Acne is caused when pores of hair follicles get blocked by dirt, oil and dead skin cells. It invariably starts as a mild outbreak. If left untreated, it can become severe and cause scars. Using the right treatment for acne is important. One of the best home remedies is baking soda for acne. Baking soda makes a great exfoliating scrub, cleanser or mask, is easily available in stores and can be used on all types of skin. It is meant to treat mild types of acne only.
Benefits of Baking Soda for Acne
Baking soda is a simple acne medication. Benefits of baking soda for acne include:
- Lightens scars
- Inexpensive
- Prevents outbreaks of acne
- Easy to use
- It does not stain hair or bleach clothes
- It can reduce the size of pimples quickly
- Reduces oil on the skin
- Softens skin
Baking soda serves as a base or acid as it is an amphotetic chemical compound. Due to this, it can neutralize pH balance of the skin. A pH imbalance leads to outbreaks of acne. Baking soda also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, it can reduce swelling, pain and redness of acne lesions. Another benefit of baking soda for acne is that it has antiseptic properties. Hence it can protect acne lesions from further attack by the P.acnes bacteria, therefore preventing more serious infections. Since it can exfoliate the skin, it removes dead skin cells from the top layer, revealing healthy skin.
Baking soda as a cleanser
Make a paste using 2 tablespoons of baking soda with lemon juice. This is a cleanser and it can be gently applied on the face morning and evening. While baking soda removes dirt, lemon juice tightens pores and purifies the skin. If you want an astringent effect then replace lemon juice with tomato juice. Cleanse the neck and face area with this cleanser, wash way and then apply a special oil-free moisturizer.
Baking soda as a mask
Just use water and baking soda, make a paste and apply on the face as you would any facial mask. Your skin must be wet when applying the mask. Let it dry for a few minutes (at least 10) and then rinse with cool water. Another simple home facial mask can be made using oatmeal (2 teaspoons), baking soda (1 teaspoon) and water to form a pasted. Follow the same timing and cleansing routine.
Baking soda, honey and milk combine to make a good homemade mask to treat acne. Take 1 teaspoon each of milk and baking soda. Add to this two tablespoons raw honey. Coat the skin and wash off with warm water after 10 minutes. Baking soda for acne is a great tonic for the skin and reliable too.
Baking soda as an exfoliating scrub
Baking soda for acne can be used as an exfoliating scrub as it is gentle and does not irritate the skin but is coarse enough to clear dead skin cells that clog pores. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a mild cleanser. Make a thick paste and massage on the skin two or three times a week. This keeps the skin fresh, glowing, smooth and tight. Make sure you do not scrub very hard and use a moisturizer after the scrub is used.
Another excellent scrub is to mix baking soda and distilled rose water. Rose water soothes the skin and has astringent properties. Take 2 teaspoons baking soda; mix enough rose water to forma paste. Wash your face and then smear the paste. You can use this for spot treatment and on very oily areas like the nose or forehead. Gently scrub the skin and leave for 10 minutes after which you can wash with lukewarm water.
Precautions while using baking soda
The only disadvantage of baking soda for acne is that it dries the skin. Hence, use the right moisturizer each time you use baking soda as a cleanser, mask or scrub. Choose a moisturizer for acne –prone skin. Make sure you always wash your face before using baking soda to remove all dirt, makeup and oil. This makes the remedy more effective.