Fast Facts about Baking Soda
Baking soda is a kitchen staple, which means you don’t need to worry about rushing to the nearest grocery store to buy one because chances are, you already have one at home. It also goes by the name of sodium bicarbonate, has zero odor, has a crystalline white solid appearance, and is used by the health and food industries. It is usually found in mineral springs in different parts of the world, and the best part is, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Yay for inexpensive skin treatment!
Baking Soda as a Treatment for Skin Problems
For decades, baking soda has been used to treat skin problems because it doesn’t contain chemicals, it’s natural, and it has anti-bacterial properties. It functions as an effective exfoliant that sloughs away dead, dry, and flaky skin that causes a wide array of skin problems, namely blackheads and acne.
You can use baking soda for:
Skin Cleanser
Since baking soda is alkaline, it is effective in removing debris and sebum on the face. It unclogs pores, gets rid of excess oil and deep seated dirt to keep the pores from clogging.
Exfoliation
The fine granule structure and physical exfoliates of baking soda makes it effective in removing dead skin cells without causing any irritation.
Blackheads
Baking soda contains anti-fungal and ant-bacterial properties that effectively treat infections. It also loosens the skin around the blackheads making it easy to extract them.
Acne Treatment
The antimicrobial and anti-bacterial properties of baking soda helps lighten acne scars and fight off acne. Since baking soda has an alkaline nature, it restores the pH balance of the skin which is usually the number one cause of acne.
Treatment for Various Skin Conditions
When baking soda is mixed with some water, it forms a paste that can be used to treat rashes, insect bites, allergies, and skin exposed to poison ivy/oak. It provides immediate relief from discomfort.
Baking Soda Recipes:
- Basic Baking Soda Mask:
To make the basic baking soda mask, you will need baking soda and water. Put one and a half cups of baking soda and one tablespoon of water in a clean bowl and mix both ingredients until it has a paste-like consistency. Gently massage the paste on your skin and let it dry for five to ten minutes. Wash it off with warm water, and then pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Apply a gentle moisturizer after.
- Baking Soda Tea Tree Oil Mask:
Pour one tablespoon of fresh orange or lemon juice in a bowl. Add 1/3 cup of baking soda, and two tablespoons of tea tree oil. Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Massage the baking soda tea tree oil mask on your face for five to ten minutes. Rinse it off with warm water, pat your skin dry with a soft towel, and then apply a gentle moisturizer.
- Baking Soda Orange Juice Mask:
Blend one tablespoon of orange juice (no pulp) and one tablespoon of baking soda. Apply the baking soda orange juice mask on your face and rinse it off with warm water after twenty minutes. Use a soft towel to pat your skin dry and then apply a gentle moisturizer. If there’s no orange juice available, you can use grapefruit or lemon juice as an alternative.
- Baking Soda Coconut Oil Mask:
Follow a 1:1 ratio when mixing coconut oil and baking soda. Massage the coconut oil and baking soda mixture over the acne or scarred skin and leave it there for five to ten minutes. Rinse it off with warm water after.
- Baking Soda Honey Mask:
To make the baking soda honey mask, mix two teaspoons of honey, one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and two tablespoons of baking soda. Wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser before applying the mask. Leave the mask on you face for fifteen minutes before washing it off with warm water. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel, and then apply a gentle moisturizer.
- Baking Soda Oatmeal Mask:
In a clean bowl, mix one teaspoon of baking soda and two teaspoons of oatmeal. Add some water and mix until it forms a thick paste. Apply the mixture on your face using upward strokes to keep the skin from sagging. Leave the paste on your face for five to ten minutes, rinse with warm water, and then pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Apply a gentle moisturizer.
Before Applying the Mask:
While it’s safe to use baking soda since it’s non-toxic, there are still somethings that you must take note of:
- Apply baking soda on a small area of your skin to check if your skin is sensitive to it. If you feel a stinging or burning sensation within five minutes, rinse it off with cold water immediately.
- If you have tender or raw skin (after shaving), avoid applying baking soda because this will cause a temporary stinging or burning sensation.
- If you have cracked skin, open blisters, burns, or wounds, don’t use baking soda.
- If your face has a sunburn, avoid applying baking soda.
- If baking soda enters your eyes, immediately wash it with cold water.
