Acne is probably the most common skin issue. With about 80% of people, who are aged between 11 and 30, dealing with acne at some point, the issue is a widespread problem.
What’s worse is when you have an almost-chronic version of the condition with unpredictable breakouts and treatments that don’t help. If you’re nodding, maybe it’s time to try something new. Something closer to home. Something in your kitchen, to be more specific.
Baking Soda Acne Treatment – How it Works
Otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda has a whole lot of uses in as far as personal hygiene and skin care.
From home-made deodorant and shampoo to skin exfoliation, teeth whitening and removal of chlorine from the hair, this white powder comes in handy in a myriad of ways.
It is like a simple magical ingredient in the kitchen that simply doesn’t stop giving.
The concept of baking soda acne treatment is however relatively newer. Before delving into it however, let us first start by briefly highlighting the process involved in acne breakouts.
How To Use Baking Soda For Acne
1. Olive Oil And Baking Soda Acne Treatment
With its powerful skin soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and moisturizing properties, olive oil helps to heal acne scars and spots with the added benefit of rejuvenating your skin, leaving it well toned and healthy-looking.
You will however want to use alongside baking soda for an even richer exfoliation, anti-inflammatory, and scar lightening action.
To use this home treatment, follow the following steps:
- Into a small bowl, pour, a tablespoonful each of baking soda and olive oil.
- Mix the mixture thoroughly till well blended.
- Apply the resulting paste on the parts of the skin affected by acne
- pimples or scars and massage gently in circular motions.
- Wash the area with warm water 5 to 10 minutes down the line.
- Follow up with the treatment regularly, preferably, 3 times each week and those ugly acne scars and spots will soon lighten and fade away.
Alternatively:
Mix baking soda and water in equal proportions and stir them well to form a fine paste. Apply the paste in areas of the skin affected by spots and scars and then wash it off after 5-10 minutes. Now apply generous amount of olive oil and leave it on overnight.
Wash it off the next morning with warm water. Repeat the process 2-3 times per week.
2. Lemon Juice And Baking Soda For Acne
You Will Need
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Non-comedogenic moisturizer
Prep Time
- 2 minutes
Treatment Time
- 15 minutes
Method
- Mix the baking soda with some water and lemon juice to get a smooth paste.
- Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
- Apply the paste, in a thin layer, onto your face as your would a mask.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse off with cool or lukewarm water.
- Finish by applying moisturizer.
How Often?
2-3 times a week.
Why This Works
Lemon juice helps control the oil production in your skin, while shrinking your pores. It also helps kill off bacteria and reduce redness.
3. Baking Soda And Aloe vera Acne Mask
Aloe vera, both in the form of fresh gel from a leaf or a commercial gel products that are available from health food stores (provided it doesn’t have a load of additives), has strong acne healing capabilities.
This is derived from its soothing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory which then makes it effective in not only reducing the redness and swelling associated with acne pimples and cystic lesions but also speed up the healing process and minimize the risk of scarring.
Although aloe vera is usually effective when used alone, you will want to increase it even further by using it in combination with baking soda. Here are the step you will need to prepare and use an aloe vera-baking soda acne mask:
- Add a tablespoon of baking soda into a small bowl or basin
- Snip an aloe vera leaf and squeeze a generous amount of the gel into the bowl. A commercial aloe vera gel without additives will do just as fine if you don’t have an aloe vera plant in your garden.
- Mix the mixtures until well blended into a paste with fine consistency.
- Apply the mixture on the affected areas of the skin. If you want you can as well apply it to the whole face as a mask since this treatment is very gentle on your skin.
- Finish off by washing the paste of the skin with water.
- Repeat the process 3 times a week and your face will soon be scar-free and beaming with health.
A baking soda and aloe vera paste is not only healing for the acne-prone and acne inflicted skin but also leaves the skin hydrated and rejuvenated.
Also Read Turmeric For Acne And Pimples Treatment
