If you told me 5 years ago that baking soda could be used for anything other than baking (and cleaning silver) I would have been highly suspicious, to say the least.
Fast-forward to 2011:
I've been seeing every now and then blog posts about people ditching conventional shampoos in favor of simple baking soda - a method called "no-pooing". In fact, those posts and forum topics got so many that I decided to try the method myself. Lo and behold, it worked!
It worked so well that today we don't have a single shampoo bottle at home.
Slow-motion to 2012:
Washing my hair with baking soda has given me healthier and stronger hair. In my weekly ceremonies of bringing the kitchen to the bathroom I've had thoughts crossing my mind. Mostly about applying baking soda as a facial scrub to clean blackheads.
If baking soda is good for the scalp, it should be good for the skin on my face, right?
And my face... although I have amiable features my face has always been on the oily side. Well into my 30s I feel I still haven't passed puberty in certain days of the month. Quite bothering and humiliating at times.
Cleaning my face with baking soda once a week, in addition to washing my hair, became a ritual I didn't put much thought in until the day my husband noticed my face was visibly cleaner. Without expecting any fast results (or any results whatsoever) I had incorporated the new routine and the greatest part was that it worked!
Fast-forward to 2011:
I've been seeing every now and then blog posts about people ditching conventional shampoos in favor of simple baking soda - a method called "no-pooing". In fact, those posts and forum topics got so many that I decided to try the method myself. Lo and behold, it worked!
It worked so well that today we don't have a single shampoo bottle at home.
Slow-motion to 2012:
Washing my hair with baking soda has given me healthier and stronger hair. In my weekly ceremonies of bringing the kitchen to the bathroom I've had thoughts crossing my mind. Mostly about applying baking soda as a facial scrub to clean blackheads.
If baking soda is good for the scalp, it should be good for the skin on my face, right?
And my face... although I have amiable features my face has always been on the oily side. Well into my 30s I feel I still haven't passed puberty in certain days of the month. Quite bothering and humiliating at times.
Cleaning my face with baking soda once a week, in addition to washing my hair, became a ritual I didn't put much thought in until the day my husband noticed my face was visibly cleaner. Without expecting any fast results (or any results whatsoever) I had incorporated the new routine and the greatest part was that it worked!
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| Image: Alessandro Pautasso |
As any person with long acne/blackhead/oily skin history I have tried virtually any commercial product. 15+ years is a long time to try any new magical lotion and yet, nothing cleaned my face quite well.
Until I tried simply rubbing some baking soda on my damp face.
Here is how to get rid of your blackheads
You need:
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- damp face
1. Make sure your face is clean. I don't use any facial cleanser for that. Instead I wash my face thoroughly with plain water a few times a day.
2. Dampen your face. I find it most convenient to apply this method while taking a shower. The warm water opens up the pores.
3. Get the baking soda with your damp fingers and start massaging it onto your skin with circular motions. Don't press hard, just massage. Concentrate on the areas where you get most blackheads - the forehead, the nose, the chin, etc.
4. Rub for 30 seconds and rinse. Avoid leaving the baking soda on your skin for longer periods, that wouldn't make it more effective and it may irritate your skin.
Your skin will be visibly clean after the first application!
The baking soda scrub is also effective in keeping your body smooth, so you can use it on your body as well!
Note: Don't apply baking soda on open wounds and squeezed pimples. Better treat them with banana peels. If the baking soda scrub stings, rinse off immediately. Stop immediately if you have any reactions such as a rash or an increase in acne. When in doubt seek advice from a dermatologist.
With the baking soda scrub you are not only saving money and achieving great results, are making an environmentally conscious choice!
And after you try it, tell me how it went!
Here are more natural ways to clear your blackheads and how to get rid of blemishes caused by blackheads and acne.
Here are more natural ways to clear your blackheads and how to get rid of blemishes caused by blackheads and acne.
Sonya, this is so timely! Our daughter ( 14 1/2 ) recently read an article about backing soda treating acne and last night she tried it for the first time... She was so anxious to try this out that she used the baking soda from the refrigerator because we are out of baking soda for cooking/cleaning! I didn't have the heart to tell her how long it's been in the frig. Great post... I guess I need to stock up on a larger size of baking soda... I've also read about no pooing treatments as well...I wonder how that would work for dry naturally curly hair? I'm a retired hairstylist so I've been properly trained in the importance of using good hair and skin products but the all natural solutions are intriguing for sure!
ReplyDeleteSo timely indeed! I am sure that although the soda was old the results were great! I love to look at my face after a good scrub and what is more, the skin ti so tender and clean!
DeleteYou should try washing your hair with baking soda, but keep in mind that usually there is an adjustment period where your hair might not look its best. Actually, I didn't have this happen to me at all! As a trained hairstylist you know better than me how important natural solutions are! :)
Baking soda and water paste are great for clarifying hair: removing chlorine and other chemicals from hair due to daily swimming and heavy product use too!
DeleteYES! It is ALL about using baking soda for exfoliant! After reading countless stories about how the scrubbies in conventional scrubs are really teensy pieces of plastic that eventually end up in the water and fish eat them, it became SO important to me to not support that and to find something environmentally friendly to use. I've been using baking soda for awhile now and it works so well! Plus, it's CHEAP! We have a little jar of baking soda in our bathroom and I use it both for my face and to dip my toothbrush in it for brushing my teeth with. Baking soda lover for life!
ReplyDeleteYes! Baking soda lover here too :)
DeleteBy the way, I am still having a hard time brushing my teeth with it because of the taste. I am willing to try one of the toothpaste recipes with soda though and see how things will develop.
Oh! Did you see the recipe I posted awhile back? You could try using that and playing around with it a bit? Jonathan hated brushing his teeth with normal toothpaste but since making mine he likes it because I can make it not super minty for him. This is the link: http://www.prosouppropaganda.com/2011/12/making-toothpaste-at-home.html
DeleteOh, no! I didn't see it! Clicking away this very moment!
DeleteVery interesting! Thankfully I've always had pretty clear skin, but it is really oily - will have to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteOh, you will be so glad when you try it, I promise!
DeleteBaking soda is absolutely brilliant for cleaning greasy ovens - one of my pet hates in the housework stakes. If anyone is interested in the recipe (white vinegar is added - and the kitchen doesn't smell like a fish and chip shop after use!) contact me at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com and I'll be happy to pass it on!
ReplyDeleteYour recipe is a must, Isobel! I am curious to know more about it!
DeleteBaking soda is so useful for so many things. Using it on your skin seem like a natural step.
ReplyDeleteValerie
Everyday Inspired
Sonya, I've been using baking soda to replace my beloved St. Ives apricot scrub for a couple years now and I love it! Isn't baking soda just so amazingly wonderful and versatile?!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I actually have a Natural Skin Care series which starts tomorrow, where I'll be sharing all the homemade, natural alternatives to commercial products, and baking soda is a few posts down the list!
Yes, it sometimes is kind of scary to know how many ways you can apply plain baking soda... I am off to check your Natural Skin Care series!
Deletedefinitely will try this as i have very oily skin, not to mention the humid atmosphere we have here in the Philippines. thanks for this suggestion, Sonya!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! Once you try, make sure you report the results to us here :)
DeleteI am definitely going to be trying this out -- I have been using baking soda (mixed with a bit of peroxide) to clean my teeth and it has worked wonders!
ReplyDeleteRight now I use vingear on a cotton ball to clean my face (especially mid-day) because I have super oily skin and the vinegar helps clean all of the oil and dirt from the day.
I am going to try the baking soda shampoo alternative for myself now! I am pretty excited!
Vinegar is another solutions I haven't tried, I am curious to know how it relates to soda in terms of skin cleaning and will try it out, thanks for the suggestion!
DeleteVinegar is a common ingredient in many facial cleansers and I've used it with much success as a compress on inflamed pimples. It reduces swelling and keeps bacteria neutralized. The smell is hard to get used to, but it does go away shortly after application.
DeletePerfect timing, Sonya! How did you know I got some crazy stress breakouts during the move!? Ha ha. I'll definitely give this a try.
ReplyDeleteSee? We are connected! Treat your skin to a baking soda scrub and your move will be so much more enjoyable :)
DeleteNo way! This sounds absolutely amazing!! I will defo be giving it a shot, thank you so much for sharing the tip! *waves goodbye to shop bought crap*
ReplyDeleteThanks so much :D
You are welcome! Let us know how it went without the crap :)
DeleteAt 64 years of age and still having skin as oily as when I was a teen, I look forward to trying the baking soda. I'll let you know the results. Also, exactly how do you apply to hair for cleaning? My hair is also very oily, needing washing every day.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am looking forward to the results (but I now you will love them!)
DeleteTo use baking soda as a shampoo substitute, dilute 1 tablespoon baking soda in a cup of water and pour tiny portions while massaging your scalp gently. Rinse. There won't be any foam of course, but your hair and scalp will be way cleaner. If you need a conditioner afterwards, Dilute 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of water and do the same. Rinse.
Good luck!
Oh wow. This is something I've never considered before. I never heard of washing with it either. I'm gonna have to try that out.
ReplyDeleteYes! Please do, and let us know how it went afterwards!
DeleteWow! I'm definitely going to try this because, ahem, I have those blackheads. Not happy about it either.
ReplyDeleteI use baking soda for a weekly exfoilent too and body scrub and cleaning my hair. I cleanse my face with honey (add a bit of jojoba oil and rose essential oil)before the baking soda treatment. My skin tends to feel dry so after a little research I rub some jojoba oil on my dry skin after I exfoilate it with the baking soda. This fills my pours with a nice light clean oil. The idea is that you don't want a 'war' on your pours. If you dry them out your skin goes on over drive filling up with oil and you get an over production of oil in your pours.
ReplyDeleteAnother great exfoilent is ground up oatmeal. This is good for folks that have sensitive skin. Use it the same way you do the baking soda.
Thank you for the addition Molly. You are quite right about our skin going on overdrive when we dry it out. We should be careful and never go to extremes!
DeleteI hope this works because I have blackheads all over there small so its hard to squeeze them out I will tell you how it goes after a weeks use
ReplyDeleteI hope this works because I have blackheads all over there small so its hard to squeeze them out I will tell you how it goes after a weeks use
ReplyDeleteI hope this works because I have blackheads all over there small so its hard to squeeze them out I will tell you how it goes after a weeks use
ReplyDeleteI hope this works because I have blackheads all over there small so its hard to squeeze them out I will tell you how it goes after a weeks use
ReplyDeleteI hope this works because I have blackheads all over there small so its hard to squeeze them out I will tell you how it goes after a weeks use
ReplyDeleteI hope this works because I have blackheads all over there small so its hard to squeeze them out I will tell you how it goes after a weeks use
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to more news from you!
DeleteI will try that stuff bcz i been searching what i should use to get rid of my black heads on my face,,looks very bad,,
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad I found this article! I have terribly oily skin and HUGE pores in the trouble spots(nose,chin,forehead,etc) Will this scrub also help close them a bit? Or is there something else you'd recommend to close the pores after scrubbing them?
ReplyDeleteGreat article!
Try using the baking soda method a few times and see how your pores are doing. I would love if you come back to let us know.
DeleteThanks for the reply! I'll try to use it like you said, and see what happens. And I'll do my best to get back here and let you know the results! =)
DeleteHey, this sounds absolutley wonderful! I have been searching and searching for the right facial cleanser and I think this just might do the trick. One question though. How often should I do this?
ReplyDeleteIf you do that more often than once a week you risk your face to get flaky and dry, so let's settle for once a week in the beginning and then even once a fortnight.
DeleteOkay. Thanks so much.
DeleteGreat read! I've been fighting a breakout on my forehead for months thanks to a new sunscreen, but I just can't clear my skin. I look forward to cleaning with baking soda just to try something new!
ReplyDeleteThis works amazing!! Had tons of blackheads and after my first scrub my pores look TOTALLY clean! Thank you so so much for the suggestion! :)
ReplyDeleteI am so happy, Delaney! Thank you for taking the time to comment.
DeleteI'm 30 had ance and blackheads once I was 12 :( I have tried everything possible plus many dermatologists and still have this stupid problem. can't wait to see if this works :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Tiffany :)
I hope there won't b any harmful side effects in using baking soda as cleanser and in hair also?
ReplyDeleteThere are no side effects to using baking soda. You should not use it too often though, once a week is fine.
Deleteshoud I apply soap before applying baking soda?
ReplyDeleteThere is no need to apply soap beforehand but if you can if you want to.
Deletewill vinegar or baking soda result in grey hair by any chance?
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should elaborate? I don't understand what you mean.
DeleteThis is really good..But one thing to ask can i use baking soda daily at night..:-):-):-)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeletemy name is pallavi and i have a a lot of small black heads on my forehead and chick its difficult to take them out so please let me know the solution for this thanks in advance.
I love mixing the baking soda with baby shampoo for my hair! Then use a vinegar rinse.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much spending $1000+ to get rid of these black heads but nothing works. Can't wait to use this and will surely post my experience. thank you once again for sharing.
ReplyDeletethanks for the sharing!!
ReplyDeletei wonder does it work for post acne marks as well?
For post acne marks you might find it more useful to try the banana peels: http://blog.kanelstrand.com/2012/01/banana-peels-against-acne.html
ReplyDeleteCould i use the method of putting baking soda on your face once day? Or is that too harsh for my skin? Im 14
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't recommend that. Stick to once a week.
ReplyDeleteIm Madison and im 16, ive had acne since i was either 9 or 10 (which to me sounds bit earlier for someone to start getting acne)Ive had blackheads also for a while now, and have VERY oily skin, and a bit sensitive too. Ive tried alot of things but nothing really seemed to help with my acne and blackheads, but sometimes it would help with the oil production. Ive never thought of baking soda! Im gonna try it before I go to bed tonight. But i have a question. How well does it treat acne as it does blackheads? (ive already read in other comments it helps with oily skin too lol)
ReplyDeleteBaking soda cleanses your skin, so it will decrease the reasons for your acne. Try the banana peels method for treating acne.
DeleteHi. I will definitely be trying the baking soda. But what will you suggest a person use as a daily cleanser? I have also been struggling with blackheads all my life and have a oily T on my face. Some soaps dry to much and others just causes more breakouts. So I am also desperate to try new things as I have been buying a lot of products. Would appreciate any help. Thanks Nicky
ReplyDeleteNicolene, you can try rubbing the inside of a banana peel on your face for about a minute, let work for about 15 minutes and rinase with lukewarm water. With time, banana peels and baking soda will make your skin unrecognizable.
ReplyDeleteI have blackheads all over my cheeks can u think baking soda can help??
ReplyDeleteYes, go ahead and try it!
DeleteHi Sonya thank you so much for sharing. I have been suffering from a blackheads (pigmentation)
ReplyDeleteon both of my cheecks for the last 7 years. I used to have very oily face but after I tried so many products now i have very dry skin. I use baking soda for everything in my house it works tremendously except I have never tried for my skin and hair. I hope this will help me and it will be a life change. I will give a try baking soda and banana pills and will let u know. Once again thanx for sharing.
One more thing though. Can I do once a week baking soda and everyday the banana pills.....what do you think?
Sure you can do that, good luck!
Delete