All the Benefits of Baking Soda + Is Baking Soda Good for Skin?

According to SAEDNEWS, Baking soda has numerous benefits for the skin. For example, it is often used as a skin whitening agent, although baking soda does not have a direct whitening effect. However, it does a lot to keep the skin clear and beautiful.It exfoliates dead skin cells, opens up pores, keeps bacterial infections at bay, and removes blemishes, all of which contribute to brighter skin.

Uses of Baking Soda for Skin

Baking soda has many properties for the skin, including the following:

- Relieving Itching and Dry Skin

Dry skin and itching should not be ignored, especially when the weather is hot. Take a warm bath (not too hot to worsen the condition), add half a cup of baking soda to the water, and apply it to your body.

This will smoothen the skin and relieve the itching. During summer, you can also try a cold bath with baking soda to soothe sunburn or insect bites.

- Exfoliation with Baking Soda

One of the most important properties of baking soda is its ability to cleanse the skin of the face and body. If the skin is left dry, it can become dull and gray, with dead cells accumulating on the surface.

To remove these cells and beautify the skin, exfoliation once a week is necessary. You don’t need to buy an expensive exfoliant. You can make your own homemade scrub using baking soda.

Mix three parts baking soda with one part water to create a paste, then gently rub it onto your face. When rinsing with warm water, make small circular motions with your fingers.

The same formula you used for your face can also be applied to your body: one part water, three parts baking soda.

You can also use this scrub to elevate your at-home manicure and pedicure. Let your hands and feet soak in a basin of baking soda water for about 10 minutes.

- Natural Antiperspirant

If you have sensitive skin, you can use some baking soda powder as a deodorant. Baking soda is neutralizing to acids and bases, which helps eliminate odors. It also doesn’t stain your clothes like many antiperspirants.

- Soothing Razor Burn

Razor burn can be very irritating. To soothe your sensitive skin, mix one cup of water with one tablespoon of baking soda and apply it to your skin. Let it dry (about 5 minutes), then rinse with cold water. This formula can be used before or after shaving.

- Whitening Hands and Feet with Baking Soda

A baking soda mask can help whiten the face and body. Additionally, if you have blemishes from sunburn, baking soda is a natural alternative to chemical creams.

Whitening Teeth

To whiten your teeth without using products that contain chemicals, sprinkle some baking soda on your palm. Dampen a toothbrush and dip it into the baking soda, then clean your teeth for about one minute.

Note: Baking soda should not be used as a substitute for toothpaste because toothpaste contains fluoride, which is essential for preventing cavities.

However, before using it, consult with your dentist.

Drawbacks of Baking Soda for Skin

If baking soda is used excessively on the skin, it may cause the following issues:

- Removes Skin’s Natural Acid

Healthy skin is slightly acidic. This acidic barrier helps form a protective layer and is important for the overall health of the skin.

Washing with baking soda can strip the skin’s natural protective oil, alter its pH, and disrupt the natural bacteria that help prevent infections and acne. This could result in skin that is prone to infection and breakouts.

- Sensitivity

In some people, baking soda can irritate the skin. The thing is, most people don’t know they are sensitive to baking soda until they start using it directly on their skin.

- Excessive Exfoliation

Exfoliating properly can even out skin tone and make your skin look better, but it’s easy to overdo it.

Excessive exfoliation can lead to redness, acne, irritation, and dryness. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends leaving enough time between exfoliation treatments to prevent irritation, or avoiding it altogether if you have sensitive skin.

How to Use Baking Soda

To soothe sunburn or skin itching, add baking soda to your bathwater or make a paste of baking soda and water to apply to your skin for relief from burns or insect bites.

Despite its many benefits, always consult with a dermatologist before using baking soda to avoid any adverse effects.