Sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda, has many uses in the beauty and health category. It can be used as deodorant, toothpaste and even in a number of home remedies for skin exfoliation.

Acne develops when growth of bacteria and the cells of your skin clump together causing a swollen pimple. Not only does acne cause major cosmetic concerns for many people, but it can also be quite uncomfortable.

Several skincare authorities have touted exfoliates to be part of an effective acne treatment and prevention regimen. Everyday household ingredients can be used in making exfoliating paste made from baking-soda. Simple home-made facial masks made with baking soda can help you deal with the acne trouble.

Is Baking Soda Effective in Treating Acne?

Baking soda is amphoteric which means that it has the ability to either act as a base or acid. This characteristic makes it a useful pH neutralizing chemical compound. It corrects the pH imbalance of the skin that contributes to acne formation. What's more, baking soda has mild anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that enable it to lessen the irritation caused by inflamed acne. Most importantly, baking soda has individual particles that are rounded and hard and also form fine powders thus making it a mild exfoliate.

How to Use Baking Soda to Treat Acne

Some people claim that skin pH imbalance can be caused by using baking soda long-term. As a result, bacteria growth, which plays a major role in occurrence of acne, is promoted. Treating acne depends on a number of factors since not all treatments, depending on the condition of your body and extent of acne, this baking soda remedy will not work for all patients. When using baking soda to treat acne, you should first test the skin. If the acne worsens and no positive results are experienced even after using it long-term, discontinue its use and seek advice from a dermatologist. They'll advise you on how to deal with it.

1. Baking Soda Mask

Benefits

• Remove oil. You can use baking soda mask to remove oil over-secretion from your skin as you work to have the pimples on the face dried. If you have an oily face, you are also recommended to use oil free moisturizers twice daily i.e. morning and at night.
• Fight blackheads. A baking soda mask will minimize acne over time thanks to its ability to remove blackheads. Blackheads have bacteria that cause acne and excess oil which is trapped in pores of your skin. This mask is gentle on many skin types and even though it may cause a stinging sensation, this treatment that has been in use for ages.

Ingredients

• Baking soda (not powder)
• Clean water

Directions

• Step 1: Clean Your Face. Clean the face using a clean face towel and peanut butter or some warm water then dry the face well.
• Step 2: Prepare the Baking Soda. Take eight teaspoons of sodium bicarbonate and pour it inside a cup. You can go for Hammer or Arm baking soda even though any other type will do.
• Step 3: Add Some Water. Take some water (half as-much) and pour it into the cup.
• Step 4: Stir the Mixture. Take a spoon and stir the mixture. If it has excess water, add some baking soda, but if it is dry add some water. Ensure the mixture is creamy and soft i.e. not too thick or too light/thin.
• Step 5: Apply the Paste. Once you have a smooth consistency, apply it to the pimples with clean hands.
• Step 6: Wait. Once all pimples have been covered, leave the mask on for about 15mins or until the paste dries.
• Step 7: Rinse off the Paste. After the 15 minutes are done or the paste has completely dried off, rinse the hardened paste off.
• Step 8: Moisturize. Pat dry your face gently using a soft hand-towel. Afterwards, apply oil-free moisturizer to the neck and face. This will ensure that pH is balanced, and the needed moisturizer is added to your skin.
• Step 9: Repeat Twice a Week. Do this twice a week until the pimples have disappeared.

Warnings: Baking soda may over-dry your skin and that is why you need to moisturize soon after. You may experience burning or stinging, dryness or/and itchy sensations. If you have skin that cannot handle the face mask, kindly rinse it off as soon as possible then apply oil-free moisturizer to have the skin hydrated and moisturized.

2. Other Ways to Use Baking Soda for Acne Skin Care

• Baking Soda Bath. Add 100grams or half a cup of baking soda to your warm bath water. This will refresh your skin especially if you have been exposed to swimming pool-water that has been heavily chlorinated. Baking soda bath also prevents breakouts that are caused by pseudomonas skin infections. You can also loosen blackhead skin at the back by having a sponge bath mixed with water.
• Baking Soda with Shampoo. Add 2-3 grams of baking soda to your bottle of shampoo to get rid of volumizer and mousse thus reducing acne at the hairline on the forehead.
• Baking Soda to Relieve Sunburn. Mix 120ml of some cool water with 15 grams of baking soda can help slow down pigment formation in your skin and also relieve sunburn.

Warnings: You should be careful when using baking soda because it may cause uncomfortable sensations such as burning and stinging. To be on the safe side, you should test it with your hands before using it. Baking soda is suitable for your daily use. However, if your skin is very sensitive, avoid using it regularly.