Beauty Secrets: 7 Skin Benefits of Baking Soda

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Sodium bicarbonate more commonly known by its household name, baking soda, is an inexpensive kitchen staple used in making baked goods. In the advent of DIY projects and the internet, we have come to know that baking soda is much more than that.

This multi-purpose wonder is used as an alternative for expensive products, harsh cleaning chemicals, and even skin beauty treatments. The maintenance of our natural skin surface pH is important as it helps in warding off microorganisms that could cause skin problems, notes Health24. This comes as no surprise because baking soda has proven its versatility time and again in its capability to neutralize a substance from being too acidic nor too alkaline.

Here's a list of 7 baking soda beauty tips and secrets that could be beneficial to your skin regiment:

1.) Exfoliant

Exfoliation is important in keeping our skin healthy. To create your own baking soda scrub, mix 2-3 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Rub gently in skin to exfoliate and rinse clean. You can also add oatmeal for a deeper clean.

2.) Soothe Itchiness

Whether you have insect bites, afflicted by poison ivy/oak or have certain dermatological conditions, baking soda can soothe the itchiness and irritation away. Mix baking soda with a little water to make a paste and dab it to bite/itchy areas. Adding half a cup of baking soda to bath water can also help individuals with psoriasis, notes Health.

3.) Organic Face Wash

According to How Stuff Works, you can replace your expensive facial cleansers with baking soda face wash by mixing 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water to make a paste. Use warm water to moisten your face before applying the paste. Gently rinse and pat dry.

4.) Remove Splinters Naturally

Prevent the splinter from getting deeper into the skin by digging around using tweezers. Huffington Post recommends making a paste out of baking soda and apply on splintered skin and cover with a bandage. Give it a day or two before pulling out with tweezers.

5.) Soften Cuticles

Rejuvenate and soften tired, yellowing nails with a solution made from equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Use a nail brush if needed.

6.) Foot Scrub/Soak

Treat tired feet with a relaxing foot scrub/soak mixture made from baking soda. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda in a basin of warm water. Soak your feet for 10-20 minutes. Adding essential oils is optional.

7.) Sunburn Home Treatment

Get that much-needed sunburn relief by making a cool compress from a soft cloth soaked in baking soda and cold water.