Baking soda is one of those ingredients that virtually everybody knows about and keeps somewhere in their home. Aside from the obvious baking uses, baking soda is an incredible cleaning agent, and your best friend for beauty hacks! If you love effective skin and beauty care without all the toxins, then this is the place for you. Keep reading to learn about the 10 ways to use baking soda as a beauty product.
1. Excellent Exfoliant
We know that countless skincare and beauty products are loaded with chemicals and we hate that. So, we’re constantly on the hunt for something organic and natural. The problem we’re usually faced with is… the price one must pay for organic and natural. It’s not a secret things that are better for you are often more expensive. Well baking soda costs a couple of bucks and stays fresh forever. Plus, with so many other things you can use it for, it’s quite the investment anyway.
So you’ve purchased your baking soda, now what? How do you use it as an exfoliant? It’s so easy, and there are countless ways to mix it into an exfoliating product. You can try the most basic kind- mix water with baking soda to form a thick paste. Take a quarter sized amount and gently rub the paste into your skin. Massage your face, try to avoid the eye area, and then rinse off. You’ll want to moisturize as usual.
If you miss the delicious scent of your favorite cleanser, then just add a bit of that cleanser into the mix! The baking soda mixture will still work just as well to exfoliate, and your face will smell amazing when you’re done. You can also add a bit of Vitamin E oil into the mix, or even coconut oil. Like I said, countless ways to mix.
2. Under Arm Darkness Remover
Who doesn’t hate under arm darkness? It makes us feel awkward and insecure, but don’t think for one second that you’re the only one! This is much more common than you’d think. Just because the models in the magazines have it photoshopped off, doesn’t mean you’re some kind of freak.
Baking soda has bleaching properties that help even out skin tone. Baking soda actually even reduces excessive sweating and oil production, which contributes the the darkness. That being said, you could even use it as an antiperspirant.
OK, this recipe is just as simple as the facial exfoliating recipe was. You take water and baking soda, and combine it into a thick paste. Now slather it on and massage it into your pits. Don’t wash it off just yet, let it soak in for about 30 minutes while you add some pics to your Instagram. You can also add lemon juice to your paste for a lovely scent. Lemon also has skin lightening properties.
3. Acne Zapper!
An acne treatment too? Absolutely! To make an pimple zapping spot treatment, combine water with baking soda to form a thick paste. Dab the paste onto your problem area(s) and do not rinse for 15 minutes. Why does this work? Well baking soda has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Say good-bye to that pimple!
4. Teeth Whitener
If you’re not excited about the cost of whitening products on the market, get your hands on some baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This teeth whitener will literally cost you close to a whopping $2.00. I know, right? Why didn’t you do this sooner? Combine the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to form a thick paste. Apply a pea sized amount onto your toothbrush, and brush your teeth for 3 minutes. Rinse well. See a brighter smile, it’s as simple as that.
Of course this isn’t going to be the tastiest experience ever, thanks to the saltiness of the hydrogen peroxide. You can add a mint oil to the mix, or combine it with your favorite whitening toothpaste for a minty fresh taste and smell.
5. Hair Clarifying Treatment
If you use shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gel, mousse… I can go on, then you probably have some build up in your hair. If you’re a regular swimmer, you probably have some amount of chlorine build up, too. Baking soda can be used as an effective hair clarifying treatment, too! Just keep a bit of baking soda in your shower, and when you wash your hair, add some baking soda into your shampoo, lather on, and rinse. You don’t even need to use shampoo for this to work. You can simple sprinkle on some baking soda into wet hair, lather, and rinse, and it’ll clarify your hair just the same.
6. Make up brush & sponge cleaner
This has got to be the cheapest makeup brush, sponge, and applicator cleaner in the universe. All you need is a bowl, water, and of course baking soda (1/2 cup to be exact). Put your dirty makeup applicators into the mixture, and let them soak for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes is up, take the applicators out, rinse them with water, and towel dry. They’ll need to air dry before you can use them.
7. Blackhead remover
Combine water and baking soda to make that famous paste, and apply onto your nose. Massage the mixture into your pores for 3 minutes, rinse with warm water, and gently towel dry. If you do this at least once per week, you’ll see a huge difference. Blackheads be gone!
8. Skin softening face mask
You can make a fun skin brightening face mask in just seconds with baking soda! Combine baking soda with orange juice, and make a paste! Apply the mixture on your skin and rub gently in circular motions, cleaning out your pores. Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes, and rinse with warm water. The citric acid will exfoliate the skin and shrink pores while the vitamin c rejuvenates and brightens your skin!
9. Under Eye Circle Remover
The same water and baking soda paste can work wonders for your under eye circles. Make sure to dab the paste on instead of rubbing it in, because you’re not trying to exfoliate your under eye area. Keep the paste on for 10 minutes and gently rinse with warm water, and you should see a skin brightening effect.
10. Freshens Breath
Baking soda eliminates odors, so try this easy breath freshening trick with baking soda! All you need is warm water and baking soda. Combine the water with baking soda in a bowl and gargle the mixture in your mouth and throat for a few minutes.