Here’s the truth about using baking soda for homemade acne treatments
We bet you currently have at least one package of baking soda stored in your kitchen. Whether it’s in the pantry waiting to be mixed into your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe or sitting under the sink ready to be used as part of a homemade cleanser, there’s no denying that baking soda wins out when it comes to versatility. However, contrary to what you may have heard, there is one area where baking soda isn’t appropriate: your face.
According to anecdotal evidence, baking soda has been used as a homemade mask or spot treatment for acne. However, according to top dermatologists Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, and Annie Gonalez, MD, adding this ingredient to your skincare routine can do more harm than good. To get the facts straight, we asked the experts what they think about using baking soda to fight acne.
Here’s how to use baking soda safely, as well as its benefits and possible side effects when used on your skin.
Meet the Experts
Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City who specializes in non-invasive cosmetic rejuvenation treatments.
Annie Gonzalez, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Glossense Dermatology and Aesthetics in Miami.
What is baking soda?
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a compound with alkalizing properties and is technically classified as a salt, Nussbaum explains. The alkalizing effect is important when using baking soda in skin care and acne, Gonzalez notes, but by the same token, baking soda also helps neutralize internal and external acidic substances.
Baking powder
Ingredient type: Exfoliant
Potential benefits: Exfoliation, anti-inflammatory properties, and helps balance the pH of oily skin.
Who should use it: Only people who are strapped for cash and don’t have access to products with ingredients specifically formulated to fight acne, like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, should use it, Nussbaum warns. It’s also generally a better choice for oily skin types, but even then, it can be problematic, Gonzalez adds.
How often you can use it: No more than once a week.
It works well: Just mix it with water for a spot treatment.
Don’t use it with: Because baking soda can be very drying, don’t use it with other skincare ingredients that can cause drying, such as retinoids or acids.
There’s no denying that baking soda can play a role in many at-home beauty treatments, not to mention that it’s a very affordable ingredient for these uses. It’s a potential physical peel; it can replace dry shampoo in a pinch and is ideal for foot baths. It can easily be turned into toothpaste and is a key ingredient in many natural deodorants (both DIY recipes and ready-made versions). You get what I mean. But when you use baking soda on your face to fight acne, things start to get a little tricky and you need to tread carefully.
Benefits of Baking Soda for Acne
There are a few; otherwise there wouldn’t be countless articles praising it as a natural way to fight acne. Check out some of the notable benefits below:
Exfoliation: Nussbaum says baking soda’s slightly grainy texture means it has an exfoliating effect. Peels are a way to prevent clogged pores and prevent blackheads, pimples, and red pimples from forming.
Is anti-inflammatory: Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties, according to Gonzalez. That’s why it’s often found in many over-the-counter topical products designed to soothe minor skin irritations like insect bites and rashes, she notes. That’s why it can also help soothe red, inflamed breakouts, she adds.
Can help balance pH for oily skin: To put things into perspective, let’s start with a quick refresher from school chemistry class: The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic, and anything above 7 is alkaline. Our skin is normally acidic, with a pH between 4 and 6.1. “This is a healthy level that retains moisture while keeping out bacteria and pollution,” Gonzalez explains. “However, if your skin is more acidic than normal, it can lead to overproduction of sebum (the skin’s natural oil), which can clog pores and cause acne,” adds Nussbaum. In this case, Nussbaum says, the alkaline nature of baking soda can help balance the skin, returning it to a healthier pH.
Potential Side Effects
Nussbaum warns that because baking soda is so alkaline (it has a pH of around 9), it can easily disrupt the skin’s natural pH, over-stripping the skin’s natural oils and causing dryness, irritation, and inflammation. Gonzalez warns that disrupting the skin’s pH can also lead to premature wrinkles and eventually even worsen existing acne.
In short, baking soda has the benefits mentioned above, but there’s a fine line between the benefits mentioned and quickly entering skin-irritating territory. That’s why both doctors we spoke to warned against using it as part of a homemade acne treatment.
Applications
If you still want to test baking soda, remember that first and foremost, the oilier your skin is, the less likely it is to have problems. In other words, if you have a naturally dry and sensitive complexion, this is definitely not for you. Second, small, infrequent uses are safest. Nussbaum recommends mixing about two teaspoons of baking soda with enough water to create a paste-like consistency and using it as a targeted spot treatment for blemishes only. To be clear: Do not apply it to your entire complexion as a mask. Leave it on for five to 10 minutes, then gently rinse with warm water — and don’t do this more than once a week, Nussbaum says.Since it also has the potential to dry out the skin, you should be extra careful when using moisturizers and sunscreens.
If you experience adverse side effects such as redness, dryness, irritation, or flaking after using baking soda as a topical treatment, consult a licensed dermatologist.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, baking soda, a compound with alkalizing properties, is best used only in the kitchen or around the home. It can easily upset the skin’s natural pH balance by over-stripping natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and inflammation. Before trying to use baking soda as a water-mixed paste spot treatment, keep in mind that the oilier your skin, the less likely it is to cause problems. If you experience side effects such as redness, dryness, irritation, or flaking from using baking soda as a topical treatment, consult a licensed dermatologist.
