Beautiful, well-groomed skin can become the best decoration, while the most spectacular look can be ruined by the presence of acne, blackheads and other defects on the face. Facial care requires an investment of effort and money, but not all procedures require the participation of a salon cosmetologist. You can clean your face at home using baking soda. Cleaning your face with baking soda at home is an effective cleanser that doesn’t require a lot of money and still allows you to achieve good results.
The benefits and effects of baking soda on the skin
Sodium bicarbonate, or the familiar baking soda, due to its constituent components, is a good cleansing agent. Thus, thanks to sodium, the synthesis of substances occurring in the cell is accelerated, which stimulates the process of cell regeneration and promotes rejuvenation.
Carbon cleanses pores of accumulated dirt and toxins, making skin less oily. Hydrogen removes decomposition products. With regular use, you can achieve significant results: even out facial tone, eliminate fine wrinkles, smooth out unevenness.
Operating principle
When hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with the skin, it begins to break down into two components - water and oxygen. A chemical reaction occurs, due to which the pigmentation layer gets burned and begins to break down, causing the skin to become clearer. Baking soda additionally has an exfoliating effect and helps cleanse the skin of residual subcutaneous fat and dead pigmentation cells. The purposes of using a mask from a combination of two folk components are as follows:
- elimination of age spots, rashes, pimples, blackheads, acne and other cosmetic defects;
- prevention of premature appearance of wrinkles;
- freckle whitening;
- the appearance of a healthy glow and even out the tone of the face;
- deep cleansing of pores.
Hydrogen peroxide creates an immediate effect. After the first use for cosmetic purposes, the skin becomes noticeably smoother and more well-groomed. But you cannot use it in a single and undiluted form; be sure to use it only in combination with soda and other auxiliary components. Otherwise, there is a high risk of a chemical burn to the skin.
Recipes for soda masks and scrubs
Baking soda in combination with other preparations can form the basis of homemade cleansing cosmetics.
With shaving cream
To prepare the mask, you will need salt and soda in equal proportions (about 1 tsp), to which you need to add shaving foam until a creamy consistency is formed. Dip your fingertips into the mixture and massage your face for 5-10 minutes. The area around the eyes should be avoided so as not to injure thin skin. Afterwards, rinse off the mask with water and apply moisturizer.
With peroxide
A mask with peroxide will help clear acne, eliminate pimples, and also whiten the skin and make it less inflamed. To prepare it you will need 1 tsp. soda and 2 tsp. peroxide. Keep on your face for no more than 10 minutes, then rinse with water and moisturize the skin. Repetition frequency: no more than 1 procedure every two weeks.
With aspirin
Lightening and disinfection of the skin can be achieved through an aspirin-based cleansing procedure. You can prepare the mixture from the following ingredients:
- aspirin, ground into powder (5 tablets);
- soda (1 tbsp);
- water (2 tbsp).
Before using the mask, the skin needs to be steamed. After application, leave the composition for 10 minutes and rinse.
Advice. A decoction of chamomile or calendula will help soothe the skin and relieve irritation after the procedure; you can use any other anti-inflammatory agent that does not contain alcohol.
Repetition frequency: 1 time every 2 weeks.
With egg white
If it is necessary, in addition to cleansing, to narrow the pores and dry the skin, then a mixture of one egg white, lemon juice (1 tsp) and soda (a pinch) is suitable. The mask must be applied in several layers, waiting for the previous one to dry. After 15 minutes, wash and apply nourishing cream to your face.
Repetition frequency: 1 time every 2 weeks.
With baby soap
Another economical but effective recipe is based on baby soap. To perform it, you will need shavings of baby soap (can be grated), which must be dissolved in boiling water, add a pinch of salt and a pinch of soda to the solution. Leave the composition on your face for 15 minutes.
With sour cream
Using fatty dairy products as a base will protect the skin from drying out and become an additional source of nutrition. It is enough to add half a tablespoon of bicarbonate to the required amount of sour cream. The mask can be kept on the face for no more than 15 minutes.
Cleaning wisely
It is necessary to use soda solutions in home cosmetic procedures with extreme caution. Despite the simplicity of the compositions and the availability of the drug, it can cause harm to the integument. Simple, but important rules to understand will help you avoid unnecessary hassle and problems:
- To ensure that cleansing your face with baking soda does not result in redness, itching, or an allergic reaction, be sure to conduct a rapid test. Place a little mixture on the inner bend of your elbow, on your wrist. If you have a negative reaction, do not use the product; replace it with other homemade express masks.
- Do not use products of questionable quality, mold, or unusual odors for making cosmetics. This is fraught with unpleasant consequences.
- Before the peeling procedure, apply a little base oil to the epidermis. Then feel free to cleanse your face with soda solution. This technique is especially important for skin prone to dryness and the sensitive periorbital area.
- Do not keep the product on your face for more than 10-15 minutes, as you may dry out the epidermis.
- Rinse off the baking soda facial mixtures with warm, cool water. Herbal infusions are also suitable for these purposes.
- Secure the achieved result with a nourishing cream or oil composition.
Soda powder is widely used in cosmetology. It is used in masks for the body, hair, along with bathing foam. In any case, the result is amazing. The skin looks refreshed, clean, breathes and radiates health.
Recipes for solving various problems
Here are the best recipes that you can use to cleanse to eliminate various dermal problems:
Dry skin
Dry skin requires special care when cleaning; the usual method will be too traumatic for it and will only worsen the problems. To prevent moisture loss, 1 part baking soda must be mixed with 2 parts honey. Leave this mixture on your face for 15 minutes, then rinse off. In addition to honey, you can take olive oil (1 tsp). Repetition frequency: 1 time per week.
Problem skin
With a high level of sebum production and heavily contaminated pores, deep cleaning is necessary. In this case, you will need to mix soda (2 tbsp) with apple cider vinegar (3 tbsp). Leave the mask on for 10 minutes and rinse with water.
From blackheads
Regular washing with soda (massage a mixture of water and soda on your face for at least 5 minutes) will help you cope with blackheads and pimples For those with sensitive skin, you can replace the water with a decoction of witch hazel or ready-made witch hazel water, which is sold at the pharmacy.
Rejuvenating mask
Getting rid of wrinkles as an additional effect of the procedure will be achieved by adding coconut oil to the main ingredient in a ratio of 1 to 1. The procedure involves the following steps:
- Heat the oil in a water bath to room temperature.
- Mix with soda.
- Apply to face in circular motions.
- Leave for 2 minutes and rinse.
Note: For sensitive skin, the amount of coconut oil should be doubled.
Whitening composition
The whitening effect in the presence of age spots or uneven tone can be achieved by adding any of the following components to soda in a 1 to 1 ratio:
- tomato juice;
- lemon/orange juice;
- pureed strawberries.
Mechanical exfoliation with brown sugar, which is added to the mixture in arbitrary quantities, will enhance the effect.
Each of the proposed products should be washed off after 5 minutes. You can repeat the manipulation 2 times a week until the desired result is achieved.
For bags under the eyes
Despite the fact that soda is a rather aggressive substance, when certain components are added to it, it becomes an effective remedy even for caring for the skin around the eyes. So, to get rid of bags under the eyes, a paste of soda and water should be supplemented with ground oatmeal. Keep the composition for about 5 minutes.
How is baking soda used for medicinal purposes?
With the help of soda you can cure many diseases. Let's start with the hated comedones.
From blackheads
You need to mix soda, oatmeal and hydrogen peroxide (3%) - all one tablespoon at a time. If necessary, add a little room temperature water.
The mask should be kept on for about 20 minutes. After you have washed off the mask with warm water, it is recommended to massage your face well with your fingertips. And then you can apply a pore-tightening agent or simply wipe your face with a piece of ice.
Recovery period
During cleaning, you need to monitor your own sensations and skin reaction: slight redness and burning are a manifestation of a normal reaction; If the skin is severely irritated, this method of cleansing should be abandoned.
In order to restore and soothe the skin after aggressive chemical peeling, you can apply a clay mask to the skin. To avoid excessive drying of the epidermis, you need to wash off the mask before it dries completely.
Facial peeling - what is this procedure?
Peeling is the exfoliation of the top layer of keratinized epidermis.
The procedure is carried out as a large number of dead cells appear. They need to be gotten rid of regularly, as they interfere with the natural renewal of the skin.
As a result, the skin does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, and its aging process accelerates.
If you exfoliate every week, it will noticeably rejuvenate, and the pores will be cleaned and narrowed.
Precautionary measures
When using soda for cosmetic purposes, you must strictly adhere to the recommended amount of time, otherwise you may get a skin burn. Before using soda, you should conduct a test for individual intolerance.
Attention! You should avoid cleaning in spring and summer due to excessive solar activity.
Frequent washing with baking soda (2 times a day) can cause excessive dryness and flaking of the skin. Don't clean too often.
There are a number of contraindications for using soda as a peeling:
- increased skin sensitivity and individual intolerance;
- open foci of inflammation and purulent rashes;
- allergy to a component;
- wounds and skin diseases in the acute stage.
It is not recommended to resort to cleansing with soda if your facial skin suffers from excessive dryness and tightness; after sunbathing; capillary network, which is located close to the surface of the epidermis.
Contraindications
It is prohibited to use baking soda to cleanse your face if:
- dermatological diseases;
- open skin lesions (wounds, open pimples);
- exacerbation of acne (large number of inflammations);
- individual intolerance.
Abuse of home treatments with sodium bicarbonate can lead to skin dehydration and increased dryness. Therefore, it is optimal to carry out one maximum two (for oily skin type) cleansing per week.
Side effects
Even if precautions are taken, complications may arise in the form of increased rashes.
The disadvantages of using cleaning at home include the following:
- pH imbalance, which can lead to increased proliferation of pathogens and destruction of beneficial bacteria that protect against acne;
- damage to the integrity of the skin due to physical and chemical effects, resulting in peeling and irritation;
- the effect of use may be delayed and observed only after repeated repetition.
Instructions for use
Before you begin direct soda peeling, you need to prepare the skin. For this, heating is used. Experts recommend a “steam bath”. First, prepare a herbal infusion. If the skin is dry, then you need to take 25 grams of dried linden and mint; for oily epidermis, it is recommended to prepare 25 grams of chamomile and sage (dry). In a fairly wide cup or small basin you need to pour 2.5 liters of just boiled water, and then add the grass there. Wash your face and apply a rich cream to the skin around your eyes. Steaming your face lasts about 10 minutes, while you need to cover your head with a thick towel. Use a napkin to blot your face. After the preparatory stage is completed, you can proceed to the actual cleaning.
Basic rules for peeling with soda:
- It should be remembered that the soda composition is applied only to the prepared skin surface.
- This product should not be applied to the skin around the eyes. This product is also not suitable for cleansing thin and sensitive epidermis.
- Before applying the composition to your facial skin, check whether you are allergic to it. To do this, apply a small amount of the product to the skin of the wrist; after 15–25 minutes, evaluate the result. If there is redness or rashes, then this composition cannot be used.
- Apply the composition with massaging movements.
- The product can not be applied to the entire surface of the skin, but only to problem areas.
- After completing the procedure, you should wash your face with lukewarm water, and then with cold water.
- After such a procedure, it is necessary to apply a nourishing or moisturizing cream to the skin.
Currently reading: Baking Soda Scrub
Patient reviews
Patients on various forums share their impressions of using soda for cosmetic purposes, give advice on use and offer their own proven cleansing recipes.
The user writes about a noticeable narrowing of pores, a long healing period, if you use a large amount of soda.
This participant points out the availability of cleaning ingredients and the need to apply the product only to problem areas.
This user notes the effectiveness of baking soda when used on oily skin and the need to use soothing products after cleansing.
Opinion of cosmetologists
Some cosmetologists claim that this product is harmful to the surface of the face, others say that when used correctly, at the end of the course, women get healthy and clean skin:
It's all about individual tolerance of the ingredients. If the redness does not go away and your face stings, then you should abandon the procedures and replace the peeling with a neutral agent.
If the skin surface behaves calmly during use and after peeling, then you can safely continue the course of treating the skin with the product.
