While you’ll typically use this common household product for cleaning up the house or baking sweet treats, baking soda has become a popular albeit controversial ingredient for DIY skin care.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This alkaline substance can help balance out the pH levels of your skin and is a well-known ingredient in cleansers, exfoliants, and DIY masks for treating acne. Its gritty texture makes it an excellent physical exfoliant that removes the dead skin cells, oil, and grime that clog pores.
But with so many acne-fighting ingredients available, what makes baking soda worth incorporating into your skin care routine?
In this article, we look at the benefits and risks of using baking soda for treating acne, and teach you a simple DIY face mask recipe.
What are the benefits of baking soda for the skin?
Exfoliates skin
Baking soda has a gritty texture that is naturally abrasive, which makes it a powerful physical exfoliant. When used as an exfoliant or in an exfoliating facial mask, the fine granules help remove dead skin cells that trap excess oil and grim the lead to breakouts. It helps clear up clogged pores and leaves your skin feeling smoother. Baking soda is quite harsh on its own, but it can be diluted with water or lemon juice and applied as a paste.
Absorbs excess oil
Acne is caused by a buildup of oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that block the pores, leading to bacterial growth and inflammation. Baking soda acts as an astringent that can effectively cleanse the skin, remove excess oil, tighten pores, and even get rid of blackheads, which makes it great for preventing acne breakouts and treating oily skin.
Antimicrobial
Due to a lack of scientific research, there is little evidence that can confirm the effectiveness of baking soda as an antibacterial agent to treat acne. However, one study noted the antifungal activity of baking soda against superficial infections, which may help inhibit bacterial growth that leads to skin infections such as acne.
Calms acne
Baking soda has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can soothe inflammation and pain from acne breakouts. It’s especially beneficial for congested, acne-prone skin. Aside from acne, baking soda can also help improve other skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis.
Baking soda face mask recipe
If you have acne-prone skin, this simple baking soda face mask can help alleviate congested skin. The exfoliating effect can also rejuvenate dull skin and get rid of blackheads. Best of all, it only needs two ingredients.
The beauty of DIY masks is that you can customize them according to your skin type and concerns. By adding other simple ingredients, such as honey or lemon juice, you can increase the benefits for your skin.
A few drops of lemon juice will add a dose of vitamin C, which can brighten your skin, fade acne scars, and even out your skin tone. Citric acid acts as a chemical exfoliant that can remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. Lemon juice also has antibacterial properties that can help fight and prevent acne.
Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can fight acne and soothe inflamed acne blemishes. This has a healing effect that rejuvenates the skin, which is especially beneficial for repairing your skin after harsh acne treatments. Honey is also a humectant that pulls moisture in. It’s incredibly hydrating for the skin and can help combat the dryness caused by baking soda.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of water
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey (optional)
- A few drops of lemon juice (optional)
Directions:
Wash your face. A facial cleanser will get rid of the oil, dirt, and grime on your skin and prepare your skin for masking.
In a small bowl, combine the baking soda, water, and lemon juice and mix until it forms a smooth paste. Adjust the ratio accordingly. If the mixture is too thick, add more water, and if it’s too thin, add more baking soda. Just avoid using more than two teaspoons of it.
With clean hands, apply the paste to your skin. Use soft, circular motions to gently massage it into your face and exfoliate your skin. Leave the baking soda mask on for 10 minutes. You may feel your skin tighten or experience mild tingling sensations. Don’t worry, this is perfectly normal.
Rinse off with warm water and pat your skin dry with a washcloth. While your skin is still slightly damp, apply a moisturizer that is best suited for your skin type to keep your skin hydrated.
What are the risks associated with baking soda masks?
Sodium bicarbonate was approved safe for use in cosmetics and beauty products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. However, baking soda face masks can cause discomfort and other side effects.
The skin barrier is naturally slightly acidic, as this helps retain moisture while keeping bacteria away. When the skin’s pH level becomes too acidic, there’s a higher chance of getting inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne and eczema. One of the most effective ways to treat acne is to balance your skin’s pH levels, which an alkaline like baking soda can do.
Baking soda is an alkaline with a pH level of nine. Some skincare professionals advise against using baking soda because it can affect the skin’s natural pH balance, which is typically between four and six. This imbalance can cause dryness, irritation, inflammation, and other skin problems.
How to safely use a baking soda face mask
Using baking soda on the skin comes with some risks. If you’re willing to try it out, there are a few precautions you can take to avoid experiencing any side effects.
Before applying any baking soda treatments, it’s best to perform a patch test. Apply the baking soda mixture on a small area of skin and leave it on for ten minutes. Rinse off, then wait 24 hours to see how your skin reacts. Discontinue if you notice any redness, itchiness, or other negative reactions in your skin.
Baking soda can be used as an exfoliating mask, but remember that it can be overly abrasive. Apply it gently to carefully exfoliate without damaging your skin. Mixing it with water, lemon juice, or other ingredients can make it gentler on the skin.
Apply a moisturizer immediately after washing off your baking soda face mask. Regardless of whether you have normal or oily skin, a moisturizer will help combat the drying effect of baking soda and ensure your skin barrier stays healthy.
A moisturizer with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid or lactic acid, works well with baking soda because they are more effective at low pH and can help restore your skin’s pH balance. They are humectants, which pull in moisture and increase hydration in the skin. Keeping your skin moisturized can prevent skin irritation.
Baking soda works best on oily skin, but its drying nature may be too harsh on other skin types. Those with dry skin should avoid using baking soda altogether.
Using baking soda too often can leave your skin dry, irritated, and vulnerable to infection, so use it in moderation. Baking soda face masks should be limited to one or two times per week. Alternatively, you can use baking soda as a spot treatment every so often.
