13 Uses of Baking Soda for Gorgeous Hair and Skin: Secrets Revealed

Baking soda has been a steady pillar of home remedies since the 1900s. Most of the people know some or the other application of baking soda that is not related to cooking.

While the multitude of cleaning hacks has made baking soda quite popular in housekeeping circles, it has plenty of beauty applications as well. For example, there are many ways you can use baking soda for gorgeous hair and skin.

This inexpensive and humble ingredient often provides the simplest possible solutions to a wide variety of scenarios whether it is teeth whitening, acne troubles, or dealing with pesky dandruff.

Its versatility makes it a must-have in any home, whether you bake or not. So here are 13 uses of baking soda for gorgeous hair and skin. If you have baking soda beauty tips of your own to share, we’d love to hear about them in the comments.

Method 1: Use for Whitening Teeth

Using baking soda for whitening teeth is one of its most popular cosmetic applications. Baking soda simply acts as a fine abrasive agent that can scrub out the surface stains on your tooth enamel.

If you’re worried that it is too harsh for your teeth, use it with coconut oil for a gentle care. Coconut oil will not only provide a buffer in the form of lubricant but will also help to boost your oral health.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (acts as gentle abrasive agent) – 2 tablespoons
• Coconut oil (provides lubrication, boosts oral health) – 2 tablespoons

Step 1. Make a paste of baking soda and coconut oil

• Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda in a bowl.
• Put in 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
• Stir to mix the ingredients into a uniform paste.

Step 2. Store and use the paste to whiten your teeth

• Pour the mixture into an airtight container for proper storage.
• Put some of the baking soda–coconut oil paste on your toothpaste and brush your teeth with it for about 2 minutes.
• Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water.

Repeat 2 to 3 times a week for a few weeks or till you get the desired result.

Method 2: Use as Acne Treatment

Baking soda as an acne treatment works especially well for people with oily skin types. It exfoliates and deep cleans the skin, removing dirt, sebum, and dead skin cells that clog the pores.

As baking soda can be drying to some skin types, using it with coconut oil makes for a balanced remedy that is suitable for most skin types. Antibacterial properties of coconut oil also help deter acne.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (exfoliates and unclogs pores) – 1 teaspoon
• Virgin coconut oil (antibacterial properties) – 1 tablespoon

Step 1. Mix baking soda with coconut oil

• Pour 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil into a small bowl.
• Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to it.
• Mix the ingredients well to form a paste.

Step 2. Treat acne with baking soda and coconut oil paste

• Spread a thin layer of the paste on your face, especially over acne-prone areas with a sterile cotton ball.
• Let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then wash your face with cold water and pat dry.

Follow the remedy once a day for 1 week. You’ll start to notice a significant improvement within a few days of following the remedy.

Method 3: Use as Skin Lightening Agent

The combination of baking soda, lemon juice, coconut oil, and tea tree oil can be especially beneficial for lightening dark skin. These ingredients erase acne scars, dark spots, and blemishes, and improve the skin tone.

Baking soda sloughs off the dead skin layer while lemon juice acts as a toner and bleach. Coconut oil and tea tree oil not only restore moisture but also help keep the skin healthy by deterring potential skin problems.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (removes dead skin build-up) – 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice (tones and bleaches the skin) – 1 tablespoon
• Coconut oil (moisturizes and nourishes the skin) – ½ teaspoon
• Tea tree essential oil (keeps skin problems at bay) – 5 to 6 drops

Step 1. Combine lemon juice, baking soda and coconut oil

• Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a small bowl.
• Pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into the bowl.
• Add ½ teaspoon of coconut oil to it.

Step 2. Add tea tree oil, mix and store

• Add 5 or 6 drops of tea tree essential oil.
• Mix the ingredients well to make a smooth paste.
• Spoon the paste into a small airtight container for storage.
• Apply a small amount of the paste over the skin area to lighten it.
• Let it sit for 1 or 2 minutes, and then scrub the skin gently with your hands.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry.

Repeat the process 2 or 3 times a week for at least a month to get significant results.

Method 4: Use for Body Odor Removal

When it comes to deodorizing, baking soda does it like a pro. If you’re struggling with foul body odor, give this mix of baking soda and cornstarch a try. Cornstarch helps keep the skin dry, preventing the odor causing bacteria from breeding.

Baking soda absorbs foul odors very efficiently, which also makes it effective in deodorizing closed up spaces such as suitcases and refrigerators.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (deodorizing agent) – ¼ cup
• Cornstarch (absorbs sweat) – ¼ cup

Step 1. Combine the ingredients in equal amounts

• Put ¼ cup each of baking soda and cornstarch into a container.
• Mix the ingredients well with a spoon.

Step 2. Store and use the DIY body odor removal powder

• Spoon the DIY body odor removal powder into an old talcum powder jar for convenient storage and ease of application.
• Clean and dry the skin of the armpits and other sweat prone areas and sprinkle the DIY powder liberally to put a check on foul body odor.

Method 5: Use for Tightening Large Pores

Large pores are a genuine beauty concern for many. The problem is worse for people with oily or combination skin as large pores get easily clogged with sebum and dirt giving rise to acne and breakouts.

Clogged pores appear larger, while clean pores have a smaller appearance. While there’s no permanent solution for large pores, exfoliating, and deep cleaning your skin with baking soda can help you manage large pores on your skin.

Single-Step Treatment: Use baking soda paste to shrink large pores

• Put some baking soda into a small bowl.
• Add a little lukewarm water to make a loose paste.
• Apply the paste on the affected skin. Massage the area with your fingertips in gentle circular motions.
• Rinse off the paste with cold water to shrink the cleared pores. Pat dry and apply a light moisturizer.

Repeat once a day for 1 week. Once the situation comes under control, you may opt to repeat this process once or twice a week to maintain the small size of your pores.

Method 6: Use as Heat Rash Treatment

If the warm weather has greeted you with heat rashes, use baking soda to help you cool down. Baking soda unclogs the sweat-clogged pores and also checks bacterial growth in the rashes. It also provides relief in the painful itch associated with heat rash.

Step 1. Dissolve baking soda in water

• Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 cups of water.
• Stir well to dissolve the baking soda in the water.

Step 2. Apply baking soda compress to the heat rash

• Dip a soft towel into the bowl and squeeze out the excess liquid.
• Place the wet towel over the heat rash-affected skin.
• Hold the towel in place for 10 to 15 minutes.
• If the towel warms up in between, dunk it in the bowl, squeeze it out, and apply again.
• Follow the remedy 4 or 5 times every day till the rashes go away.

Method 7: Use for Whitehead Removal

Baking soda is very effective in whitehead removal as it addresses the problem at its root by clearing out the pores clogged with sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells.

Lemon acts as a toner and cleanser, while honey helps soothe and hydrate the skin, thus speeding up the healing.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (exfoliates and unclogs pores) – 2 tablespoons
• Honey (acts as humectant) – 1 tablespoon
• Lemon juice (toner and cleanser) – 2 teaspoons

Step 1. Combine the ingredients

• Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl.
• Pour 1 tablespoon of honey into the bowl.
• Add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to it.

Step 2. Mix well, store, and use

• Stir the ingredients well to form a smooth paste.
• Pour it into the container desired for storage.
• Massage the paste onto the whitehead-affected skin for about 2 minutes.
• Let the paste sit for 15 minutes, and then wash off with water and pat dry.
• Follow the remedy 2 or 3 times a week for 2 weeks to get rid of whiteheads completely.

Method 8: Use for Blackhead Removal

While blackheads usually don’t damage the skin, they always make the skin look unappealing. Use baking soda and sugar-based exfoliation to remove the sebum, dirt, and dead skin cell deposits that clog the pores at the skin surface and end up manifesting into blackheads.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (exfoliates and unclogs pores) – 2 tablespoons
• Granulated sugar (gentle exfoliating agent) – 2 tablespoons
• Water – 4 tablespoons

Step 1. Combine baking soda, sugar and water

• Put 2 tablespoons each of baking soda and sugar into a bowl.
• Pour 4 tablespoons of water into the bowl.

Step 2. Mix, store, and use to remove blackheads

• Stir the ingredients to mix them well.
• Pour the scrub into an appropriate container.
• Massage the scrub over the skin with blackheads for 2 or 3 minutes, and then wash it off with water and pat dry.
• Use baking soda face scrub twice a week for 2 or 3 weeks to rid your skin of blackheads.

Method 9: Use to Make Bath Bombs

Making bath bombs is a really fun project, which you can do with baking soda. It makes a great gift and comes in handy when you’re feeling like having a spa day at home. When you add the bath bombs to bath water, the citric acid reacts with baking soda and gives that cool fizzing effect.

Feel free to use almond, coconut, apricot, or even avocado oil instead of olive oil in the recipe. You can also customize your bath bombs with personalized fragrance and coloring. Micas, clays, and other natural colorants can be added instead of food coloring.

You can also use baking soda to make Vicks shower melts to get relief from congestion.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (exfoliates and unclogs pores) – 1 cup
• Citric acid (responsible for the fizzing) – ½ cup
• Epsom salt (detoxes the skin) – ½ cup
• Corn flour (exfoliating agent) – ½ cup
• Water (binding medium) – 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil (nourishes the skin) – 2 tablespoons
• Essential oil of your choice (nourishes the skin and imparts fragrance) – 10 to 12 drops
• Food color, as desired
• Measuring spoon
• Mixing bowl
• Small spray bottle
• Mould

Step 1. Mix the dry ingredients together

• Pour 1 cup of baking soda into a ceramic or glass mixing bowl.
• Add ½ cup each of Epsom salt and corn flour to it.

• Add 1/2 cup of citric acid to the bowl as well.
• Stir well to mix the ingredients thoroughly. You can also use a whisk for a more efficient job.
• Optionally, you can also sift the dry ingredients through a fine sieve for proper blending and removing lumps from the mixture.

Step 2. Mix liquid ingredients in a spray bottle

• Pour 2 tablespoons each of water and olive oil into a small spray bottle.
• Add 10 to 12 drops of an essential oil of your choice.

• Add a few drops of your chosen food coloring. Gradually, increase the amount of food coloring till you get the color you desire.
• Put the spray nozzle back on and shake the bottle several times to blend the ingredients thoroughly.

Step 3. Mix the solution with the dry ingredients

• Spray the solution into the dry ingredients a little at a time and mix thoroughly. Adding a little liquid at a time will prevent the formation of any lumps in the mixture.
• Incorporate the entire solution into the mixture in this manner.
• Take some mixture in your palms and squeeze. If it clumps together, consider your mixture ready to be put into moulds.

Step 4. Pack the mixture into moulds

• Pick out moulds of your choice to shape the bath bombs.
• Spoon the mixture into both the halves of the moulds. Pressing with the back of the spoon, pack the mixture tightly into the moulds.
• Bring the two halves of the moulds together and press them against each other to seal them shut.
• Similarly, fill up other moulds with the mixture.

Step 5. Allow the material to set for 1 to 2 minutes

• Remove any excess mixture from the rims using your fingers. Let the moulds sit for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the mixture to set in the shape.

Step 6. Extract the bath bombs and let it dry for 1-2 days

• Tap the mould lightly on both sides with the spoon to release the bath bomb from its mould.
• Remove one half of the mould. Now ease out the bath bomb from the other half of the mould into your palm.
• Similarly, extract all the bath bombs.
• Let the bath bombs dry in a well-ventilated area away from the moisture for 1 or 2 days. The drying time will vary in accordance with the local climate.
• Pack the bath bombs tightly in individual plastic wraps and store in an air-tight container.
• When stored properly, these baking soda bath bombs will last for 4 to 5 months. However, they’ll lose some of their fizz over time.

Method 10: Use as Face Wash

If you feel like ditching your current face wash in favor of a homemade alternative, which is natural and easy to whip up, this DIY baking soda face wash might be just what you need.

Both baking soda and coconut oil are known for their respective skin cleansing properties. Coconut oil also keeps the skin from drying out due to baking soda.

Essential oils are super nourishing and impart antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to the face wash, keeping skin problems at bay.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (exfoliates and unclogs pores) – 3 tablespoons
• Coconut oil (moisturizing properties) – 1 tablespoons
• Tea tree essential oil (antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory) – 8 to 10 drops
• Lemon essential oil (antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory) – 3 to 4 drops

Step 1. Combine the ingredients

• Take 3 tablespoons of baking soda and pour 1 tablespoon of coconut oil into it.
• Add in 8 to 10 drops of tea tree oil and 3 to 4 drops of lemon oil.

Step 2. Mix well, store, and use as required

• Stir the ingredients to mix them well.
• Spoon the baking soda face wash into an air tight jar for proper storage.
• For usage, take 1 or 2 teaspoons of the paste and massage onto your face with gentle circular motions.
• Wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Use as often as you would your normal face wash.

Method 11: Use as Face Scrub

This gentle face scrub recipe uses baking soda with green tea and oatmeal for a thorough exfoliation. While baking soda unclogs the pores, oatmeal gently exfoliates the skin and green tea hydrates the skin. Both green tea and oatmeal have a soothing effect on the skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (exfoliates and unclogs pores) – 2 tablespoons
• Powdered oatmeal (exfoliates and soothes the skin) – ¼ cup
• Green tea – ¼ cup

Step 1. Combine the ingredients

• Put 2 tablespoons of baking soda into a bowl.
• Add ¼ cup of powdered oatmeal to it.
• Pour in ¼ cup of green tea.

Step 2. Mix, store, and use the scrub as required

• Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
• Spoon the scrub into an airtight container for proper storage.
• Use baking soda face scrub once or twice a week to get clear and problem-free skin.

Method 12: Use to Get Rid of Greasy Hair

If the sebaceous glands in your hair go into overdrive, you end up with greasy hair that is no good for styling. Baking soda treatment can help you degrease your hair so that your mop no longer looks greasy and limp.

Baking soda also eats through the product build-up in the hair, giving you a squeaky clean feel.

Single-Step Treatment: Degrease your hair with baking soda paste

• Put some baking soda in a bowl and add some water to it.
• Mix the ingredients together to make a paste.
• Apply the paste on your scalp with a hair dye brush or simply with your fingers.
• Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with water.
• Repeat the remedy twice a week to manage greasy hair.

Method 13: Use as Dandruff Treatment

Baking soda, when combined with lemon juice, makes for an effective remedy to clear dandruff. Together, they eliminate the flakes on the scalp. They also inhibit further fungal growth in the scalp, thus preventing dandruff from returning.

Things you’ll need:

• Baking soda (prevents fungal growth)
• Lemon (eliminates flakes)

Single-Step Treatment : Use baking soda–lemon paste to treat dandruff

• Take some baking soda in a small bowl and squeeze some lemon into it.
• Let the fizzing and bubbling subside and mix the ingredients into a spreadable paste.
• Apply the paste on your scalp with cotton balls, massaging the paste into the roots.
• Let the paste sit for 5 or 10 minutes.
• Rinse the hair clean with plain water.
• Follow this remedy once a week for 1 month to get best results. People with extremely oily and itchy scalp may repeat the remedy twice a week.

Tips

• Test baking soda remedies against skin sensitivity before actually following through the remedy.
• When following the baking soda remedies that contain lemon, always put on a good quality sunscreen before going out in the sun as lemon has a tendency to make the skin photosensitive. You can also learn to make your own sunscreen at home here.
• While making bath bombs, keep all the ingredients measured and ready. Once you start mixing the ingredients, you’ll need to be quick in your efforts for best results.
• The amount of water should be adjusted with respect to the atmosphere you’re living in. Those living in a humid climate should use a lesser amount of water as too much of water will trigger the fizzing reaction making the bath bombs grow or expand.
• You can also use a glass mixing bowl. Don’t use a plastic mixing bowl as it absorbs smells. Your next meal in that bowl might end up smelling like a bubble bath!