Acne occurs when the pores on a person's face become clogged with oils naturally produced by the body. This blockage can cause bacteria to grow and pimples to appear. Baking soda is a popular natural remedy for acne breakouts and scar prevention, but is it safe?

Acne commonly affects the face but can also affect the neck, chest, and back.

While acne is usually not a serious condition, pimples can be painful and bothersome and can have a severe impact on a person's self-esteem.

In this article, we look at how to use baking soda for acne and whether it has any adverse side effects.

How to use baking soda for acne

Baking soda may help reduce acne breakouts and manage pain and inflammation of the skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties,

However, using baking soda on the skin is not widely recommended by healthcare professionals, as it can irritate the skin and remove important protective oils.

If people choose to use baking soda to treat acne, it is best not to use it every day and to only use minimal amounts.

People can use baking soda for acne several different ways, including the following:

• Face mask: To create a face mask, mix between 1 and 2 teaspoons of baking soda with a facial cleanser and add a small amount of warm water to form a paste. Massage into the affected area and leave on the skin for 10–15 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
• Exfoliant: To use baking soda as an exfoliant, make the same mixture as a facemask, but wash it off right away after application. It is also possible to add baking soda to a facial scrub to boost its pore-cleansing power and get rid of dead skin cells.
• Face wash: For a baking soda facial wash, add a maximum of two teaspoons of baking soda to a facial wash. Apply to the face and wash off with warm water.

Baking soda can dry out the skin, so apply a hydrating moisturizer immediately afterwards to help prevent dry skin and tightness.

Whenever using baking soda as a skincare product, open a fresh box. Baking soda from a packet that has already been opened might be contaminated by other substances, which may harm the skin.