Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda is a white chemical compound mostly used in cooking and baking as a leavening agent.
Plus, being an antiseptic, it is included in several personal hygiene products as well to prevent infections and remove foul odors.
In terms of beauty, it works as a gentle exfoliant and facial cleanser. It serves as an inexpensive beauty treatment for acne and breakouts. Moreover, baking soda unclogs the pores, deep cleanses the skin and helps regulate the pH balance.
It can be used to soothe itching, redness, and dryness associated with eczema and psoriasis. In addition, it improves skin’s elasticity and hence prevents wrinkles and fine lines. However, when applying baking soda on skin, do not leave it for a long time or else, it may cause dryness.
When used on hair, it can work as a dry shampoo as it removes excess oil and absorbs odors, thereby getting rid of smelly hair. Plus, it can help remove product buildup from hair sprays, conditioners, mousses, etc.
Baking Soda for Beauty
- • Treat acne and blackheads by applying a paste of three to four tablespoons of baking soda and about a teaspoon of water on damp skin. Leave it for a minute and then rinse it off.
If your skin feels dry, follow up with a mild moisturizer. Moreover, you can exfoliate your skin with a mixture of lemon/orange zest and a quarter teaspoon of baking soda. However, in case you have sensitive skin, then avoid using these remedies.
- • Cleanse your face and neck with a combination of one teaspoon each of baking soda and plain yogurt. It helps maintain youthful skin and prevent wrinkles.
- • Applying a facial mask prepared by mixing one tablespoon each of orange juice and baking soda is beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin.
- • Simply scrubbing a thick paste of three parts of three parts of baking soda and one part of water on your elbows and feet to remove rough skin. It can be used on face as well.
Here’s a video showing how to use baking soda for natural acne treatment.
- • Soaking in bath water mixed with half a cup of baking soda for 15-30 minutes can make you feel refreshed and revitalized. During winters when the skin is itchy, you may add a cup of baking soda and 1.25 cups of baby oil in the bath water.
- • Add two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of table salt in a tub filled with warm water. Put your feet in this tub and clean them by scrubbing. To soften the cuticles of nails, just scrub the fingernails and toenails with a nailbrush dipped in baking soda.
- • Mix a quarter teaspoon of baking soda in a drop of olive oil and rub it gently on your lips about once in a week to cure dry, rough, and cracked lips. Follow up with a drop of vitamin E oil or a petroleum jelly.
- • Add two tablespoons each of baking soda, manuka honey, and a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil to make a paste. Massage this recipe onto your face and wash it off with lukewarm water after about five minutes to exfoliate your skin.
- • Rinsing your mouth with a solution of a cup of water mixed with a teaspoon of baking soda helps whiten your teeth and relieve bad breath.
Besides, you may just sprinkle baking soda on your toothbrush and then gently rub it on your teeth to whiten them. Follow this easy trick about once a week.
- • When dealing with dull and discolored hair due to chlorinated pool water, rinse your tresses with a pint of water mixed with half a teaspoon of baking soda.
- • Adding half a teaspoon of baking soda in your shampoo and then washing your hair with this mixture followed by a conditioner is useful in getting rid of product buildup from your hair.
- • Baking soda also works as a natural antiperspirant. Hence, dusting it under your arms can help absorb perspiration and neutralize body odor.
Furthermore, it is also used as an antacid to relieve indigestion and heartburn due to acidity. When using baking soda though, do not confuse it with baking powder.
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