The Secret to Gorgeous Skin and Hair Can Be Found in Your Pantry—Here’s DIY Ways to Use Baking Soda
From radiant skin to thicker-looking hair and a brighter smile, the kitchen staple works wonders
Looking for an easy, affordable way to refresh your skincare routine? Say hello to baking soda! This humble kitchen staple isn’t just for whipping up cookies—it’s a secret weapon for glowing skin. From gently exfoliating dullness to reducing sweating and even nixing foot odor, baking soda for skin is a game-changer. But before you start scrubbing, it’s important to know how to use it the right way to avoid irritation. If you’re ready to unlock its beauty benefits, keep reading to discover expert-approved tips for making baking soda work wonders in your beauty lineup.
Baking soda uses for skin
Baking soda for skin: Enlivens a dull complexion
Our natural skin cell turnover rate decreases as we get older, causing layers of dead, dry skin to accumulate. But to get skin glowing in no time, try a DIY face scrub made with baking soda. Unlike many common chemical exfoliants, baking soda is not acidic or rough, so it’s the perfect scrub for sensitive skin, says Austin, Texas dermatologist Ted Lain, MD. “It won’t cause scratches or burning.” Instead, the mildly abrasive powder gently whisks away dead cells while balancing the skin’s pH so skin isn’t too dry or too oily.
To do: Mix 2 Tbs. of baking soda with 2 Tbs. of water until a paste forms. Then massage into damp skin using circular motions for one minute and rinse. Repeat two to three times a week for radiant flake-free skin in as little as two weeks.
Baking soda for skin: Banishes rough heels + foot odor
No matter, if it’s sandal season or not, dry, rough skin, can crop up on heels any time of year. To the rescue: Soaking feet in baking soda. The natural alkalinity of baking soda helps break down tough skin, while the warm water softens built-up layers of dry skin. Plus, baking soda’s antibacterial properties reduce the bacteria that leads to foot odor so feet are left smelling great.
To do: Fill a basin with warm water and add ½ cup of baking soda. Soak feet for 15-20 minutes, then pat feet dry. Use a foot file, loofah or pumice stone to remove dry skin. Finish by applying lotion to feet to lock in moisture.
Baking soda for skin: Limits sweating
Bothered by pesky sweat stains that show through clothes? New York City dermatologist Marnie B. Nussbaum, MD, suggests applying baking soda to skin. The pantry staple helps wick away moisture, so your skin will stay dry longer. Plus, baking soda kills the odor-causing bacteria that lurk on warm, damp skin—a benefit that can keep you smelling fresh and clean for up to 24 hours per application.
To do: Shake 1 Tbs. of baking soda onto a washcloth, then mix in a little water to make a paste. In the shower, scrub onto skin (focusing on sweat-prone areas like underarms, breasts, skin creases and feet) for 1 minute; rinse well. One caveat: Baking soda can sting if it gets into nicks and cuts, so avoid this treatment immediately after shaving.
Bonus beauty uses of baking soda
Read on for even more ways to add baking soda to your beauty routine.
Baking soda whitens teeth
To brighten up the smile without pricey teeth whitening, New York City cosmetic dentist Lana Rozenberg, DDS, recommends whipping up a paste made with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. How it works: Mily abrasive baking soda scrubs off stains, while hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient in over-the-counter whitening products that breaks stains apart.
To do: Combine 2 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide and 3 tsp. of baking soda. Brush onto teeth for two minutes, then rinse with water. Repeat twice a week. Tip: Avoid using more than twice a week since overuse can weaken enamel and lead to worse stains in the future.
Baking soda volumizes hair
It can be frustrating to spend time styling your hair only for it to fall flat the second you step outside, especially when it’s humid outdoors. What can help: Sprinkle baking soda into your regular shampoo. The pantry staple cleans the scalp to remove any product buildup and excess oils that can weigh strands down. Plus, it gives hair some grit to prop strands up and off of the scalp once hair is dry for added va-va volume.
To do: Add a quarter-size amount of baking soda to a dollop of shampoo. Use once or twice a week as needed.
Baking soda brightens yellow nails
A decrease in blood circulation and cell growth in our 50s causes nail beds to take on an aging yellow tinge. Pair that with the use of dark polishes and it’s a recipe for major discoloration, says celebrity nail artist Miss Pop. Her advice: Try a scrub made with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and lemon. When combined, the baking soda’s sodium bicarbonate, hydrogen peroxide’s oxidizing agents and lemon juice’s citric acid work together to gently strip and lift stains from the nail bed while the scrubbing action buffs nails for a shiny finish.
To do: Mix 2 ½ Tbs. of baking soda, 1 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tsp. of lemon juice into a paste. Apply to nails and scrub with a soft-bristle toothbrush for 5 minutes, then rinse. Repeat twice a week as needed.
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