The Ultimate Guide to Using Baking Soda for Skin

Baking soda is a widely used household ingredient that often appears in DIY skincare routines. While some people explore the advantage of baking soda for exfoliation or odor control, it’s important to note that scientific evidence supporting its benefits, especially for the face, is limited. Because baking soda is highly alkaline, it can disrupt the skin’s natural pH, leading to dryness, irritation, and sensitivity. This guide maintains a neutral tone throughout and highlights both the known benefits of baking soda and the potential risks, so you can make informed skincare choices.

What is Baking Soda & Its Usage in Skincare 

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is an alkaline compound with a pH of around 9. It is commonly used in cooking, cleaning, and certain body-care remedies. In skincare, baking soda uses for skin usually revolve around exfoliating rough areas or neutralizing odor. However, the face has a naturally acidic pH (4.5–5.5), and baking soda’s alkalinity can weaken the skin barrier.

While DIY beauty trends often promote baking soda for face masks or scrubs, dermatologists generally advise against using it on facial skin due to its ability to damage the acid mantle. Any temporary smoothness it provides may come at the cost of increased irritation or long-term sensitivity. Therefore, when using baking soda, focus only on the thicker areas such as the elbows, knees, underarms, or feet, never the face.

If you’re dealing with spots or texture concerns, safer ingredients are always a better choice. Curious about alternatives? Read more in our guide: Is Glycolic Acid Effective for Acne Spots? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.

Benefits of Baking Soda 

Below are commonly cited benefits, along with clarifications on whether these claims are backed by strong evidence.

1. Mild Physical Exfoliation

Baking soda has a gritty texture that can help remove dead skin from rough areas of the body such as feet or elbows.

Evidence: This effect is purely physical exfoliation. It is not recommended for facial use due to its alkalinity and potential to cause micro-tears.

2. Temporary Odor Neutralizing

One widely accepted advantage of baking soda is its ability to reduce odor by absorbing moisture and neutralizing odor-causing bacteria.

Evidence: This is supported by its common use in deodorants, but it may irritate sensitive underarm skin.

3. Helps Soothe Mild Itching

Some people use baking soda pastes to ease itching caused by insect bites.

Evidence: This may offer temporary relief, but not a medically proven treatment.

4. Reduces Oiliness (Short-Term)

Baking soda can absorb excess sebum from oily body areas.

Evidence: While it may mattify the skin temporarily, frequent use can disrupt pH and worsen oiliness over time.

5. Softens Hard Skin

Soaking feet in warm water mixed with baking soda may help soften calluses.
Evidence: Mostly anecdotal but widely used in pedicure routines.

Important: Even if some users experience the advantages of baking soda, these effects are not clinically proven for the face. Its high pH makes it unsuitable for delicate facial skin.

When to Avoid Using Baking Soda for Skin? 

There are several situations where you should avoid it, especially on the face.

1. Avoid Baking Soda on the Face Entirely

Using baking soda for face routines, like scrubs or face masks, may cause long-term disruption of the skin barrier. Skin may become dry, red, and more sensitive.

2. Sensitive or Irritated Skin

If your skin is already inflamed, peeling, or reacting to another product, baking soda can worsen irritation due to its alkalinity.

3. Compromised Barrier Conditions

People dealing with eczema, dermatitis, or rosacea should avoid baking soda entirely, as it may aggravate symptoms.

4. Over-Exfoliation Risk

Because it exfoliates mechanically, frequent use can cause micro-tears or dryness even on thick body skin.

Myths Related to Baking Soda 

Myth 1: Baking Soda Balances Skin pH 

It does the opposite. Baking soda raises skin pH significantly, disturbing the acid mantle.

Myth 2: It Clears Acne 

There is no scientific evidence that baking soda treats acne. Using baking soda for face acne may worsen inflammation.

Myth 3: It Brightens or Lightens Skin 

Claims that baking soda fades pigmentation or brightens skin tone lack scientific backing.

Myth 4: It Replaces Skincare Products 

Natural doesn’t always mean safe. Baking soda cannot replace professionally formulated skincare designed to respect skin pH levels.

Baking soda may have household usefulness and certain body-care applications, but it is not suitable for facial use. While some people rely on the advantages of baking soda for odor control or exfoliating rough skin, these benefits are not strongly supported by scientific research and come with potential side effects. For safer and more reliable skincare products, especially for the face, dermatologists recommend pH-balanced and clinically tested products rather than alkaline DIY ingredients.