One inexpensive ingredient that is present in nearly every kitchen and that can do wonders on your skin, hair and body is baking soda. Baking soda is chemically called sodium bicarbonate. It is a crystalline substance that appears usually as a fine powder. It is alkaline in nature and has antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. The various benefits that baking soda has on your skin are discussed here.

How to Use Baking Soda for Skin Care

1. Face Whitening

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tsp. baking soda
• 1-2 strawberries, mashed
• 1 tsp. juice of lemon

Method: Mix lemon juice, mashed strawberries and baking soda well. Apply this mixture to your face. Leave it for 2 minutes. Now rub your skin gently with fingers for 1 minute. Rinse with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a dry washcloth and apply some moisturizer. Try this recipe once a week for best results.

2. Skin Exfoliant

Baking soda acts as an excellent skin exfoliant due to its alkaline nature and grainy texture. It helps in stripping off dead skin cells from the face. You can try the following recipe for best results:

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. baking soda
• 1-2 tsp. water
• 2 tbsp. oatmeal
• Few drops of coconut oil or vitamin E oil

Method: Mix all the ingredients to form a paste. Apply this paste on your face. Leave it for a few minutes. Now scrub your face with the ends of your fingers for 2 minutes in circular motion gently. Rinse with lukewarm water. Pat dry and apply some moisturizer.

3. Even Skin Tone

Is your skin tone uneven due to causes such as dark spots, acne scars or freckles? You can utilize baking soda for skin to even your skin tone.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 tsp. baking soda
• ½-1 tsp. aloe vera gel
• ½ tsp. rose water

Method: Mix all the ingredients well to form a smooth paste. Apply this paste to your affected area of the skin. Leave it for 4-5 minutes. Rub using fingers in circular motion gently for around 1-2 minutes. Rinse using warm water. Pat dry and apply some moisturizer. Repeat the procedure 1-2 times per week.      

4. Sun Burn Relief

Baking soda has a very soothing and calming effect on sunburn skin due to its alkaline nature. Here is a method to make a cool compress out of baking soda to use it on your sunburn.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 tsp. baking soda
• Wash cloth
• 1 glass cold water

Method: Add 2-3 tsp. of baking soda to the cold water. Mix well. Soak a clean wash cloth in the water mixed with soda. Remove the cloth from the water. Wring the wash cloth to remove excess water. Place this wash cloth on the affected skin for around 3-5 minutes. Repeat the process, if required. You can use this cool compress of baking soda 2 times a day to soothe your skin.

5. Skin Rashes Relief

Baking soda has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It can relieve swelling and itching associated with skin rashes. Hence, you can use baking soda for skin rashes.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. coconut oil

Method: Mix baking soda and coconut oil to make a paste. Apply the paste to the skin rashes. Leave for 4-5 minutes. Rinse with water. Pat dry with a clean cloth. Repeat the process after a couple of hours if required. You can apply this paste 2 times a day.

6. Acne Scar Removal

If you have developed acne scars on your skin, you require some water and baking soda. Baking soda will help exfoliate the dead skin and reveal new fresh skin that is without scars.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. baking soda
• 2-3 tbsp. water

Method: Mix water and baking soda to form a runny liquid paste but it should also be thick enough to be applied on face by your fingers. Apply the paste on the affected skin. Cover all the scars well. Leave it for 4-5 minutes. Rinse with water. Pat dry with a washcloth.

Tips for Safe Use of Baking Soda

However, baking soda for skin is effective when it is used for short duration. Excessive use of baking soda can actually damage your skin. Moreover, before using it, you should perform a patch test to find out your skin's sensitivity to it.

If any unusual adverse effects are noticed by using baking soda, immediately stop using it. Some of the common side effects after using baking soda in people with sensitive skin are itchiness, smarting, tingling or painful skin. For some people, the skin becomes drier and is more irritable.

Following are a few important tips that you should follow when using baking soda on skin:

• Don't scrub using baking soda on the area of the skin that is sun burned.
• Never apply it on a sore or cut as baking soda may cause irritation of the skin due to its alkaline nature.
• Always apply sunscreen when going out in the sun after scrubbing with baking soda as the skin can become sensitive and red due to scrubbing.
• Don't use baking soda around your mouth and eyes to protect the thin and delicate skin present there.
• If baking soda gets into eyes while using mask or scrub, immediately splash cold water.
• Always use the baking soda of best quality for skin care.
• Massage gently while using baking soda as massaging with pressure can cause irritation of the skin.