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.
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.
Beneficial features
The current arsenal of cosmetic products can cope with probably any dermatological problem.
And yet, many people prefer to use products prepared independently from available products. I support this endeavor. After all, this way you can save money and get a result that will completely satisfy you. The vast majority of women have baking soda and hydrogen peroxide at home . How are they good for facial skin?
The charcoal contained in soda cleanses pores well and corrects sebum production. And sodium acts as an amplifier of other components and accelerates tissue regeneration. Hydrogen peroxide works as a disinfectant and bleach.
A face mask with peroxide and soda provides a powerful effect thanks to the combination of these components. This cosmetic product perfectly cleanses the skin, increases its elasticity, firmness and even smoothes out fine wrinkles. As a result, the face looks healthy and fresh.
Soda
Baking soda is made up of sodium, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. Now I will tell you how these substances affect the skin.
Sodium enhances all other components. It accelerates the processes of cell cleansing and restoration.
The combination of hydrogen and oxygen is ordinary water. In baking soda, they mitigate the effects of carbon. With the help of water, toxic and waste substances are removed from the skin. In addition, it helps stimulate proper cell function.
Coal is the most important component of soda. It seeps into the pores and cleans them efficiently. Ash improves the functioning of the sebaceous glands, resulting in the elimination of unsightly oily sheen. At the same time, charcoal has healing properties. With its help, minor wounds and microcracks heal very quickly.
Hydrogen peroxide
As already mentioned, hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic. Thanks to its disinfecting properties, peroxide helps solve several cosmetic problems at once:
- whitens the skin, eliminating freckles and post-acne, eliminating age spots;
- deeply cleanses;
- removes pimples, acne, comedones;
- fights inflammation.
It is very useful to wipe your face with peroxide. Once on the skin, hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen. Oxidation occurs. As a result, the epidermis lightens, and the pathogenic microorganisms living on it die.
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.
Preparatory stage
If you follow all the recommendations, you can achieve high-quality cleansing, remove sebaceous plugs, and normalize the synthesis of the sebaceous glands. But to achieve the desired effect, you should follow the advice of experts:
- Do not perform skin scrubbing or exfoliation or mechanical cleansing before a scrubbing session;
- a week before, you should avoid visiting the sauna, swimming pool, gym, and you should not sunbathe to prevent the appearance of age spots;
- you need to exclude fatty, salty, spicy dishes, sweet drinks, and alcohol from the menu so as not to provoke an exacerbation of acne;
- the day before, you must stop using decorative cosmetics.
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.
How to cook properly
Making masks is very simple; prepare a container - it should be non-metal so that the main component does not react, and clean. Brushes, spoons, and brushes are also pre-disinfected - it is very undesirable to neglect precautions, since the risks of infection are high.
Tablets and solids, if the formulation requires their use, are pre-dissolved. Make sure there are no granules, crystals, or lumps. It is not recommended to make homemade masks in reserve, as they quickly deteriorate. Leftovers are not even stored in the refrigerator - it would be better to just throw them away.
Important. You shouldn’t keep the product for longer than the prescribed time - after all, soda is a rather aggressive substance.
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.
Indications for use
The method is widely used by owners of oily, porous skin with inflammatory elements and acne. Not suitable for thin, sensitive, dehydrated dermis; it can lead to irritation and a decrease in the immune properties of the skin. Moreover, reactive oxygen causes the appearance of spots and scars, premature wrinkles, so the use is accompanied by compliance with a number of rules.
Indications for use:
- in the presence of inflammatory processes caused by acne, pimples, sebaceous plugs;
- pigment spots formed after acne or under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
- to prevent the appearance of ulcers;
- to regulate the secretion of the sebaceous glands, get rid of oily sheen;
- to cleanse pores and subsequently tighten them.
It is used mainly at a young age, after 30 years it helps to smooth out the bumpy texture and get rid of comedones. After 35–40, you should use less aggressive skin exfoliation products. Application may cause dryness and premature aging.
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.
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.
