http://www.care2.com/greenliving/13-baking-soda-beauty-tips.html
13 Baking-Soda Beauty Tips
By Olivia Kuhn-Lloyd, Intent.com
My “beauty routine” has always been pretty minimal, but once in a while, I’m inspired to freshen up. I started to think about glow- and shine-inducing products that I already have on-hand–and my favorite of the bunch, baking soda.
How can my favorite multi-purpose (beauty) product enhance your grooming routines? Read on. (These applications for baking soda are a compilation of research, polls and personal use).
WHERE TO BUY? FOR HOW MUCH?
- Baking Soda is ubiquitous. It does not vary by brand nor fall into different price brackets. It’s reliable and will always come to the siren call of your beauty needs.
- It’s available. You can purchase it at supermarkets, bodegas, drug stores and gas station mini-marts.
- The price is right. Drugstore.com offers buy-one-get-one for $2.99.
HAIR
- Remove buildup. Mix a small palm-full of baking soda to your shampoo to remove buildup from conditioners, mousses and hairsprays.
- Dry shampoo. No time for a shampoo? Baking soda can be used as a dry shampoo when your hair is oily. Sprinkle some on your hair, comb through then quickly fluff your hair with a blow dryer.
- Chlorine-damaged tresses. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 pint warm water.
- Combs and brushes. Remove product and oil buildup by soaking your utensils in a bowl of warm water with about 3 tablespoons of baking soda. You can also add a splash of bleach.
SKIN
- Facial Exfoliant. In the palm of your hand, mix some baking soda with your facial cleanser to make a gentle exfoliant. Use circular motions to apply gently then rinse as usual for very soft skin.
- Rough skin. This also works for the rough skin on elbows and feet. Make a thick paste with baking soda and water (about 3 parts baking soda to one part water) and scrub away.
- Shaving. A solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda in a cup of water works as a pre-shave product of aftershave rinse for men with sensitive skin.
MOUTH
- Tooth polish and whitener. Baking soda toothpastes have been long-time shelf staples for a reason. The baking soda works to freshen breathe and whiten and polish teeth. Dip a damp toothbrush in baking soda and brush away. My personal twist, dip a toothbrush with toothpaste in baking soda for mouth cleaning times two.
- Toothbrush. Soak your tooth brush in a mixture of water and baking soda and let it soak overnight.
NAILS
- Soft cuticles. Scrubbing your nails or toenails with a nailbrush (or old toothbrush) dipped in baking soda will soften and gently exfoliate cuticles.
Have any other beauty tips that incorporate baking soda? Or perhaps another ingredient from your kitchen cabinets or refrigerator? I’d love to know. Who knows, before long I could be making lipstick from cherries, shampoo from apple cider vinegar and conditioner from mayonnaise!
Intent.com provides content and community for who you aspire to be–personally, socially and globally.
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30 comments
add your comment »I sometimes use a half cup baking soda in a hot bath. It's cheap and leaves me feeling fresh and clean!
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All of these suggestions/ideas are great! People need to share these and try to reduce (and even cease all together) using harsh chemicals. Baking soda (along other kitchen-found items such as white vinegar...) can do wonders!
And yes, for natural toiletry options, baking soda is amazing and a great deodorant/antipersperant!! I love it! (I use it just after applying the liquid crystal deodorant.)
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Considering this article has been posted on a site that aspires to be, among other things, environmentally conscious, it should probably not be encouraging buying baking soda from a website, given that the delivery of the product by courier will contribute to carbon emissions. With the spirit of supporting local businesses and shopping locally to discourage the use of gas in long- distance transport, there's no good reason why we can't just pick up some baking soda at the nearby grocery or drug store.
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When I wash dishes, I'll often sprinkle about a 1/4 cup into the wash water, especially if we've eaten something very smelly. It seems to make the dish soap work more effectively, and my silverware is easier to clean.
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I mix a little lavender oil with a cup of baking soda and use it as a washing softener. I mix it in a 2 litre bottle and it lasts for about 6 wash cycles. Much better and cheaper than the brand stuff; plus better for the environment.
cheers
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I use baking soda to brush my teeth and then rinse with peroxide afterwards. No more coffee stains!
Plus, I did check with my dentist: she says baking soda is less abrasive than toothpaste and thus doesn't hurt enamel. my teeth
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Baking soda makes a great shoe deodorant as well. If shoes are smelly, simply put baking soda in them and leave overnight. Wa-la, in the morning no more smelly shoes! :-)
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Here's another use... Carpet deodorizer.
Take a container you can "shake to dispense" with, like an old coffee creamer container. Fill halfway with baking soda. Drop 10-20 drops of your favorite essential oil in it. I like to use either lavender or orange... whatever you'd like your room to smell like. Close cover, shake it up. Add more baking soda, shake again. Sprinkle all over your carpet, leave on for at least an hour, then vacuum.
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I use baking soda and alcohol to clean jewelry.
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I also use baking soda to remove the oders from my cast iron fry pans. Put some baking soda and some water in the pan. Let set for a while then rinse well. The pans are more than 80 years old and originally a wedding gift.
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