Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPossible BenefitspH of Baking SodaDisadvantages and RisksAlternatives

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Possible Benefits

pH of Baking Soda

Disadvantages and Risks

Alternatives

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A person washes their face after using baking soda as a scrub

Benefits of Using Baking Soda in Your Skin Care Routine

Baking soda is slightly abrasive and can be used as a scrub for your face or body toexfoliatedead skin cells and remove excess oil and surface debris from skin.It also has antibacterial properties, which may be beneficial.

To use baking soda as a cleanser or face mask, mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda with 1 teaspoon of warm water until a paste forms. Gently scrub your face and rinse, or leave the paste on for five to 10 minutes as a mask.

What Is Baking Soda?“Baking soda” is the household name for sodium bicarbonate (molecular chemical formula: NaHCO3).Sodium bicarbonate is a crystalline salt found in nature. It’s sourced from nahcolite deposits that form in evaporated lake beds and other natural formations.Nahcolite deposits are found in several Western states and in parts of Mexico, Kenya, and other countries.

What Is Baking Soda?

“Baking soda” is the household name for sodium bicarbonate (molecular chemical formula: NaHCO3).Sodium bicarbonate is a crystalline salt found in nature. It’s sourced from nahcolite deposits that form in evaporated lake beds and other natural formations.Nahcolite deposits are found in several Western states and in parts of Mexico, Kenya, and other countries.

“Baking soda” is the household name for sodium bicarbonate (molecular chemical formula: NaHCO3).Sodium bicarbonate is a crystalline salt found in nature. It’s sourced from nahcolite deposits that form in evaporated lake beds and other natural formations.

Nahcolite deposits are found in several Western states and in parts of Mexico, Kenya, and other countries.

What Is Baking Soda’s pH Level?

The pH of a substance is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Substances with a pH under 7 are acidic. Substances with a pH value over 7 are basic (alkaline). Baking soda is slightly alkaline, with a pH that ranges from 8 to 9.

Healthy skin, including the skin on your face, has aslightly acidic pHthat ranges from 4 to 6.5.Skin’s natural acidity helps reduce bacterial growth and buildup on its surface. Alkaline substances may reduce skin’s acidity, leaving it vulnerable to bacterial overgrowth.

Baking soda’s alkaline nature makes it beneficial for household cleaning, eliminating mildew, and absorbing bad odors. As its name implies, it is also used in baking.

Otheruses for baking sodainclude reducing stomach acid andwhitening teeth. Research indicates that it may be beneficial for the commercial removal of pesticides from the surface of fruits, like apples.

Since baking soda is alkaline, it may dry out facial skin.If you use baking soda on your face, make sure to follow your cleansing routine with anoncomedogenic moisturizer(one that will not clog pores).Depending on your skin type, you should only use baking soda once or twice weekly to avoid drying it out.

The alkaline pH of baking soda may also make it easier for bacteria associated with acne to grow on the skin.

If you are willing to take the risk, you can experiment on your own to see if baking soda is helpful. You can also ask a healthcare provider or a specialist, like a dermatologist if baking soda is a good choice.

Alternatives to Baking Soda for Your Face

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends topical treatments and medications for acne, such as:

Summary

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a natural substance sometimes used to cleanse the face. It may have benefits as an exfoliant or cleanser, but its alkaline pH level may make it too drying or irritating for the skin. If you wish to try baking soda as a cleanser or facial mask, experimenting with additional ingredients, like coconut oil, may reduce these effects.

Evidence about baking soda’s benefits for conditions like psoriasis is lacking. There is also limited to no scientific evidence indicating it reduces acne breakouts or lightens dark spots.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arm & Hammer.How to do a baking soda facial.American Chemical Society.The science of baking soda.Mazzarello V, Piu G, Ferrari M, Piga G.Efficacy of a topical formulation of sodium bicarbonate in mild to moderate stable plaque psoriasis: a randomized, blinded, intrapatient, controlled study.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(3):497-503. doi:10.1007%2Fs13555-019-0302-5National Center for Biotechnology Information.Sodium bicarbonate.Acne.org.Does the pH of your cleanser matter?American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: diagnosis and treatment.

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arm & Hammer.How to do a baking soda facial.American Chemical Society.The science of baking soda.Mazzarello V, Piu G, Ferrari M, Piga G.Efficacy of a topical formulation of sodium bicarbonate in mild to moderate stable plaque psoriasis: a randomized, blinded, intrapatient, controlled study.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(3):497-503. doi:10.1007%2Fs13555-019-0302-5National Center for Biotechnology Information.Sodium bicarbonate.Acne.org.Does the pH of your cleanser matter?American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: diagnosis and treatment.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Arm & Hammer.How to do a baking soda facial.American Chemical Society.The science of baking soda.Mazzarello V, Piu G, Ferrari M, Piga G.Efficacy of a topical formulation of sodium bicarbonate in mild to moderate stable plaque psoriasis: a randomized, blinded, intrapatient, controlled study.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(3):497-503. doi:10.1007%2Fs13555-019-0302-5National Center for Biotechnology Information.Sodium bicarbonate.Acne.org.Does the pH of your cleanser matter?American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: diagnosis and treatment.

Arm & Hammer.How to do a baking soda facial.

American Chemical Society.The science of baking soda.

Mazzarello V, Piu G, Ferrari M, Piga G.Efficacy of a topical formulation of sodium bicarbonate in mild to moderate stable plaque psoriasis: a randomized, blinded, intrapatient, controlled study.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(3):497-503. doi:10.1007%2Fs13555-019-0302-5

National Center for Biotechnology Information.Sodium bicarbonate.

Acne.org.Does the pH of your cleanser matter?

American Academy of Dermatology.Acne: diagnosis and treatment.

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