Baking Soda For Acne: A Brilliant Additive For Your Skincare Routine

Can Baking Soda Cure Acne?

Although there haven’t been scientific studies backing the use of baking soda to effectively treat acne, anecdotal evidence proves that it does help minimize pimples.

It has a drying effect, an element that helps shrink the pimples and reduce inflammation.

Acne-prone people with oily skin can try using different baking soda home remedies. Because it contains anti-inflammatory properties, it can also reduce swelling and redness while soothing rashes and skin irritation. Moreover, baking soda has antiseptic properties that help reduce acne breakouts.

How Effective is This Product in Getting Rid of Acne?

Your skin has a natural pH that falls between 4.5 and 5.5. This means that your skin is slightly acidic. At this rate, your skin has room to produce healthier oils, allowing it to stay moisturized and protected from bacteria. When this pH is disrupted, it can lead to adverse effects.

The pH scale of baking soda is about 9. Any number above 7 is alkaline, while numbers below 7 are acidic. It then means that baking soda is an alkaline substance that can strip the skin of its natural oils if used excessively. Once these oils are stripped away, your skin becomes highly sensitive to environmental factors such as the sun.

Consistent use of this product can affect how quickly your skin responds to recovery. Some of the side effects likely to be experienced with too much use of baking soda include:

• Worsening of breakouts

• Dry skin

• Onset of wrinkles

• Skin irritation and inflammation 

Precautions

It is essential to understand that although baking soda is a possible home remedy for treating acne, it contains alkaline properties that can lead to skin sensitivity and irritation. Dermatologists advise patients to stick to prescriptions, milder home remedies, and over-the-counter skin products.

There is no harm in trying out remedies that could potentially reduce or eliminate acne if used with caution. Before trying out this remedy, it is advisable that you do a patch test first to find out if it is suitable for your skin.

Should you choose to use this remedy, use it in limited quantities and with limited frequency. After its application, use a moisturizer to prevent the drying effect from damaging your skin. It is advisable that you also check reviews to find out what other people have experienced after using it.

How to Use Baking Soda for Acne

Although not widely recommended for everyone, these baking soda treatments are known to manage pain and irritation caused by pesky pimples. Because it can irritate the skin when used incorrectly, dermatologists do not encourage its use.

If you choose to use baking soda treatment, do not use it daily, and be sure to apply it to your face in minimal amounts due to its alkaline properties.

Here are the different ways it can be applied to the affected area:

Face Mask

A face mask can be created by mixing about 1 to 2 teaspoons of the product with a cleanser. Add warm water to the paste, then massage it into the area affected. Leave it to sit for about 15 minutes, then wash it off.

Spot Treatment

Whip your baking soda to apply it as a spot treatment. Get equal amounts of your product and water, about 2 tablespoons each, and whip them together. Beat them until they form a paste, then apply it directly to the zits.

The solution should sit on the skin for about 15 minutes and then be rinsed off with warm water. To prevent moisture from being wicked off the skin, use a moisturizer to keep it hydrated.

Create Exfoliation

Use baking soda as an exfoliant by creating a mixture similar to that of a face mask. However, in this case, be sure to wash it off immediately after application. Use lukewarm water to rinse it off.

When you add baking soda to a facial scrub, its pore-cleaning power could be boosted by the properties present in baking soda, which help get rid of dead skin cells. You can also mix a few teaspoons of baking soda with your regular facial cleanser to boost its exfoliating properties.

Baking Soda Additives for Better Results

Before applying the solutions with baking soda as an acne treatment, clean your face using a mild cleanser. The following remedies can be used to achieve faster and better results:

1. Baking Soda and Lemon Face Mask

Lemon juice [1] is great at controlling the production of oil. It does so by shrinking the pores. It is also highly effective at reducing redness and killing bacteria. Follow this method:

• Mix both ingredients together and whip them to make a smooth paste.

• Apply the solution to your face, leaving it to sit for about 15 minutes.

• Rinse the solution off with cold water and follow it up with a moisturizer.

• Repeat this method no more than twice each week.

2. Baking Soda and Epsom Salt

Epsom salt has healing properties and is effective at reducing acne. A mixture of the two can eliminate cystic acne. Follow this method:

• Mix the two ingredients together in lukewarm water until they form a smooth solution.

• Apply it to the affected area and leave it to dry.

• Rinse it off with water and repeat this procedure once each day until the cystic pimples disappear.

3. Baking Soda and Coconut Oil Mask

A combination of these ingredients can form an excellent exfoliator, immune booster, and cleanser for your skin. Coconut oil offers your skin antibacterial properties, which can improve your overall health. Follow this guide:

• Mix the two ingredients and whip them into a smooth solution.

• Apply the paste to the affected area, leave it to sit for about 15 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

• Because coconut oil will moisturize the skin, you don’t need to use a moisturizer.