• Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The Health and Beauty Benefits of Baking Soda

Published: March 21, 2025
Updated: March 21, 2025
4 mins

Baking soda is an everyday pantry staple that actually has much more use than helping cookies rise. It’s cheap, easy to find, and surprisingly useful for various kinds of beauty and health purposes – from soothing skin in a relaxing bath to freshening breath and even balancing your body’s pH.

In this article, we’ll break down all the ways this simple white powder may work wonders for your body. 

Baking Soda for Detox and pH Balance

There’s a lot of talk about baking soda’s ability to "alkalize" the body. The idea is that since baking soda is alkaline, it can help balance pH levels, potentially reducing acidity in the bloodstream. Some people believe this can support overall health, from reducing inflammation to improving metabolic function.

While the body is pretty good at regulating its own pH, some use baking soda as a natural way to counteract an overly acidic diet. It’s often included in detox routines for this reason, though scientific evidence on its long-term benefits is still limited.

Baking Soda for Indigestion

Some people turn to baking soda as a simple home remedy for digestive issues, especially indigestion and heartburn. If you’ve ever felt that uncomfortable burning sensation after a big meal, it’s likely due to stomach acid creeping up into your esophagus – also known as acid reflux. Since baking soda is alkaline, it can help neutralize excess stomach acid, providing temporary relief.

Beyond heartburn, baking soda may also help with indigestion, which can feel like bloating, discomfort, or a too-full sensation after eating. Because it helps neutralize stomach acid, some people find that drinking a small amount mixed with water can settle their stomach and reduce gas.

Of course, while baking soda might offer quick relief, it’s not a long-term solution for chronic acid reflux or digestive issues. Using it too often can actually disrupt your stomach’s natural acid balance, which is important for breaking down food properly. If you’re reaching for baking soda regularly, it might be worth checking in with a doctor to see if there’s an underlying issue that needs attention.

For occasional relief, a common recommendation is to mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it slowly. Just be mindful that baking soda is high in sodium, so it’s not ideal for those with high blood pressure or kidney concerns.

Baking Soda Bath Benefits

If you’ve never tried adding baking soda to your bath, you might be missing out on an easy, affordable way to soothe your skin and relax your body. A baking soda bath is known for its gentle, skin-soothing properties and is often used to relieve irritation, itching, and dryness.

One of the most popular baking soda bath benefits is its ability to calm irritated skin. Whether you're dealing with eczema, sunburn, bug bites, or even razor burn, soaking in a baking soda bath can help reduce redness, itching, and discomfort. It works as a mild anti-inflammatory, helping to balance the skin’s pH and ease irritation. Many people find relief from conditions like psoriasis and contact dermatitis with regular baking soda soaks.

A baking soda bath is often used in detox routines because of its alkaline nature, which is believed to help neutralize toxins and cleanse the skin. While your body detoxes naturally through the liver and kidneys, some believe that soaking in baking soda may support the process by drawing out impurities. Whether or not that’s scientifically proven, there’s no denying that it leaves skin feeling softer and smoother by gently exfoliating and restoring moisture balance.

How to prepare a baking soda bath

Making a baking soda bath is simple. Just follow these steps for maximum benefits:

1. Fill your bathtub with warm water – not too hot, as extreme heat can dry out the skin.

2. Add about ½ to 1 cup of baking soda to the water, stirring to dissolve it completely.

3. Soak for 15-20 minutes, allowing your skin to absorb the benefits.

4. Pat your skin dry afterward, rather than rubbing, to keep moisture locked in.

For an extra boost, you can mix baking soda with Epsom salts for muscle relaxation or add a few drops of soothing essential oils like lavender or chamomile.

A baking soda bath is a simple but effective way to relax, refresh your skin, and ease irritation – all with an ingredient you probably already have in your kitchen!

Baking Soda as Toothpaste

Baking soda has been used for years as a natural way to clean teeth, and for good reason. It’s a simple, affordable alternative to commercial toothpaste, offering benefits like whitening, freshening breath, and balancing oral pH.

One of the biggest baking soda toothpaste benefits is its mild abrasive nature, which helps remove surface stains from teeth without being too harsh. It’s often found in whitening toothpaste because it can gently scrub away discoloration caused by coffee, tea, or smoking.

Baking soda is also alkaline, meaning it can neutralize acids in the mouth that contribute to tooth decay and enamel erosion. This helps protect your teeth from cavities by keeping the oral environment balanced.

If you struggle with bad breath, baking soda may help. It works by neutralizing odor-causing bacteria, rather than just masking smells like some mouthwashes do. Gargling with a baking soda rinse or brushing with it occasionally can leave your mouth feeling fresher for longer.

There’s also some evidence that baking soda may support gum health by reducing plaque buildup and helping to prevent gum disease. Its gentle antibacterial properties can help keep gums healthier when used as part of a good oral hygiene routine.

How often should you use baking soda on your teeth?

While baking soda is safe for occasional use, it’s best not to overdo it. Since it’s slightly abrasive, using it too often – especially if brushing aggressively – could wear down enamel over time.

For most people, brushing with baking soda a few times a week is a safe way to reap its benefits without risking damage. If you want to use it daily, look for toothpaste that contains baking soda rather than using straight powder.

For an easy DIY toothpaste, you can mix a small amount of baking soda with water or coconut oil to form a paste. Just brush gently and rinse thoroughly!

Baking Soda for Skin and Hair Care

Baking soda isn’t just for teeth and baths – it can also be a game-changer for skin and hair care. Thanks to its mild exfoliating and oil-absorbing properties, it’s often used as a natural way to refresh the skin and scalp.

If your skin feels dull or rough, baking soda can work as a gentle exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Unlike harsh scrubs, it has a fine texture that buffs away dryness without being too abrasive. Some people mix baking soda with a little water or honey to create a DIY face or body scrub, leaving skin softer and more radiant.

That said, baking soda has an alkaline pH, which means it can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier if used too often. If you have sensitive or dry skin, it’s best to use it sparingly – once a week at most – and follow up with a moisturizer to keep your skin balanced.

If you struggle with product buildup, oily roots, or an itchy scalp, baking soda can act as a clarifying treatment to remove residue from styling products and excess oil. Some people mix a small amount of baking soda with their shampoo to give their scalp a deeper cleanse.

Baking soda may also help with dandruff since it has mild antifungal properties that can target flakes caused by yeast overgrowth. However, since it’s alkaline, it’s best used as an occasional scalp treatment rather than a daily routine – overuse can dry out the scalp and lead to irritation.

For a simple DIY clarifying rinse, try:

• Mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda with a cup of water

• Massaging it into your scalp and hair

• Rinsing thoroughly, followed by a conditioner to restore moisture

Baking soda is a versatile, inexpensive addition to your beauty routine, but a little goes a long way. Used in moderation, it can help refresh your skin and scalp, leaving you feeling clean and rejuvenated!

Using Baking Soda for Body Odor and Foot Care

Baking soda also serves as a natural way to combat body odor. Its ability to neutralize odors and absorb moisture make it a simple, chemical-free addition to your personal care routine.

Many commercial deodorants contain aluminum and artificial fragrances, which some people prefer to avoid. Baking soda offers a natural alternative by neutralizing odor-causing bacteria rather than just masking smells.

To use it as a deodorant:

• Dust a small amount of baking soda onto dry underarms.

• For extra effectiveness, mix it with a little coconut oil or cornstarch to create a natural deodorant paste.

Since baking soda is alkaline, it may cause irritation for some people, especially those with sensitive skin. If this happens, try diluting it with arrowroot powder or applying it less frequently.

How Can LifeMD Help?

With LifeMD, you’ll have access to expert care from licensed healthcare professionals who can guide you on health concerns and provide information about at-home remedies with staples like baking soda. 

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