Long before the skincare market existed, traditional beauty regimens were in full swing. These remedies seem to be gaining more attention recently to save money and in the name of embracing natural skincare.
One of the old-age remedies that have found their way back to the spotlight is baking soda and its skin-lightening properties. A major perk is that baking soda can be used all over the body making it a cost-efficient beauty hack.
A lot of people swear by their results and they seem pretty convincing, it is the internet after all. Well, before you dive headfirst into this hype, here is what you need to know and more importantly we’ll help you find out whether baking soda is safe enough to trust with your skincare and body care goals.
Contents
Benefits and Positive Effects of Baking Soda on Skin
Before we talk about how to use baking soda on dark spots, let’s quickly take a look at what it actually does:
Removes Acne Scars and Dark Spots
The main benefit offered by baking soda is its ability to lighten and remove acne marks and dark spots. This is thanks to its powerful bleaching properties.
While it’s true that there isn’t much (if any) scientific research to back this up, the amount of anecdotal evidence out there that points to how effective baking soda is at removing dark spots and marks is overwhelming. Hopefully, science will soon catch up!
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Treats Skin Discoloration and Evens Your Skin Tone
As mentioned, baking soda is fantastic for treating skin discoloration. However, in addition to being a bleaching agent, it also boasts anti-inflammatory properties. This, coupled with the bleaching, enables the ingredient to even out and brighten up the skin tone.
Before and After Photos
We’ve scoured the net for before and after photos from people that have used baking soda to lighten their skin, and our research has left us impressed. It takes a few weeks for improvements to be noticeable, but the changes that people have experienced are truly transformational.
How to Lighten Skin Fast with Baking Soda – Best Ways and Methods to Use Baking Soda for Skin Whitening
Baking soda is very versatile. It plays well with other DIY skincare ingredients, making it easy to whip up your very own customized treatment for lightening your skin. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Baking Soda and Lemon Juice to Bleach Your Skin
Thanks to its citric acid content, which is classed as a hydroxy acid, lemon juice has long since been a popular skin lightening ingredient [1]. Combine this with baking soda and you should see results even faster.
To do so, mix one tablespoon of baking soda with the juice from half a lemon, until you’ve formed a thick paste. Apply this onto areas of concern and then leave it to settle for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
Ideally, do this in the evenings instead of in the mornings, as lemon juice can make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.
Apple Cider, Vinegar, and Baking Soda to Brighten Your Skin
Apple cider vinegar is a source of acetic acid, another compound known for its ability to lighten pigmentation and brighten the skin. Plus, apple cider vinegar is also a powerful antimicrobial that can soothe skin irritations, making this a great ingredient to combine with baking soda.
Simply mix together a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup of baking soda to form a thick paste. Apply this onto your skin and then wait for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Baking Soda with Coconut Oil for Sun Damaged Skin
Not only is coconunt oil a potent anti-inflammatory, but it has also been proven to effectively strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier. If your dark spots are due to sun damage, then this is a combo that you need to try.
Use a tablespoon of each to create a paste. Massage this into your skin, focusing on sun damaged areas. Then, wait for five minutes before rinsing it off.
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Baking soda and rosewater for evening skin tone
Rosewater is a hailed skincare ingredient that is known to reduce redness, balance your skin’s pH, minimize the appearance of pores, and hydrate your skin. Together with the whitening properties, these two can brighten your skin without the harsh drying effects of baking soda.
To try this remedy, use baking soda and rosewater in a 2:1 ratio to form a paste. Gently use the paste as a scrub all over your face and then leave it on for 5-10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and follow up with a cold rinse. Repeat twice a week until you are satisfied with your results.
Baking soda with turmeric and lemon juice for glowing healthy skin
Turmeric and lemon juice are perhaps the most popular home remedies. Turmeric is loved for its healing and brightening properties while lemon juice is revered for its Vitamin C and antioxidant properties that reverse the effects of sun damage.
Mixing these three ingredients makes a paste that whitens your skin while also boosting your collagen production which eventually results in brighter and plumper skin. To make this mixture, use juice from half a lemon and a tablespoon of both baking soda and turmeric.
Mix the three to form a paste and apply to clean skin using circular motions. Allow the paste to sit on your face for 5-10 minutes and rinse with warm water followed by a cold rinse. Dry your face and moisturize.
Is baking soda safe to use on the skin?
Basic soda cannot be considered harmful to your skin however dermatologists frown upon the use of this product on your face. Baking soda throws off the pH of your skin which can irritate the skin further.
Healthy skin is slightly acidic while baking soda is alkaline. Consistently using this product can disrupt your skin’s natural barrier or even dehydrate your skin.
Baking soda is also highly exfoliating and this is why we recommend using this product once or twice a week to avoid causing injury to your skin.
As always, do a patch test before applying these DIY remedies to your skin to avoid allergic reactions or irritation. If you experience breakouts or increased sensitivity when using these DIY remedies, discontinue use immediately.
How to Use a Baking Soda Facial Mask?
All of the recipes above can be used as a baking soda facial mask. Start by cleansing your skin before applying the paste that you’ve created.
Then, just like with any other face mask, wait until the paste has hardened before rinsing it off and continuing on with the rest of your skincare routine.
We would recommend following up with a high-quality skin lightening cream to really maximize your results.
FAQ:
Q: Does baking soda whiten the skin?
Yes, baking soda can effectively bleach and whiten the skin.
Q: Can you get glowing skin with bakingsoda?
Yes, baking soda can give your skin a beautiful glow, so long as you use it in the correct ratios. Overdoing it could lead to a number of skin problems.
Q: How long does it take for baking soda to lighten the skin?
It takes a few weeks for baking soda to start lightening the skin.
Q: Can you use it for hands?
Yes, baking soda is safe for use on the hands.
Q: Can you use baking powder instead of soda?
No, baking powder cannot be substituted for baking soda when it comes to skincare. The two have very different properties.
Q: How do I use baking soda to lighten my skin?
To lighten your skin with baking soda, you’ll need to mix the ingredient with something acidic. Follow the recipes that we’ve shared above to find out more!
Q: Should you brush your teeth with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide?
A homemade toothpaste containing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can help to whiten teeth.
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading through all of our tips, you now know how to lighten skin fast with baking soda.
It’s so simple and easy to whip up a DIY baking soda skin lightener – once you’ve found a recipe that you love, stick with it, as consistency is what you need for results to be visible as quickly as possible.
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3362829/
