Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, has been valued for centuries. While most people recognize it as a leavening agent or cleaning product, it also has numerous beauty applications. If you’re looking for smoother skin, whiter teeth, or healthier hair, here’s how baking soda can help you achieve your beauty goals.

1. Clarifying Shampoo
Product build-up can make your hair look dull and feel sticky. Baking soda can help clear this residue, revealing shiny and clean hair. Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with your regular shampoo, massage it into your hair, leave it for two minutes, then rinse. Use this treatment once a month to avoid disrupting your hair’s pH balance.

2. Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is great for those rushed mornings or post-gym sessions. Baking soda is an excellent natural dry shampoo that controls oiliness. You can use it alone or mix it with essential oils like lavender or lemon for a pleasant scent. Light-haired individuals can apply it directly, while brunettes might need to mix it with cocoa powder to avoid a grayish tint.

3. Fix ‘Swimmers’ Hair’
Blondes who swim often may notice dullness or a green tinge in their hair. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste, apply it to the green areas, leave for ten minutes, then rinse. Shampoo out the baking soda and condition your hair afterward. Repeat if necessary.

4. Hair Brush Cleaner
Just like your hair, your hairbrush can accumulate product residue. Soak your brush in hot water mixed with half a cup of baking soda for 15 minutes, then rinse and let it air dry.

5. Make-Up Brush Cleaner
Regularly cleaning your make-up brushes prevents dirt and bacteria build-up. Use warm water with a couple of teaspoons of baking soda. Swirl each brush in the mixture, let them soak for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and air dry.

6. Facial Exfoliator
Replace your conventional exfoliator with baking soda to avoid harmful microbeads. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with water and optional Vitamin E oil to form a paste. Massage onto your face in circular motions, avoiding the eye area, then rinse with warm water followed by a cool rinse.

7. Pimple Treatment
Baking soda can dry out pimples and remove excess oil. Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply to the pimple, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse off.

8. Blackhead Remover
Baking soda is effective at removing blackheads. Cleanse your skin, steam your face, then apply a paste made from one tablespoon each of granulated sugar and baking soda mixed with two tablespoons of water. Massage, rinse, and finish with cold water. Repeat weekly.

9. Face Mask for Oily Skin
A face mask made from baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice can benefit oily skin. Mix half a cup of baking soda, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and a teaspoon of lemon juice to form a paste. Apply for ten minutes before rinsing off.

10. Hand Soap
Baking soda mixed with castile soap, essential oils, and oatmeal makes a great hand soap. Its natural antibacterial properties make it gentle yet effective.

11. Nail Treatment
For healthy cuticles, use a paste of baking soda and water with a nail brush. To whiten yellow nails, mix baking soda with lemon juice and apply.

12. Toenail Fungus
Baking soda can help treat toenail fungus due to its alkaline nature. Apply a mixture of baking soda, tea tree oil, basil oil, sage oil, and arrowroot to the affected nails daily.

13. Body Scrub
Exfoliate your body with a baking soda scrub to remove dead skin cells and reveal fresh skin. Use the same formula as for your face.

14. Calluses
Soak your feet in warm water with three tablespoons of baking soda for 30 minutes. Exfoliate with a baking soda paste, rinse, dry, and apply moisturizer. Repeat weekly.

15. Itchy Skin
For itchy skin, apply a paste of baking soda and water to the affected areas, let it dry, then rinse and moisturize.

16. Self-Tan Remover
If your self-tan turns streaky, apply a paste of baking soda and lemon juice to the uneven patches and scrub off with a washcloth.

17. Deodorant
Baking soda can be used as a natural deodorant. Mix a quarter cup of baking soda with essential oils, and pat it under your arms after a shower.

18. Teeth Whitener
Baking soda gently removes teeth stains from coffee, wine, and cigarettes. It’s less abrasive than many commercial toothpastes.

19. Freshening Mouth Rinse
A baking soda mouth rinse can kill bacteria and reduce bad breath. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in half a cup of water and swish around your mouth.

20. Detox Bath Soak
Combine baking soda with Epsom salts for a detox bath. This mix helps eliminate toxins, reduce bloating, and promote healthy skin. Add a few drops of essential oil for extra benefit.

Cautions
While baking soda has many uses, it can be drying and may irritate sensitive skin. Test on a small skin patch before widespread use and limit applications to avoid altering your skin’s pH balance.