Should you exfoliate with baking soda?

Why skip the homemade scrub?

Scrubs remove cells through friction; chemical exfoliators, such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids, dissolve them. Rubbing a homemade powder paste onto skin follows the scrub approach, so the general cautions about mechanical exfoliation apply. Dry, sensitive or acne prone skin can find mechanical exfoliation too irritating. Strong exfoliation can also increase dark spots, particularly in darker skin tones or skin that develops marks after irritation.1

What should you use instead?

If your goal is simply a clean face, use a gentle cleanser without alcohol or abrasive particles. For everyday washing, fingertips are the tools to use, which leaves the kitchen utensils pleasantly unemployed. Wet your face with lukewarm water, apply cleanser without scrubbing, rinse and pat dry with a soft towel. Wash morning and night and after heavy sweating, rather than adding extra washing sessions. Apply moisturizer if your skin feels dry or itchy. Be gentle around the eyes, where pulling at the skin is unnecessary.3

How to exfoliate more gently

1. 1Check your existing routine. Prescription retinoids, retinol and benzoyl peroxide can make skin more sensitive or cause peeling; adding exfoliation can worsen dryness or breakouts.
2. 2Choose a suitable method. A mild chemical exfoliator is an option for dry, sensitive or acne prone skin. Oily, thicker skin can tolerate stronger methods.
3. 3Apply gently. General exfoliation guidance is small circular motions for about 30 seconds, followed by a thorough lukewarm rinse. Never exfoliate sunburned skin or open wounds.
4. 4Apply moisturizer immediately afterward. Adjust frequency to the method and your skin; more aggressive exfoliation needs less frequent use.

When is a baking soda bath different?

For children and adults with ichthyosis, sodium bicarbonate baths can soften scales and make gentle removal easier afterward. They help manage symptoms rather than cure the condition. For this specific use, fill a bath with comfortably warm water, around 20 to 30 cm deep for a child or half full for an adult. Dissolve 2 to 3 heaped tablespoons, or 30 to 45 g, of sodium bicarbonate; a full adult bath can use up to 4 tablespoons, or 60 g. Soak for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently pat dry and apply a fragrance free moisturizer while skin is slightly damp. There is no need to rinse. Lift loosened dead skin gently rather than rubbing. Baths can be daily or several times weekly, depending on the skin and routine. Keep bath water out of the eyes and rinse with clean lukewarm water if it enters them. Discuss skin changes with your dermatology team.2

Do not treat every baking soda bath as interchangeable: baths used for genital itching risk drying already irritated skin. Bath bombs are different again. Their baking soda and citric acid generally neutralize each other in water, while added fragrances, dyes and other substances can irritate skin.45

What if you have already used baking soda?

Stop if skin burns, itches, becomes painful or develops a rash. Rinse away remaining material with plenty of water, avoid further exposure and use moisturizer. Friction and irritating substances can cause contact dermatitis, an inflamed skin reaction. Symptoms can appear hours or days later, so an immediate lack of stinging is not a reason to keep repeating the scrub. On darker skin, inflammation can look brown, purple or grey rather than red. See a doctor for persistent, recurring or severe symptoms. Seek medical advice for signs of infection, including warmth, tenderness or fever.67