7 Ways to Add Baking Soda on your Beauty Routine

Anyone who tries to live an eco-lifestyle probably already knows about the mighty powers of baking soda.

This handy white powder deodorizes refrigerators, unclogs plugged drains, relieves itchy bug bites, cleans tough spots everywhere from the kitchen to the bathroom and makes cakes, bread and other baked goodies uber light and fluffy.

It almost seems as if there’s more that this pantry essential can do than what it can’t. One area that you may not have considered in which baking soda works its eco-magic wonders is in the realm of beauty.

There’s something to be said for organic beauty products, but if you’re feeling the pinch of a tight budget (and who isn’t these days?) homemade beauty products may be the way to go.

Enter baking soda. Get spiffed up from head to toe with these seven ways to use baking soda in your beauty routine.

1Quickie hair cleaner
Remove product buildup from all that stuff you slather on your hair (shampoo, conditioner, styling products) with baking soda.

How To: Simply wash your hair with about ½ cup of baking soda and warm water once every two weeks.

If your hair feels too dry after using this method, add ½ cup vinegar to the concoction. It might not smell as good as your shampoo (okay… it’s not going to smell good at all), but this mixture’s bubbling power will easily get rid of grimy buildup.

2
Natural dry shampoo
On those days when you just don’t have time to shower (courtesy of hitting the snooze button one too many times), baking soda can remove grime and oil from your hair in a snap.

How To: Sprinkle one to two tablespoons of the powdery lifesaver into your greasy roots. Scrunch it in, and then use a fine bristled brush to comb the powder out. Instant freshness.

3Face wash and makeup remover
Slough off the day’s griminess and what’s left of your morning makeup with baking soda.

How To: Simply shake a small amount of the powder into your cupped palm. Add a few drops of water, and then scrub away in gentle circular motion.

Be careful around your eyes, as it will sting if you get any of the mixtures in them. Rinse thoroughly when you’re done.

4 Baking soda bath
Skip the bubbles and fancy bath salts—all you need is baking soda.

How To: Sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda into a tub filled with warm bath water. Soak away the day’s stresses for 15-30 minutes. The baking soda will leave your skin refreshed and silky smooth.

Or you can check my other post about Detox Foot soak here.

5 Pedicure
No need to pay for a fancy-schmancy pedicure. Pamper yourself with a homemade pedicure starring baking soda.

How To: Immerse your tired tootsies in 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make the mixture smell nice. (Try lavender if you’re going for ultimate relaxation.) Soak your feet for 15-20 minutes.

Next, scrub trouble spots, such as the heels and balls of the feet, with a mixture of baking soda and just enough water to form a paste. This paste will remove rough areas and dead skin.

6Teeth whitener
Get your pearly whites gleaming with a little help from baking soda. Check the tutorial here.

How To: This is another option: Mix together 6 teaspoons baking soda, 1/3 teaspoon salt, 4 teaspoons glycerin and 15 drops of peppermint or other breath-freshening oil.

Dip a toothbrush in the mixture and scrub away at your choppers for a brightening boost to your smile.

7 Face mask
One of my all-time favorite treatments when my skin is going crazy is this Lemon, Honey and Baking Soda mask.

I love this mask because it’s natural, inexpensive, and very effective. Lemon helps to brighten your overall complexion and help fade dark spots, baking soda gently exfoliates and softens skin, and honey is a natural antibacterial agent that contributes to heal, soothe and even moisturize the skin.

How To: Mix 1/2 halves of lemon juice, 1 tbsp baking soda, and 1 tsp honey together in a small dish. You should end up with a paste-like consistency. If it’s too runny, add a bit more baking soda.

Smooth the mixture over your mug and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse it off and enjoy your creamy skin. Close your pores! Use the coldest water you can stand on your washcloth, and pat it across your face. Pat dry. Moisturize with your favorite moisturizer.