Baking soda, the inexpensive humble ingredient in every kitchen cabinet, is a powerful tool that can solve your beauty problems.
Baking soda carries antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which balance the pH level of skin to make it smooth, soft and radiant and bring freshness. It is also a powerful medical tool effective in combating everything, from cold to oral problems to skin issues when used for short period. Apart from cooking and cleaning, baking soda also has amazing beauty benefits which can help you look the best from head to toe. Shahnaz Husain tell you how to incorporate this important ingredient in your beauty regime.
Baking soda, also known as soda bicarb or sodium bicarbonate, has so many uses that it can be called a wonder ingredient. Besides relieving problems of digestion, removing odour, treating rashes, itching and even stings, baking soda can also be used for beauty treatments.
It is known to prevent body odour. During the hot and humid season, body odour can form easily due to perspiration. To remove odour, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply under the arms. You can also add lemon juice to this paste. Leave on for 10 minutes and wash off with water. Or, mix a little baking soda with your talcum powder and apply under the arms, or on the feet.
Baking soda is also useful for oily skin and problems related to it, like blackheads, pimples and acne. Mix a little water with bicarbonate of soda and make a paste. Apply this on areas with blackheads and open pores. Wash off after five minutes. This not only reduces oiliness, but also cleanses the pores. It has a slight skin-peeling effect, which helps in the removal of blackheads. In other words, it helps in exfoliation, removing dead skin cells. But it has a mild and gentle effect and does not cause skin irritation. It can also be applied on acne prone skin to help dry the eruptions.
Where beauty treatments are concerned, baking soda can also help reduce blemishes, dark marks and acne scars. It should be mixed with lemon juice into a paste. The skin should be dry. Apply the paste on the affected areas and massage gently. Then leave it on for two minutes and wash off with warm water. Rinse the face again, using cold water. Do this twice a week. If the skin feels dry, mix one teaspoon pure glycerin with 100 ml rose water. Keep in a closed bottle in the fridge. Use a little of this mixture to relieve dryness. It does not clog the pores of an oily skin.
You can also make a facial scrub with baking soda for oily skin, to prevent blackheads and acne. It also has a deep pore cleansing effect. Take a tablespoon of baking soda and two teaspoons oats. Add a tablespoon of water. Rinse the face with warm water. Then take the scrub and rub gently on the face, using circular motions. Then wash the face with warm water ending with cold water. This can be done twice a week for oily skin with open pores and blackheads.
For weekly skin cleansing, baking soda can be mixed with fresh orange juice into a paste. Apply the paste on the face and leave on for 10 minutes. Then moisten with water and rub gently. Wash the face with cold water. Do this once a week. It helps to remove dead skin cells and brighten the skin. It also helps to delay ageing.
Baking soda can also be used as a natural remedy for the removal of stains on the teeth. Take some baking soda and use it to rub on the teeth, like a tooth powder. There are so many miraculous natural ingredients that it is best to go nature’s way for beauty treatments.
