Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a common household ingredient that has become popular in DIY skincare. Social media often claims it can eliminate dark spots, acne, and even under-eye circles. While baking soda does have mild cleansing and exfoliating properties, there is little scientific evidence that it can safely treat these skin concerns, and using it incorrectly may do more harm than good.
If you’re considering using baking soda on your face, it’s important to understand both its potential benefits and its risks.
What Is Baking Soda?
Baking soda is an alkaline powder with a pH of around 8–9, while healthy skin has a naturally acidic pH of about 4.5–5.5.
This acidic environment helps protect the skin from harmful bacteria, irritation, and moisture loss.
Frequent use of baking soda can disrupt this protective barrier.
