Acne leaves scars on your face that will just make you feel very inconvenient to participate in social gatherings. You might have tried many creams and herbs which are not very promising.

Baking soda has been a popular ‘self cure’ acne remedy for many years. Almost everyone has a some amount of baking soda in their kitchen or cupboards somewhere. It’s cheap, easily available and has great cleansing properties for use around your house, it’s one of those products that everyone know for using in recipes and one of those ‘old wives tales’ products that have long had many other uses around the home most of which have been forgotten.

What Causes Acne?

Acne can be little bumps on the surface of the skin or under the skin. When it forms on top of the skin, it is called a zit or pimple. Acne is usually red and inflamed, and it can cause scarring after it heals. Acne that forms under the skin’s surface are called acne blackheads or whiteheads. They form when hair follicles get clogged with oil and debris.

What is Baking Soda?

Baking soda is basically sodium bicarbonate, which is a crystalline fine white powder that has a slightly alkaline and salty taste.  It’s found in many mineral spring waters around the world and it’s typically used for many reasons; from helping to neutralize stomach acid to baking.  It was also used historically as an ingredient in cleansers by the Egyptians, and today is used as an odor free cleaner for refrigerators.

The Benefits

Acne TKO states that baking soda helps get rid of acne scars and that it may also reduce wrinkles and red marks. It also helps clear up any fresh acne. The sodium bicarbonate in baking soda helps treat acne. Sodium bicarbonate is pH neutral and has been used as toothpaste, a hair wash, a pain soother, and an odor eliminator. Baking soda exfoliates the skin and removes the uppermost layers of skin affected by acne. Any acne treatment with baking soda should be done externally. Never ingest baking soda.

Uses of Baking Soda for Acne

• Wash your skin with a gentle natural soap, free from perfumes. Do not scrub your face with the soap, wash gently but thoroughly.
• Make a paste by mixing  baking soda and water to form a not too stiff  paste. It takes approximately a teaspoon of baking soda and about 2 teaspoons of water to a good mixture.
• Apply the paste over the acne areas of your face and message in a circular motion gently for about half a minute. Rest for a further 30 seconds to allow the paste to do its work. Avoid the eyes and take care not to get baking soda into your eyes. Rinse with clean water and pat your face with a soft towel. Do not scrub your face with the towel, however tempting that may be! It will do more harm than good. Dab a soft cotton wool ball or pad with calamine lotion and gently apply a thin layer over your face.
• Leave this lotion on your skin overnight. The next morning, wash your skin with water.

Warning

However, there are some people who don’t recommend using baking soda. It may damage your skin because it causes pH imbalance on your skin. As a result, it causes of skin dryness which trigger more production of sebum. This allows the bacteria to multiply.