Here’s How You Can Use Baking Soda For Your Hair, Body And Skin
You’ve probably seen baking soda as an ingredient in all types of recipes. After all, the alkali is often used as a raising agent in delicious-sounding bakes – such as soda bread, chocolate cakes and gingerbreads. You might even have a neglected container of the stuff rattling around in one of your kitchen drawers. But did you know that people swear you can use pinches of humble baking soda in all kinds of different ways? And yes, that includes making your body, skin and hair look their absolute best.
But before you go digging out your supply of baking soda and flinging it in your hair, it’s worth understanding a little more about how the powder actually works. Fair warning, though: only try the following hints and hacks if it is safe to do so. So, be sure to stop at once if you find that excessive use of baking soda leaves your skin sore or irritated.
Obviously, these tips are not for you if you’re allergic to baking soda. And other people who shouldn’t apply the powder to their skin include pregnant women, new moms and babies. Those suffering from open injuries, significant infections, heart problems, diabetes or susceptibility to fainting are also advised to opt out of these hacks. If in doubt, though, talk to a dermatologist first.
With the health and safety precautions firmly established, then, let’s find out a bit more about what baking soda can potentially do for you. Make no mistake about it, though: we’re specifically talking about baking soda here – not baking powder. What’s the difference, you ask? Well, it’s actually pretty major.
Baking soda is just a more recognized name for the chemical compound sodium bicarbonate. This is made up of hydrogen carbonate and sodium, and when it’s mixed with an acid – such as cream of tartar – the combination results in a release of carbon dioxide. And it’s this gas that helps expand your cake mixtures.