13 Ways Baking Soda Can Make You More Beautiful
It's cheap, natural, and it makes you look great. Baking soda, a product commonly used for baking and household cleaning, is gaining a prominent spot on the beauty shelf.
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a chemical salt that, in its natural form is called nahcolite. In simple terms, baking soda is mined and about a quarter of the baking soda available in stores worldwide comes from a mine in Wyoming. Much of the baking soda we find on the shelves has been processed, but there are some brands of raw, unprocessed baking soda available online and in health food stores.
Baking soda has been used by people for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used it for cleaning, just like we do today. It was also used in the process of making mummies. By the 1800s, baking soda was being processed and used as leavening in baking. Less than 200 years later, baking soda is being used in a wide variety of products, from toothpastes to laundry detergent.
So what does this mean for you? A cheap and readily available product that you can use for exfoliation, neutralizing acids, removing oils, and soothing tired skin.
13 Full Body Scrub
Did you know that some companies are using plastic micro-beads in exfoliating scrubs? Who wants to scratch up their sensitive skin with plastic? Avoid the plastic and make your own natural body scrub instead. Mix together three tablespoons of baking soda, one tablespoon of ground oatmeal (you can grind up whole oats in a blender or with a mortar and pestle), and one tablespoon of water. Take the scrub into the shower or bath and use it in a circular motion to remove dry and dead skin.
12 Anti-Fungal Face Wash
If heavy body scrubs are just too much for your face, you can make a gentle face cleaner that will also help you fight off acne. Mix together a tablespoon of honey with a teaspoon of baking soda in the palm of your hand. Gently massage the honey mixture onto your face. If the mixture is too thick, add a few drops of water to soften it up and continue to work it into your skin in a circular motion. Leave the mixture on for about 10 minutes as a face mask and then rinse it off with warm water. Pat your skin dry and moisturize your face.
11 Nail Cleaner
Dirty nails can easily be cleaned with baking soda without being too abrasive and damaging your nails. Simply make a paste out of one tablespoon of baking soda and some water. Apply the paste to your nails with an old toothbrush and gently scrub the tops of your nails. Brush under your nails to get rid of dirt and stains. When you are done, rinse your hands under warm water until all the baking soda is removed. Moisturize your hands and nails with a natural oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil.
10 Helps Soothe Sunburn
Laying out in the sun all day may have felt great at the time, but now that you are back indoors, hours later, you can feel the burning pain of sunburnt skin. To draw out some of the burn, mix together 1/4 cup of baking soda with one quart of water. Stir it until the baking soda dissolves. Soak a washcloth into the solution and dab it on your skin. When you are done, make sure to apply some aloe vera or coconut oil to your skin to help it heal and stay moisturized.
9 Skin Softening Bath
The next time you take a long soak in the bathtub, add a half cup of baking soda to the bath water. The baking soda will help remove oils and perspiration on your skin and it acts to neutralize acids. When you are finished with your soak, pat your skin dry and apply a full body moisturizer. Coconut oil is good, as well as extra virgin olive oil and avocado oil. Your skin will absorb the moisturizer better now that it is clean and your skin will feel much softer.
8 Dry Shampoo
Don't have time to give your hair a quick shampoo? No worries. You can use baking soda as a dry shampoo. All you need to do is sprinkle a small amount of baking soda onto the roots of your hair and then finger comb and tussle it out of your hair. The baking soda absorbs the oils and makes your hair ready to restyle again, if you want. You can also carry a spoonful of baking soda in a small container when you go to the gym. After a heavy workout, just give yourself a dry shampoo and you are ready to head out and move on with your day.
7 Removes Dirt From Hands
After a day of gardening or cleaning out the garage, your hands can look pretty dirty, even if you did bother to wear gloves. You don't need a heavy duty hand scrubber to get your hands clean. All you need is some baking soda. When you are ready, pour about a teaspoon or two onto your hands and a squirt of liquid hand soap. Massage your hands with the mixture until the dirt is lifted into the suds. Rinse your hands in warm water and repeat the process if necessary. Be sure to moisturize your hands afterwards to prevent drying out your skin.
6 To Whiten Teeth
Baking soda has long been used to help whiten and clean teeth. The easiest way to use it is to apply your toothpaste onto your toothbrush and then dip the brush into some baking soda, coating the toothpaste. Brush your teeth as you normally do. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Not only will your teeth look whiter, but the baking soda will neutralize bad breath.
5 Takes The Itch Out Of Bug Bites
The itch of a bug bite can drive you crazy and, if you aren't careful, you can make your skin red and blotchy from constant scratching. Get rid of the itch by making a paste out of baking soda and water. Apply the paste directly onto the bite and the itch should lessen or go away completely. If you have more than one bug bite, you can also take a damp washcloth and sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto it. Gently dab this onto the affected areas and let it dry.
4 Removes Scalp Residue
It is easy to get a buildup of product on your scalp. To remove the buildup, once a week add about a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the amount of shampoo you use and give your hair and scalp a good cleaning. The baking soda will remove the residue of any hair styling products as well as any dirt and oil. Afterwards, you hair will feel soft and clean.
3 Rids Bad Breath
Have you read the ingredients in the average bottle of mouthwash? Do you find some of the mouthwashes to be too strong and overpowering? You can skip out on the extra expense of mouthwash and simply use baking soda and water. While baking soda doesn't cover up bad breath with a mint smell, it does neutralize bad breath, tackling the source of the smell. To make a baking soda mouth rinse, simply mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water. Use it as you would regular mouthwash, swishing it around in your mouth, spitting it out, and rinsing your mouth with water.
2 Helps Rid Pimples
You may have heard of the toothpaste remedy for getting rid of a pimple. The baking soda method works even better and you won't get that minty scent on your face. Make a thick paste out of water and baking soda. Dab the paste directly onto your pimples and leave it on overnight. The paste will dry up the pimples. You may have to do this for one to three nights before the pimples are gone, but it works wonders for many people experiencing a breakout.
1 Natural Deodorant
There are a couple of ways you can use baking soda as a natural deodorant. I use it by putting about a teaspoon of coconut oil in the palm of my hand and about two pinches of baking soda. I mix this between my hands and then apply it under my arms. I've been using this method for about 3 months and have zero problems with odor and no staining on my clothes. My mother simply keeps a container of baking soda in her bathroom. After she gets out of the shower, she pats a small amount of baking soda under her arms. You can also put a small amount of baking soda in your hand and add a few drops of water to it. Apply the wet solution under your arms and you're done.
