5 Baking Soda Exfoliant Remedies for ... Amazing Skin?
Have you heard about baking soda exfoliant remedies? This solution is popular for eliminating bad odors, disinfecting, whitening floors and other home surfaces, and can even help drive pests away.
As a product with anti-inflammatory properties, it may be a good option to clean your skin. However, you must be careful with it.
What you should know about exfoliation
Behind the concept of exfoliating is the idea of removing dead skin cells. This is usually done with the help of specific cosmetics or through a physical procedure.
The skin gets rid of dead skin cells and renews periodically — every 30 days or so. However, this natural shedding process slows down as you age.
As a result, you may end up with skin problems such as dry, flaky areas, lack of radiance or blackheads.
You can promote skin renewal by eliminating dead cells. Exfoliation has many benefits on your complexion such as:
- Brighter, softer and smoother external appearance
- Reduction of clogged pores
- Increased absorption of topical products like moisturizers
- In the long term, exfoliation can aid in the synthesis of collagen, a key protein for elastic smooth skin
You can do physical peels at home. However, as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) points out, these don’t always work for everyone and must properly done. They could damage the skin and increase redness or acne problems otherwise. So, it’s best to consult a dermatologist if you have serious or persistent skin problems.
It’s better to use oatmeal exfoliant remedies for an enviable skin
Sodium bicarbonate has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Thus, it’s an ideal ingredient in the preparation of various over-the-counter pharmacological topical treatments to relieve occasional discomforts such as:
- Skin irritation
- Insect bites
- Mild rashes
People also use it at home to relieve the above discomforts as well as to thoroughly cleanse the skin. Especially for removing blackheads and similar imperfections.
However, baking soda isn’t a product many dermatologists recommend using often to exfoliate and care for the skin. Why? You ask.
Well, it’s because it’s too alkaline and dehydrates the skin, which in turn leads to irritation, dryness, wrinkles, flaking, and other skin problems.
Thus, it’s best to skip this substance in your homemade exfoliant remedies or use them only in minimal amounts and after consulting a dermatologist.
Furthermore, use rolled oats instead of baking soda, they’re quite mild on the skin and you can use them on most skin types. In addition, this ingredient has proven skin benefits (anti-inflammatory, soothing, softening, etc.).
It’s a safe ingredient, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They’ve approved it for use in over-the-counter skin care products.
Keep in mind that just because some cosmetics contain baking soda in their formulas doesn’t mean it’s safe in homemade remedies. Commercial products usually add it in well-measured amounts along with the rest of the ingredients. Thus, it yields positive results.
Homemade exfoliant remedies for amazing skin
Here are some homemade exfoliant remedies you can make with simple ingredients that are less harsh than baking soda.
1. Oats and water exfoliant remedies
Ingredients
- Water
- Rolled oats
Preparation
- Mix both ingredients until you have a homogenous paste. You need to add more oats than water.
- You can use a mortar to make it as smooth as possible.
- Apply the paste to clean and dry skin using circular motions.
- Then, leave on for 25 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water until there’s no residue.
- Repeat every 20 days for amazing skin.
2. Oat flour and olive oil
Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, oatmeal helps relieve redness, itching, swelling and the like. If you suffer from these discomforts, consider applying an exfoliating mask with oatmeal and olive oil.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of olive oil (50 g)
- Oat flour (as much as you need)
- Optional: an egg white
Preparation
- Mix the oats and the oil in a bowl.
- With the help of a food processor, blend them to a homogeneous creamy texture.
- Add the egg white, if you’re going to use it, and continue to mix.
- Apply to your clean face (especially in oily areas: forehead, nose, and chin). Gently massage it on your skin to exfoliate it.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
3. Oat milk and sugar
Ingredients
- Sugar or oat flour (1-3 tbsp.)
- Oat milk (1-3 tbsp.)
Preparation
- In a small bowl, mix the sugar with the milk until you have a paste. The proportion of both ingredients should be the same.
- Apply to your face, massing it in small circles until it is completely covered. Let it act for a few minutes.
- Rinse it with water afterward.
4. Olive oil, sugar, and rolled oats
The mixture of rolled oats, olive oil, and a pinch of sugar is good for combination skin, as it not only exfoliates but also moisturizes and softens the skin. To make it, follow these steps.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp. of sugar
- 3 c. of rolled oats
- 1 tbsp. of olive oil
- Water
Preparation
- Firstly, mix the oatmeal with warm water so as to integrate the ingredients. Add the liquid little by little until you have a fine paste.
- Add the oil and the sugar and continue to mix.
- Apply by massaging it in circles to cover your entire face.
- Finally, rinse with warm water.
5. Milk and rolled oats with honey for amazing skin
This remedy is moisturizing and anti-inflammatory, a good choice for gentle exfoliation. The honey adds moisturizing properties to the mixture.
Ingredients
- 1 c. of oat milk (250 ml.)
- 6 tbsp. of rolled oats (60-70 g.)
- 1 tbsp. of honey (25 g.)
Preparation
- Firstly, dilute the honey in the oat milk.
- Add the rolled oats and mix to a paste.
- Then, apply to your face and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water and finish with cold water to close your pores.
More tips on applying exfoliant remedies
We know exfoliation is good for improving the appearance of your skin. However, you must follow the right procedure, regardless of the remedy you use.
First of all, consider that, as in many cases, using it too often can be too harsh on your skin. It could lead to redness, dry skin, and burning.
Thus, the American Academy of Dermatology (in their advice on peels) recommends allowing a certain period between treatments.
In addition, each skin type responds differently and requires different products and applications. Apply with care or consult a specialist when in doubt. Moreover, people with sensitive skin should avoid this type of mask.
In reference to its application, you must do it gently with circular movements and zero force. About 30 seconds is enough. Never use them on open wounds or irritated skin.
Then, apply moisturizer immediately after you finish the process and remove the product. It’ll keep your skin healthy and moisturized.
Do you want to have amazing skin?
As you can see, you must consult a dermatologist and follow their advice to improve the appearance of your skin. Especially if you suffer from skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and acne. This is because these conditions require specific care.
Finally, baking soda is a popular remedy, indeed. However, it’s neither the safest nor the most suitable for all types of skin and skin problems. Thus, consult your doctor if you’re thinking of using it.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. How to safely exfoliate at home.
- Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, et al. Oatmeal in dermatology: a brief review. Indian Journal of Dermatology Venerology and Leprology. Marzo-Abril 2012. 78 (2): 142-5.
- Rodan K, Fields K, et al. Skincare bootcamp: the evolving role of skincare. PRS Global Open. Diciembre 2016. 4 (12 Suppl): e1152.
- U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Vol 5. 21CFR347. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Marzo 2022.
