Fans of baking will know Sodium Bicarbonate as a leavening agent that causes bread to rise. What they don’t know is that they can use baking soda for face care.
We explain the benefits of using baking soda on your skin and face. Also, a Life Advancer article would not be complete without a list of remedies for various skin problems.
What Is Baking Soda?
Sodium Bicarbonate, or Baking Soda, has the chemical formula NaHCO3. It is a salt comprising sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion. Its sodium component means that it appears as a refined white powder. This compound tastes salty and quite alkaline. A part of the mineral natron, you can find it in mineral springs.
If baking is your passion, you are probably too familiar with this ingredient. But you may not know about its medical uses. It works as an antacid to fight indigestion and heartburn.
Mixing baking soda with glycol makes it a useful gastrointestinal lavage. Doctors also use it when a patient suffers from acidosis when the blood has insufficient ions. It moves the blood plasma buffer to the left, therefore raising the pH level of the blood. Doctors also use it to treat aspirin overdoses, as it offers an acidic environment for absorption. It also acts as an antidepressant.
You may be familiar with its use for personal hygiene. Baking soda removes plaque. Studies show that toothpaste with baking soda has a better whitening effect that than one without it. You may come across it if you read the product label on your mouthwash too.
The Amazing Ways to Use Baking Soda Your Daily Face Care Routine
But the uses of this miracle ingredient don’t stop at mouthwash and toothpaste. You can use baking soda for face care too. Say goodbye to unsightly acne, chapped lips, and dark spots.
1. Baking soda for removing acne
Acne is a woman’s bane, but not if she uses baking soda for face care. This common cooking ingredient miraculously gets rid of acne and, what’s even better, prevents further breakouts. Try this concoction, but don’t use it any more if you develop an allergic reaction.
The Remedy:
Another way to use baking soda for your face care routine is to combine a teaspoon of baking soda with another teaspoon of water. Use a face wash to clean your face and apply this paste on your acne, blackheads or whiteheads.
Leave the paste on for two or three minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Note that this opens your pores, so apply an ice cube on the affected areas before using a toner to close them. Use a light moisturizer if your face feels dry.
2. Removing Blackheads
Pimples are the enemy of anyone who has oily skin. The likelihood of developing blackheads is high if your pores are large. Baking soda shrinks the pores and prevents dirt from clogging them. This remedy is simple- it requires only baking soda and water.
The Remedy:
Put a tablespoon of baking soda and put it in a spray bottle. Fill it with water and shake vigorously to combine the two ingredients.
Use a cleanser to wash your face, then pat it dry. Spray the baking soda solution on your face so that your skin absorbs it. The mixture closes the pores and removes blackheads. It works better if you store it in the refrigerator for a time.
3. Baking soda for radiant skin
Every woman knows that it isn’t easy to achieve whiter-than-white skin. Unless you manage eight hours of sleep daily and have a rigid skincare regimen, that sought-after glow is rare.
All is not lost, because natural ingredients like baking soda can rescue you. Orange juice and baking soda will earn you the title the fairest one of all. Both have collagen-boosting properties and exfoliate dead skin cells. Vitamin C in orange juice will give your skin a natural glow.
The Remedy:
Combine a tablespoon of Sodium Bicarbonate with two teaspoons of orange juice. Then, apply it evenly on your face and neck. Wash your face and leave it to dry for a quarter of an hour after application. Remove the residue with a wet cotton pad.
4. Lightening dark spots
Baking soda can remove the blemishes on your face, thanks to its bleaching properties. While this may make your eyes light up, remember that sodium bicarbonate stimulates an acidic reaction and can be harsh. Mixing it with lemon will neutralize it somewhat.
The Remedy:
Combine a teaspoon of baking soda and the juice of half a lemon in a bowl. Mix the two ingredients. Make sure that your face is slightly damp before applying the mixture to your face.
5. Eliminating dead skin cells
You can’t remove dead skin cells by washing them. The grime is challenging to lift. You’ll need an effective cleanser to do the work. Baking soda removes dead skin cells.
The Remedy:
Combine half a tablespoon of baking soda and another tablespoon of water. You’ll form a thick paste that will exfoliate the skin and prevent water from diluting it.
Apply this baking soda paste after washing your face. Do so using circular motions and avoid touching your eyes. Wash the mixture off with water and dab your skin dry. Note that it may not work on sensitive skin.
6. As a Lip Softener
Wearing long-lasting lipsticks, smoking, and exposure to the sun may darken your lips. The shade of your lips alters if you don’t look after them. Baking soda will help you retain their natural sheen. Mix it with honey to ease its harshness and moisturize your skin as well.
The Remedy:
Combine a teaspoon of honey with another teaspoon of baking soda. Mix the two ingredients and apply the paste on your lips, moving your fingers in circles. This mixture exfoliates the dead skin cells. You may use lip balm after you’ve applied the baking soda.
Warning: What Else You Should Know about Using Baking Soda on Your Face
Using baking soda topically may lead to excessive dryness. Dilute it before use to reduce its harshness, particularly if you have a skin condition. It’s advisable to ask your dermatologist before using it.
In all, baking soda is an effective remedy for face care, but use the above recipes and remedies carefully.
