There are many household uses for baking soda. The ingredient is often used in baking for its ability to react with an acid to create carbon dioxide gas, which creates “fluffiness” in the finished recipe.
Despite its many culinary applications, baking soda on the other hand can help your skin in many ways. Here are five beauty uses of baking soda.
1. DIY all-natural deodorants
Baking soda can absorb odours to work effectively as an underarm deodorant, thereby reducing body odour. Being an antibacterial agent, it also helps kill bacteria that give rise to body odour.
Combine 1 tbsp of baking soda and 1 tbsp of lemon juice until you get a smooth paste. Apply it on areas where you sweat excessively. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and then proceed to wash the mixture off in the shower. Use it regularly to fight body odour.
2. Facial scrub
A paste of baking soda and water makes a natural exfoliator for the face. Just make a paste by adding a little water to a tablespoon of baking soda and massage in to the face for 10-20 seconds before rinsing with warm water. Baking soda is extremely alkaline therefore it isn’t recommended to use often.
3. Fights acne and pimples
The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of baking soda helps treat the cause as well as reduce the symptoms of acne and other breakouts.
Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a little water to make a paste. Apply it on the affected skin for 1 to 2 minutes. Rinse it off with cold water. Repeat once daily for 2 or 3 days, then reduce the frequency to 1 or 2 times a week.
4. Improves skin complexion
If you want a brighter and even skin tone, baking soda is an easy and inexpensive solution.
It is a good exfoliating agent that helps remove dead cells. In addition, it balances pH level of the skin, which is very important to maintain even and clear skin.
- Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda with enough filtered water or rose water to make a paste. Apply the paste on your face. Allow it to sit for 1 minute, then gently rub it off using only the tips of your fingers. Finally, wash with lukewarm water and pat dry to reveal brighter skin. Follow this remedy 1 or 2 times a week only. Make sure to moisturize your skin after using baking soda.
- Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and fresh lemon juice along with 4 or 5 drops of extra-virgin olive oil. Apply this paste on your face. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse it off with cold water. Repeat 2 or 3 times a week.
5. Brightens your teeth
Baking soda is great for making your pearly whites shine. It works as a mild abrasive to remove yellow stains from your teeth. On top of that, it helps remove plaque by neutralising acids produced by the bacteria.
Read also: Natalie Portman’s Ultimate Skin Care Tips To Beat Acne Skin
– Cover Image: paleoplan.com
