6 Unexpected Ways to Use Baking Soda

By Christina Heiser, @dailyglow







Budget-Friendly Beauty
Baking soda isn’t just for cooking and cleaning. It also has many health benefits, like relieving heartburn when added to water and soothing irritated bug bites when applied to the affected area.
With such versatility, it’s no surprise that baking soda has plenty of beauty uses, too. If you want to green your beauty regimen and save money, try these easy at-home baking soda treatments for softer skin, shinier hair, and more.

 

 Scrub Your Way to Smoother Skin

Show off flake-free arms and legs in tank tops and shorts this summer by gently buffing away dead skin cells. Create a mild exfolitator by mixing 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. “Rub it all over your crackly elbows and knees for a smooth feel,” says Keri Glassman, a registered dietitian. Use the homemade scrub before applying self-tanner to ensure your faux color is streak-free.

Go Longer Between Shampoos

To extend the life of a blowout, try this recipe for dry shampoo from Indie Lee, founder of the all-natural Indie Lee skin care line: Mix ¼ cup arrowroot powder (a fine natural powder found in the baking aisle at most grocery stores), 1 Tbsp. baking soda, and 1 drop lavender essential oil. Then, dip a large, wide brush into the mixture, shake off the excess, and apply to the roots of your hair. Arrowroot powder will sop up oil at your roots, while baking soda will absorb both oil and odor, making your hair feel and smell cleaner — no shower required.

Prep Feet for Sandals

Fix feet that have been cooped up in boots all winter with a foot soak and toenail-brightening scrub. Dissolve 3 Tbsp. baking soda into a basin of warm water and add lemon slices. “This is a great foot soak that simultaneously invigorates and cleans your feet,” says Jin Soon Choi, manicurist and owner of Jin Soon Natural Hand & Foot Spa in New York City, who recommends leaving your feet in for 10-15 minutes. Then, make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and gently exfoliate your toes to brighten your nails.

De-Gunk Your Scalp

The next time you need to rid your hair of product buildup, reach for baking soda. “Hairspray, styling cream, conditioner, and heat protectants can leave our tresses dull and weighed down,” says Glassman. “When your locks are looking limp at the roots, add a teaspoon of baking soda to your usual shampoo and onto your scalp to remove the buildup.”

Brighten Your Smile

Whitening treatments are pricey; plus, the hydrogen peroxide found in these products, can cause tooth sensitivity. So, try this natural alternative instead. “Simply wet your toothbrush bristles, sprinkle on some baking soda, scrub, and rinse to remove surface stains on your teeth,” says Glassman.

Soothe a Sunburn

Forgot to reapply SPF while you were at the beach? Mix 4 Tbsp. baking soda into 1 quart water, wet a washcloth with the mixture and apply the compress to the sunburn to cool down the heat. You can also use it to help heal regular burns. “I have burned my hand significantly on the stove and baking soda healed it quickly,” says Lee.