My Nana Swears by Applying Baking Soda to Her Face — Her 3 Tried-and-True Methods and How They Actually Work
For as long as I can remember, my Nana has believed in the power of simple, pantry-based beauty remedies. She’s the type of woman who makes her own face masks, hair rinses, and scrubs using ingredients like honey, lemon, oatmeal, and yes — baking soda.
When I was a teenager struggling with breakouts, Nana didn’t tell me to go to the store for an expensive cleanser. She walked into her kitchen, pulled out a tiny orange box of baking soda, and said:
“Honey, this stuff’s been keeping my skin soft and clean since the 1950s.”
And she wasn’t wrong.
Baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) has been a household staple for generations — for cleaning, cooking, deodorizing, and even beauty. Though it’s not a substitute for medical-grade skincare, Nana’s gentle home remedies show that, when used properly, baking soda can help exfoliate, smooth, and clarify your skin.
In this guide, I’ll share Nana’s three favorite baking soda face methods, explain the science behind how they work, and give safe, modern adjustments you can follow today.
Table of Contents
A Brief History of Baking Soda in Skincare
Understanding What Baking Soda Is
How Baking Soda Works on the Skin
Important Safety Notes Before You Begin
Nana’s Three Baking Soda Face Methods
Method 1: Baking Soda Face Scrub
Method 2: Baking Soda & Honey Mask
Method 3: Baking Soda Spot Treatment
Step-by-Step Instructions for Each Method
The Science Behind Each Method
When to Use and When to Avoid
Aftercare: Moisturizing and Skin Balance
Common Myths About Baking Soda Skincare
Modern Dermatology’s Take
Alternative Gentle Exfoliants
Nana’s Natural Skincare Philosophy
Realistic Results and Expectations
Storing and Preparing Baking Soda Safely
FAQs About Baking Soda on Skin
The Benefits and Limitations
Creating a Balanced DIY Skincare Routine
Key Takeaways
Final Thoughts: The Wisdom in Simplicity
1. A Brief History of Baking Soda in Skincare
Long before fancy serums and cleansers, people relied on natural ingredients for skincare. Baking soda, first introduced in the 1840s as a household cleaner, quickly found its way into beauty routines.
In the Victorian era, women used baking soda mixed with water as a mild facial cleanser.
During WWII, when cosmetics were scarce, baking soda served as toothpaste, deodorant, and facial scrub.
By the mid-20th century, it was a “beauty secret” passed down through families — like my Nana’s.
Her reasoning was simple: “If it cleans the oven, imagine what it can do for your pores.”
(Of course, we know now it’s gentler than that sounds — but she wasn’t entirely wrong.)
2. Understanding What Baking Soda Is
Chemically: Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) — a natural alkaline compound that reacts with acids to create fizzing carbon dioxide.
Texture: It’s fine-grained but slightly gritty, making it a mild physical exfoliant.
pH: Around 8.3, which is alkaline — meaning it can neutralize acids (and sometimes disrupt your skin’s natural acidity if overused).
Used sparingly, this property helps neutralize oil, remove buildup, and gently exfoliate.
3. How Baking Soda Works on the Skin
Nana always said baking soda “cleans the skin’s canvas,” and science backs her up — to an extent.
Here’s what happens when you use it:
Physical exfoliation: Removes dead skin cells through gentle scrubbing.
Oil absorption: Soaks up excess sebum from oily areas.
Mild antibacterial effect: Helps reduce acne-causing bacteria on the surface.
pH neutralization: Temporarily counteracts surface acidity, which can calm irritation — but overdoing it may dry or sensitize skin.
That’s why moderation is key. Nana used these treatments once or twice a week, never daily.
4. Important Safety Notes Before You Begin
Let’s be clear: Baking soda can be beneficial, but it must be used with caution.
✅ Always patch-test before applying to your whole face.
✅ Use finely milled baking soda — not coarse cleaning powder.
✅ Never scrub harshly.
✅ Follow up with a gentle moisturizer.
✅ Avoid if you have very sensitive, broken, or inflamed skin.
If used properly, it’s a budget-friendly exfoliant that can brighten your complexion.
5. Nana’s Three Baking Soda Face Methods
Here are the three methods Nana swore by, each with a specific purpose.
Baking Soda Face Scrub – For dull or oily skin
Baking Soda & Honey Mask – For calming and brightening
Baking Soda Spot Treatment – For blemishes or blackheads
Let’s go through each one.
Method 1: Baking Soda Face Scrub
Purpose: To exfoliate dead skin and unclog pores.
Frequency: Once per week.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon water (or rose water for extra softness)
Directions:
Mix baking soda and water into a thin paste.
Apply gently to damp skin using circular motions for 30 seconds.
Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Follow with a light moisturizer or aloe vera gel.
Results: Skin feels smoother and cleaner, with reduced oil buildup.
Scientific note: The mild abrasiveness removes dead cells and impurities, enhancing glow.
Method 2: Baking Soda & Honey Mask
Purpose: To soothe, brighten, and balance.
Frequency: Once every 10 days.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon raw honey
½ tablespoon lemon juice (optional, for oily skin types only)
Directions:
Mix baking soda and honey into a smooth paste.
(Optional) Add lemon juice for an antibacterial boost.
Apply a thin layer to your face, avoiding the eyes.
Leave on for 5–7 minutes.
Rinse with warm water, then splash with cool water.
Results: Honey’s humectant properties hydrate the skin while baking soda gently cleans.
Scientific note: Honey has antimicrobial properties, while baking soda provides exfoliation and oil control — a balanced duo.
Method 3: Baking Soda Spot Treatment
Purpose: To shrink pimples and calm inflammation.
Frequency: As needed, up to 3 times per week.
Ingredients:
½ teaspoon baking soda
A few drops of water
Directions:
Mix baking soda and water into a thick paste.
Dab a small amount directly on blemishes.
Leave for 5 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly and moisturize.
Results: The paste helps dry out surface oils, reducing redness and size of minor pimples.
Scientific note: Baking soda’s alkalinity and drying properties create a less hospitable environment for acne bacteria.
6. The Science Behind Each Method
Let’s unpack what’s really happening here.
Exfoliation: The fine granules physically remove the top layer of dead cells.
Neutralization: Baking soda balances excess oil and surface acidity temporarily.
Cleansing: It binds to dirt and oil, lifting impurities.
Brightening: By removing buildup, it enhances light reflection on skin.
However, overuse can strip your natural moisture barrier — so moderation is essential.
7. When to Use and When to Avoid
✅ Best For:
Oily or combination skin
Occasional dullness
Mild congestion or blackheads
❌ Avoid If:
You have dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin
Your skin barrier is compromised
You’re using strong exfoliants (like retinol or acids)
8. Aftercare: Moisturizing and Skin Balance
After using any baking soda method:
Rinse thoroughly.
Pat skin dry with a soft towel (no rubbing!).
Apply a pH-balanced toner or rose water to restore acidity.
Finish with a gentle moisturizer (like aloe vera, jojoba oil, or hyaluronic acid serum).
This keeps your skin barrier happy and prevents dryness.
9. Common Myths About Baking Soda Skincare
Myth: It cures acne completely.
✖ Baking soda helps temporarily dry pimples but doesn’t treat root causes.
Myth: It’s suitable for all skin types.
✖ Sensitive skin can react to the alkaline pH.
Myth: Daily use keeps pores small.
✖ Overuse can irritate and enlarge pores instead.
Nana may have believed in simplicity, but she also preached moderation — and she was right.
10. Modern Dermatology’s Take
Dermatologists agree that occasional use of baking soda for gentle exfoliation is safe for many people, but daily use is not recommended.
Dr. Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist, notes:
“Baking soda is mildly abrasive, but its high pH can disrupt your skin’s acid mantle if overused. Once or twice a month is fine for resilient skin.”
So, Nana’s occasional use aligns with modern skincare wisdom.
11. Alternative Gentle Exfoliants
If baking soda feels too harsh for you, try:
Oatmeal – soothing and hydrating.
Rice flour – gentle brightener.
Sugar and honey – mild exfoliant.
Clay masks – draw out impurities without altering pH.
Nana often alternated between oatmeal and baking soda, depending on the season.
12. Nana’s Natural Skincare Philosophy
Her beauty motto was simple:
“If you can eat it, you can probably wear it.”
She believed the skin reflects what you feed it — inside and out. Her bathroom shelf was filled with jars labeled “oats,” “honey,” and “baking soda.”
Her recipes were never about perfection — they were about care, ritual, and consistency.
13. Realistic Results and Expectations
Within a few uses, you might notice:
Smoother texture
Brighter appearance
Fewer surface blemishes
But baking soda won’t erase wrinkles or deep acne scars. It’s a maintenance treatment, not a miracle cure.
Consistency and moderation create long-term results.
14. Storing and Preparing Baking Soda Safely
Store in a cool, dry place, tightly sealed.
Replace every 6 months — old baking soda loses potency.
Always mix with clean water or fresh honey to avoid contamination.
15. FAQs About Baking Soda on Skin
Q: Can baking soda lighten dark spots?
A: It may exfoliate surface cells, making spots appear lighter over time, but it’s not a bleaching agent.
Q: Can I mix it with lemon juice every day?
A: No — that’s too acidic. The combo can irritate skin if overused.
Q: Is it safe for teenagers?
A: Occasionally, yes — especially for oily skin. Always patch-test first.
Q: What if my skin stings?
A: Wash off immediately and apply aloe vera.
16. The Benefits and Limitations
Benefits:
Inexpensive and accessible
Gentle exfoliation
Temporary oil control
Brightening effect
Limitations:
Alkaline pH may disrupt skin barrier
Can cause dryness if overused
Not suitable for sensitive skin
17. Creating a Balanced DIY Skincare Routine
To complement Nana’s baking soda methods:
Cleanser: Mild pH-balanced facial wash
Exfoliant: Baking soda or oatmeal (1x/week)
Moisturizer: Lightweight cream with ceramides
Treatment: Natural oils (rosehip, jojoba) or aloe gel
The idea is to balance natural DIY treatments with gentle daily care.
18. Key Takeaways
Baking soda can exfoliate and brighten when used sparingly.
Always follow with hydration and a pH-restoring toner.
Avoid overuse — once a week is plenty.
Pair with soothing ingredients like honey or aloe for balance.
Simplicity and consistency often beat expensive fads.
19. Final Thoughts: The Wisdom in Simplicity
My Nana’s bathroom remedies might not have come from a lab, but they were built on decades of observation and common sense. She understood her skin intuitively — when it needed exfoliation, when it needed rest, and when a touch of honey and patience worked better than any fancy cream.
Her three baking soda methods still hold up today because they remind us of something deeper:
That true beauty care doesn’t have to be complicated. It just needs mindfulness, gentleness, and a dash of love — and maybe, a sprinkle of baking soda. π
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