Baking soda, how women would love thee if they only knew all you can do for them. In case you didn’t know, this white powder is a naturally occurring component of the mineral natron. It can be found in countless mineral springs and it used to be called aerated salt, like a few hundred years ago. Humans have been harvesting and using it for a long time. In fact, its healing and detoxing properties are one reason why baths in mineral springs were popular back in the day and why spas literally sprung up around them for the rich and well-heeled.
These days, you don’t have to travel to Switzerland to get the skin and beauty benefits of trace amounts of the stuff in a natural mineral spring—you can just go to the grocery store and buy a box. And you should! Because baking soda will transform your beauty life, possibly your skin and definitely your beauty budget. You can toss away so many masks and expensive bath salts, and so many other prettily packaged, costly beauty products.
The Great Exfoliator
How many products on the market claim to exfoliate your skin? From little beads in body wash to face wash to masks, they all say your skin will be renewed. After you use baking soda to exfoliate, you’ll understand all other claims are overblown. Your skin will feel tight, your pores will be visibly smaller, and your skin will feel like a baby’s, promise. Just mix baking soda and water until a paste forms. Gently rub on your skin in a circular motion and rinse.
Anti-Acne Mask
Instead of scrubbing to exfoliate. Apply the paste you’ve made as a mask. Let sit for 10 minutes. Baking soda will draw out impurities, and even helps remove blackheads. Once per week will rid your skin of common breakouts. Trust.
Tooth Whitening
Strips and pastes at the drugstore to whiten teeth are expensive. And forget about getting it done at the dentist, you don’t want to look like one of those creepy TV hosts whose teeth look like they’re electric. You dip your damp toothbrush directly into the powder or sprinkle some on top of your toothpaste. Scrub stains away.
Dry Shampoo
Granted, if you have dark hair, this might be a tough sell. But for blondes and light brunettes, no need to spend money on dry shampoo when you’re in between washing. A mix of baby powder and baking soda sprinkled on your brush before you pull it through your hair will have that extra oil and grease absorbed in no time.
Product Buildup
Add baking soda to your shampoo before you shampoo as normal. You’ll be getting rid of all that product buildup. Perfect after your hair has done bridesmaid duty under a helmet of hair spray.
Relieve Sunburn Itching and Irritation
Just soak a washcloth in cold water that’s been infused with baking soda and press it on your burn. Relief is at hand. A lukewarm bath with half a cup of baking soda is one way to relieve skin that’s been burned in more than one place. It happens.
Get Healthy Nails and Cuticles
If you’ve got a nail brush or an old toothbrush laying around and a box of baking soda, you’ve also got the potential for great nails and cuticles. Rub the brush (dipped in baking soda) on your nails for a thorough clean. Its natural antibacterial properties also treat nail fungus. Just apply a baking soda and water paste, leave on for ten minutes twice per day until the fungus is gone.
Deodorant
Because of its ability to absorb oil, smells, cleanse and fight bacteria, it’s no wonder baking soda can also be used as a deodorant. How to apply? Dip a kabuki brush in the powder. If you want it to smell nice, just add a drop of your favorite essential oil.
