The main disadvantage of using baking soda on your face is that it disrupts your skin's natural pH balance and acid mantle.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Disruption of pH Balance: Baking soda has a high pH (around 9), while healthy skin is slightly acidic (around 5.5). Applying baking soda raises the skin's pH level drastically.
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Damage to Acid Mantle: The acid mantle is a protective layer on the skin's surface that helps prevent bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants from penetrating the skin. By raising the skin's pH, baking soda compromises this crucial barrier.
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Imbalance of Skin Microbiome: A healthy skin microbiome relies on a balance of good and bad bacteria. The altered pH caused by baking soda can disrupt this balance, leading to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
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Potential for Irritation and Inflammation: The combination of a disrupted acid mantle and imbalanced microbiome can cause irritation, redness, dryness, and inflammation.
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Increased Risk of Infections: A compromised skin barrier makes the skin more vulnerable to infections from bacteria, fungus, and other environmental factors.
In summary, while baking soda might seem like a cheap and convenient DIY skincare solution, its alkaline nature poses a risk to your skin's health by damaging its protective barrier and disrupting its natural balance. It's generally best to avoid using baking soda on your face and opt for skincare products specifically formulated for facial skin.
