Baking soda can help get rid of pimples by absorbing acne-causing oils and by exfoliating dead skin cells that clog skin pores. While baking sodau2019s effectiveness is disputed, there are a variety of ways you can use it to clear up your skin. Remember that you may require to use baking soda for a couple of days before you start seeing an improvement. Also, baking soda may irritate some peopleu2019s skin, and it can interfere with the skinu2019s pH. Here is how to use baking soda for acne and a look at whether it has any adverse side effects.
What is Baking Soda?
Baking soda skin care uses
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is mostly used by people in the kitchen when whipping up pancakes, bread, and other delicious baked goods, but it also has plenty of other uses, too. It acts as a mild disinfectant and is itu2019s pretty potent stuff. So the question remains whether baking soda should be used as an acne treatment?Acne occurs when the pores become clogged with sebum produced by the body. This blockage can cause microorganisms to grow and pimples to appear. Baking soda is a favorite natural remedy for acne breakouts.
Acne usually appears on the face but can also be found around the neck, chest, and back. While it is usually not a serious condition, pimples can hurt and be bothersome and can have a drastic impact on a personu2019s self-esteem.Baking soda is one home remedy to treat acne. However, due to its alkaline properties, it can influence the pH balance of the skin and cause dryness and sensitivity. Dermatologists do not recommend using baking soda for acne, and instead, they advise sticking to prescribed medicines, over-the-counter goods, and milder home treatments. If a person chooses to apply baking soda for acne, they should limit both the quantity and frequency of use, and moisturize their skin after each application.
Is it safe to use baking soda in acne treatment?
The notion of using baking soda for acne elicits mixed reactions. This is mostly because everyoneu2019s skin is unique and what some peopleu2019s skin might bear, othersu2019 might not. Baking soda is harmless to use on the skin. However, it is good to exercise caution and conduct a patch test before you apply it to a large area of your skin. If you encounter any burning, itching, or redness, baking soda might not be for you.
Is it safe to use baking soda in acne treatment?
Now that we know that baking soda is a safe ingredient to use letu2019s look at the perks it offers when it comes to dealing with acne. Baking soda has anti-inflammatory qualities that help ease swelling and redness. It not only helps relieve flare-ups, but also soothes rashes, irritation, and sunburn. It is a physical exfoliant. Itu2019s fine particles effectively dislodge dirt and dead skin. It also results in relatively less irritation than most exfoliators while being more efficient.
Using it not only helps battle and prevent acne, but it also lessens acne scars and pigmentation. Baking soda helps absorb the excess sebum from your skin. This, in turn, dries out the zits and blemishes, helping them heal quicker. A paste made of baking soda, which is usually applied to the skin, is alkaline. This helps because your skin becomes very acidic during a breakout. Baking soda resolves this problem by neutralizing the pH levels.
Baking Soda side effects
- very dry skin
- early onset of wrinkles
- acne breakouts worsening
- irritation and inflammation of the skin
- sensitivity to natural elements such as the sun
How to use baking soda for acne?
Baking soda may help decrease acne breakouts and control pain and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic attributes. People can use baking soda for acne in several different ways like:
Baking soda as a face mask
To create a face mask, combine between 1 and 2 teaspoons of baking soda with a facial cleanser of your choice and add a small amount of warm water to make a paste. Massage into the affected section and leave on the skin for 10u201315 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Baking soda as an exfoliant
Make the same mixture as for the facemask, but wash it off right away after application. You can also add it to a facial scrub to boost its pore-cleansing power and remove dead skin cells.
Baking soda as a face wash
To make a baking soda facial wash, add a maximum of 2 teaspoons of baking soda to your favorite facial wash. Apply this to the face and wash off with warm water. Baking soda can cause skin dryness, so apply a hydrating moisturizer immediately after use to help prevent dry skin and tightness. Whenever you are using baking soda for skincare, ensure you use a fresh box. Baking soda from a box that has already been opened might be contaminated by other things, which may cause harm to the skin.
Baking soda as a pimple spot treatment
Some people opt to use baking soda to target specific pimples that appear. This baking soda spot treatment helps counterbalance the pH of your skin. It dries off the pimples, shrinking them and allowing them to heal faster. Remember to moisturize after use to reduce the risk of the skin drying out
Baking Soda For Acne remedy recipes
Baking Soda For Acne
- 2 tbsp of baking soda
- 2 tbsp of water
- Non-comedogenic moisturizer
Combine the baking soda with the water to get a smooth paste. Wash your face well with a cleanser and pat it dry. Apply the paste onto the affected areas as you would a spot treatment. Let it sit for 15 minutes and rinse off with cool or lukewarm water. Finish off by applying moisturizer. You can apply this remedy on alternate days.
Lemon Juice And Baking Soda For Acne
Lemon juice helps regulate the oil production in your skin while reducing your pores. It also assists in killing off bacteria and reduce skin redness. Be careful as lemon juice can sometimes make your sensitive in the sun. Make sure to use your sunscreen.
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Non-comedogenic moisturizer
Mix the baking soda with water and lemon juice into a smooth paste. Clean the face and pat it dry. Apply the paste to your face in a thin layer as you would a mask. Wait15 minutes and then rinse off with cool or lukewarm water. Apply this 2-3 times a week.
Honey And Baking Soda For Acne
Honey is a humectant that restricts moisture to your skin. It also has bleaching properties that help fade the scars left behind by acne. This mask helps prevent acne and fade scars to give you clear skin.
- 1 tbsp raw honey
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- Non-comedogenic moisturizer
- Warm washcloth
Mix the baking soda and honey to get a smooth paste. Wash your face and pat it dry. Apply the paste to the affected areas like a spot treatment. Place a warm washcloth on your face and wait for 5 minutes. Once cooled, use it to wipe off the baking soda treatment and rinse your face with cool water. Apply this mixture 2-3 times a week.
Coconut Oil And Baking Soda For Acne
The coconut oil helps to dissolve all the excess oil in your skin while the cleanser and baking soda work to reduce them. This cleanser helps purify your skin and kill off bacteria, helping you fight acne.
- Facewash
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Non-comedogenic moisturizer
Take a coin-sized amount of facial cleanser and to it add the baking soda and coconut oil. Rinse your face with water and use this mixture to massage your face gently. After youu2019ve massaged your face for a couple of minutes, and once your face feels clean, wash off the cleansing mixture with cool/lukewarm water. Pat your face dry. Finish with a non-comedogenic moisturizer. Apply this 2-3 times a week.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and Baking Soda for Acne
While the baking soda exfoliates your skin and drys out your acne, the ACV helps maintain the pH balance, keeping the baking soda from making your skin too alkaline. It also helps shrink your pores.
- 1 tbsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Washcloth
Combine the baking soda with the water to get a paste. Clean your face and pat it dry. Apply the paste to the affected areas like a spot treatment. Leave for15 minutes and then rinse off with cool or lukewarm water. Finish by applying a moisturizer. The following day, soak a cloth in the apple cider vinegar. For sensitive skin, dilute the ACV with water. Dab the vinegar onto the afflicted areas of your skin. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with cool/lukewarm water. Use it on alternate between the baking soda and apple cider vinegar remedies every day.
Acne might be pretty widespread, but thatu2019s no reason to deal with it with so many treatments available! Try out these baking soda remedies to help fight the problem. If you are stuck, a visit to a dermatologist can save the day.
