Baking soda is a staple in our household. But apart from baking, it has numerous uses. Do you know baking soda comes with myriad of beauty benefits? This article will tell you about the best beauty benefits of baking soda. Baking soda is one such versatile ingredient that can make you look your best from head to toe. Scientifically known as sodium bi-carbonate, baking soda is a crystalline substance, but it appears like a fine powder to touch. It has natural antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, for which it is considered as a very effective natural ingredient for our health as well as beauty. So, without any further delay, lets find out the most amazing beauty benefits of baking soda.
# Treat Acne with Baking Soda
This is definitely one of the best beauty benefits of baking soda, specially for someone troubled with breakouts every now and then. Add some water to a tsp of baking soda and then make a paste. Apply it directly on the acne and pimples. Massage it very gently and then, let it sit on the skin for couple of minutes. Rinse it off with luke warm water. Furthermore, wash the face with fresh, cool water. Repeat everyday for the first 2-3 days and reduce the frequency to twice in a week.
Baking soda is a mild exfoliant which draws away the impurities from the skin pores and cleanses them deeply. Also, the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory beauty benefits of baking soda help to reduce the irritation and redness associated with acne. Moreover, its ability to balance the pH level of the skin plays a key role in keeping the skin free from germs and bacteria. Baking soda has drying effect on the skin, so always apply a light, non-comedogenic moisturizer after doing this baking soda treatment.
# Use Baking Soda for Pore Tightening
Try baking soda to shrink pores. Here’s how – Dilute 1 tbsp baking soda in a cup of water and then, transfer it to a clean bottle. Wash your face with a facial cleanser. Pat dry and then, apply the baking soda solution on to the face with a cotton pad and let it dry naturally. Follow up with a moisturizer. Use this special ‘baking soda toner’ every alternate day.
This is a very important beauty benefits of baking soda. Large pores not only ruins the beauty of a smooth skin, but it also triggers a lot of skin problems by attracting dirt and impurities. The astringent properties of baking soda aid in pore shrinking as well as remove excess oil and dirt from the pores to keep them clean. This in turn, helps to avoid breakouts.
# Baking Soda to Treat Sun Burn
- Frequent and prolonged sun exposure in summer increases the risk of sun burn and sun tan. Make use of the amazing beauty benefits of baking soda to soothe the skin. Take some cold water in a bowl and add 1-2 tbsp of baking soda in it. Mix well and soak a wash cloth in that solution. Wring out the excess water and place the wash cloth over the sun-burnt area. Keep it on for 5-10 minutes. This will work as a cold compress and soothe the affected skin. Do this 2-3 times in a day to get relief.
- Alternatively, you can add half of a cup of baking soda to a bath tub filled with water. Stir well and let yourself soak in the water for 15 minutes. Pat dry the skin lightly with a soft towel. Repeat this daily for few days to get relief from sun burn.
# Apply Baking Soda to Lighten Scars
Next on our list of beauty benefits of baking soda comes this one. In a bowl take 1 tsp of baking soda and add a tsp of fresh lemon juice to that. Mix both and apply this paste directly over the dark spots and acne scars. Massage for few seconds and let it sit there for another couple of minutes. Rinse it off with luke warm water and finally wash the face with fresh cool water. Repeat 2-3 times in a week.
Both baking soda and lemon juice has natural bleaching properties. When applied together, this combination helps in getting rid of the dark spots and marks from the skin. Also the exfoliating properties of baking soda and lemon juice help to shed the dark and damaged skin cells.
# Teeth Whitening with Baking Soda
- Sprinkle some baking soda on the tooth paste and then use this to brush your teeth. Keep on brushing for couple of minutes and repeat once daily until you get satisfactory results.
- Alternatively, you can make use of this beauty benefits of baking soda by making a homemade tooth whitener. Mix together 4 tbsp turmeric root powder, 2 tsp baking soda and required amount of extra virgin coconut oil to prepare a paste. Use this paste daily to brush your teeth and see the result.
# Baking Soda for Skin Lightening
- Mix together 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp aloe vera gel and few drops of rose water to prepare a paste. Apply it as a face pack all over the skin and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Gently massage the skin while removing the face pack and then, wash the face thoroughly with fresh water.
- Take 2-3 fresh strawberries and mash them by putting them in a blender. Add a tsp baking soda and few drops of lemon juice to the mashed strawberries. Mix all the ingredients. Apply it on the face, and wait for 5-7 minutes before rinsing off.
- Alternatively, prepare a mixture by mixing together 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp oats and 1 tsp honey. Apply it all over the face and neck. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then scrub the face gently while removing the mask. Wash off thoroughly.
# Use Baking Soda to Get Rid of Dark Lips
- Mix baking soda and water and prepare a paste. Apply this on to the lips and then gently massage the lips in circular motion. Make sure to be very gentle otherwise you might hurt your lips and also end up with bleeding lips. Rinse off, pat dry and then apply a lip balm.
- Combine 1 tsp each of honey and baking soda and make a smooth paste. Apply this on the lips and keep it on for couple of minutes. Now gently exfoliate the lips with the help of your fingertips. Wash off. Repeat 2-3 times in a week.