Last Updated on April 7, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Have you ever used baking soda to exfoliate your face?
Everyone on the internet’s recommending it. For starters, it’s natural, so how could it be bad? Plus, it’s so cheap. Why spend a fortune on acid exfoliants when this will do?
Because it could destroy your skin. Turns out, baking soda ain’t as harmless as it seems…
Here’s why using baking soda as an exfoliant is NOT a good idea:
- Baking Soda pH… And Why It Matters
- Baking Soda To Exfoliate Skin: Why It’s A Bad Idea
- But What If It Works For Me?
- What About Just Using It Once a Week?
- What If I Mix It With Something Else? Like Honey or Yogurt?
- Can Baking Soda Be Used Anywhere on the Body?
- Can Baking Soda Help With Acne or Blackheads?
- Why Does Baking Soda Even Get Recommended, Then?
- How To Exfoliate Your Skin The Right Way
- The Bottom Line
Baking Soda pH… And Why It Matters
Before I start preaching why exfoliating with baking soda is a bad idea, here’s a little anatomy lesson (I’ll try to make it fun, I promise).
Did you know your skin has a protective, slightly acidic layer called the acid mantle?
Made up of sweat and sebum, the acid mantle is home to thousands of harmless bacteria. Its job is to protect skin by killing BAD bacteria before they have a chance to enter your body. It also keeps moisture in, so skin stays soft and hydrated. Basically, this layer is your skin’s bouncer—letting in the good guys, keeping out the sketchy ones, and making sure the place (aka your face) doesn’t dry out or get inflamed.
The acidity of the mantle is key. A healthy acid mantle has a pH between 4.2 and 5.6. Most skincare products are formulated within this range to be compatible with your skin.
Baking soda has a pH of 8.3. You don’t have to be a math genius to see that’s way out of the acid mantle range. What does this mean for your skin? Think of it like this: if your skin barrier is a brick wall, baking soda is the jackhammer. Sure, it might knock off some dead skin, but it’ll also bust holes in the foundation and make your whole face more vulnerable to irritation, acne, and even infections.
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Baking Soda To Exfoliate Skin: Why It’s A Bad Idea
Baking soda has a high pH that’s way too alkaline for your skin. In plain English, it means it can disrupt the acid mantle, leading to all kinds of trouble.
A 1997 study found that alkaline cleansers irritate “the physiological protective ‘acid mantle'”, change “the composition of the cutaneous bacterial flora and the activity of enzymes in the upper epidermis” and dissolve fats from the skin surface which may lead “to a dry and squamous skin.”
Translation: alkaline cleansers kill good bacteria, make bad ones proliferate and destroy your skin’s acid mantle. Baking soda isn’t technically a cleanser, but it’s alkaline.
And remember: just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s good for your face. Poison ivy is natural. So is lemon juice, another DIY favorite that can wreck your skin barrier and cause chemical burns.
Baking soda has a pH of 8.3, high enough to disrupt the acid mantle. This damage is cumulative. The more you use it, the worse your skin gets.
Some people might say, “But it makes my skin feel so smooth after I use it!” Sure, because it’s stripping everything off, including the stuff your skin needs to be healthy. That smoothness is short-term. Over time, you’re left with more dryness, sensitivity, breakouts, and a compromised barrier that can take months to repair.
That’s not all. Baking soda is a manual exfoliant. That means it’s the scrubbing motion that gets rid of dead skin cells. Scrub away a minute too long and you can seriously irritate your skin!
And let’s be honest: when people DIY exfoliate, they often go way too hard. You’re not sanding a wooden bench, you’re caring for delicate living tissue. Using harsh scrubs like baking soda or sugar can cause microtears in the skin. These are tiny invisible cuts that weaken your barrier and let in bacteria, leading to more breakouts and inflammation.
Related: Manual VS Chemical Exfoliation: Which One Should You Choose?
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But What If It Works For Me?
Ok, maybe you’ve used baking soda before and didn’t see any problems. Maybe your skin did feel soft. Maybe you’re thinking, “Is this really that serious?”
Here’s the thing: just because something doesn’t burn or break you out immediately doesn’t mean it’s helping. Damage to your skin barrier isn’t always loud and dramatic. It’s often slow, subtle, and shows up later as sensitivity, tightness, or mystery breakouts you can’t seem to get rid of.
It’s like using a dull knife: sure, it cuts, but it’s not doing the job cleanly. Eventually, you’ll feel the consequences.
What About Just Using It Once a Week?
Still nope.
Even occasional use of baking soda can be too disruptive for your skin, especially if you’re already using retinol, acids, or other actives. When your skin is in balance, the goal is to maintain that, not poke it with a stick every Sunday and see what happens!
What If I Mix It With Something Else? Like Honey or Yogurt?
Still no (sensing a theme here?).
Mixing baking soda with “soothing” ingredients doesn’t cancel out its alkalinity. It’s still too basic (literally) for your face, and your acid mantle still won’t be happy.
Also, the idea that honey or yogurt can somehow “neutralize” baking soda on your skin? That’s not how chemistry, or skin health, works. Your skin doesn’t need a DIY science experiment. It needs consistency and care.
Can Baking Soda Be Used Anywhere on the Body?
Technically, your body skin is thicker and a bit tougher than your face. So some people might use baking soda under arms (for odor), on feet, or even on body acne.
But again, just because you can doesn’t mean you should. The pH issue is still there. And for anyone with eczema, keratosis pilaris, or sensitive skin, even body use can cause flare-ups, dryness, and irritation.
If you’re looking for smoother body skin? Try a body exfoliant with urea, glycolic acid, or lactic acid instead. Much gentler and gets the job done.
Can Baking Soda Help With Acne or Blackheads?
This one comes up a lot because baking soda feels like it’s doing something when you scrub it on clogged pores. But that’s exactly why it’s so misleading.
Yes, it might temporarily dry out a pimple or make blackheads look smaller, but the pH disruption, irritation, and barrier damage make breakouts worse over time. It’s a short-term fix with long-term damage.
If you want clearer pores, use salicylic acid. If you want fewer breakouts, support your barrier and don’t mess with its pH.
Related: 3 Science-Backed Ways To Remove Blackheads
Why Does Baking Soda Even Get Recommended, Then?
Honestly? Because it’s cheap, natural, and sounds science-y.
People hear “exfoliate,” see something gritty in the kitchen, and think it’s a win. There’s also a huge appeal to DIY skincare. It feels healthy and like you’re getting a bargain.
But natural ≠ safe. And cheap ≠ effective. Just because something works in your fridge or cleaning routine doesn’t mean it belongs on your face.
How To Exfoliate Your Skin The Right Way
If baking soda as an exfoliant is out of the question, what should you use instead? I recommend exfoliating acids, like Glycolic, Salicylic, and Lactic.
They work by dissolving the glue that holds skin cells together, so they can slough off without the irritation (unless you overuse them).
And before you panic at the word “acid,” don’t worry, these are acids specifically designed for skin, used in controlled concentrations. In fact, your skin loves them when used properly.
But which acid to choose? It depends on your skin type:
OILY + ACNE-PRONE SKIN
Use salicylic acid every other day. This oil-soluble exfoliant gets into the pores, removing all the excess oil + dead cells that’s clogging them up and making you breakout.
Best Picks:
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($90.00): Don’t let the name fool you. This exfoliant has both salicylic acid to unclog pores and glycolic acid to fade away the dark spots pimples sometimes leave behind. Available at Cult Beauty and SpaceNK.
- Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid ($29.00): The cult exfoliant from the brand, it unlclogs pores and treats blackheads and acne. The texture’s a little sticky, but if you can take that, this is one of the best salicylic acid exfoliants out there. Available at Cult Beauty, Paula’s Choice, Sephora, and SpaceNK.
- The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid (£9.99): A simple, no-frills salicylic acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Cult Beauty and Sephora.
DRY SKIN
Use glycolic acid two or three nights a week. It exfoliates and hydrates skin at the same time.
Why glycolic? It’s a small molecule, which means it penetrates deeper into skin. That makes it effective, but also means it can be irritating if overused. Start slow, go steady.
Also great if you’re dealing with dullness or fine lines. Glycolic is often used in anti-aging formulas because it speeds up cell turnover and gives your skin that glow-from-within thing everyone wants.
Best Picks:
- Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($90.00): This exfoliant contains two exfoliants. Glycolic Acid to fade away dark spots and Salicylic Acid to unclog pores. Available at Cult Beauty, Sephora and SpaceNK
- Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA ($33.00): A wonderful low strength Glycolic Acid exfoliant that makes skin softer, smoother, and brighter. Available at Paula’s Choice
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (£6.80): A gentle, no-frills Glycolic Acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Beauty Bay and Cult Beauty
SENSITIVE SKIN
Use lactic acid once a twice a week. It exfoliates and hydrates skin at the same time, but it’s much gentler than glycolic acid.
Pro tip: Always patch test first. Sensitive skin can react to anything, even good stuff. Lactic acid is one of the most well-tolerated AHAs, but your skin is unique. Listen to it.
Also? Lactic acid is amazing for barrier repair over time. It helps strengthen skin while also removing dull, flaky bits.
Best Picks:
- Peach & Lily Power Cocktail Lactic Acid Repair Serum ($51.00): It has 10% lactic acid to exfoliate and brighten skin, plus antioxidants and soothing ingredients that can help you fight premature aging and reduce redness. Sensitive skin can’t tolerate the most powerful anti-aging ingredients, like retinoids, so this is the next best thing. Available at Peach & Lily and Ulta
- Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment – US Version ($105.00): A luxury exfoliant that deeply hydrates skin and helps to fade away dark spots. Available at Sephora and Ulta
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% ($6.79): A mild concentration that hydrates, exfoliates, and brightens the complexion. There’s also a 10% version available, when you’re ready to upgrade. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary and Ulta
Related: How To Choose The Best Exfoliator For Your Skin Type
The Bottom Line
I love a good home remedy, but using baking soda to exfoliate skin is just asking for trouble. Don’t do it!
I have never and will never exfoliate with baking soda for the exact reasons in this post! I’ll definitely link this to someone when they mention it. I think it’s confusing for people because some brands say right on the box that you can exfoliate with it. Argh!
Lexie, thank you for sharing it. Exfoliating with baking soda is really bad for skin. I believe that a cosmetic chemist may be able to create a formula that doesn’t damage skin (although even then I’d like to see the data), but home remedies with it are a no-no. They can do more harm than good.
Never used it for this, but good to know in case it comes to my mind one day:)
Helena, glad you never use it. 🙂
I use a solution of baking soda and water (about 1:6) as a desincrustation agent before I do extractions. I read that it helps. Is that terrible?
Bunnee, the ph of baking soda, when mixed with water, is still too high for skin, so it’s best to avoid it.
Excellent post! I’ve never used baking soda to exfoliate my face, but I’ve used other ingredients that I shouldn’t have, like sugar and lemon. Not for long and not anymore though. I prefer chemical exfoliators, they work great 🙂 x
Stavroula, I made the same mistakes too. 🙁 Thank goodness we know better now. And chemical exfoliants are the best indeed. 🙂
This was a very timely post! I just had a peel last week and was going to scrub with baking soda this evening to speed up the shedding process. I think I’ll opt for an aspirin mask instead.
Sage, glad you found it useful. Skin is very sensitive after a peel, so baking soda could be more damaging than usual.
I have a few times but was never too pleased with the results. Thanks for the helpful info! I also use it to wash my hair, but I follow with a vinegar rinse. I wonder if hair has an acid mantle?
Nirupama, you’re welcome. Yes, hair has an acid mantle too, and baking soda can damage that as well. It’s best not to use this ingredient at all for beauty purposes, at least not in homemade recipes.
I just started a salt scrub and decided to add brown sugar and baking soda to it. I only use 1 tspn of baking soda, 1 cup of salt and half a cup of sugar with an essential oil or two. Ive always had clear skin and using this has made it more clearer (even) and glow. Dr. Oz recommends baking soda for beautiful skin. Science is not that simple ph may be high but mixed with others, it’s fine and dillutes. And the skin is alot more tougher then one may think. The outer layer of the skin replaces itself every 35 days. I do a scrub using the ingredients above at least once, if not twice a month and my skin has never looked better. Eating healthy and drinking enough water will help skin as well.
Ashley, thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad your scrub works well for you. I agree that its harshness depends on many factors, including what you mix baking soda with. But my point is, with so many gentler and more effective ways to exfoliate skin, why choose baking soda?
Baking soda has been very effective for me and I love the gritty feeling of the scrub. When scrubbed gently I get great results. Alot of people make the mistake by scrubbing to hard which will make baking soda or any physical scrub alot harsher on the skin as well as using a physical scrub on acne prone skin. But thanks for the information with no physical evidence to show for it.
Ashley, I did explain the science behind it. I’m sorry that wasn’t enough for you. As for physical evidence, you said it yourself that baking soda can be too harsh on the skin. That’s true for other physical scrubs too but I don’t recommend those either. But I’m glad it works well for you and that you’re aware of the risks so you can minimize them.
What about hair? Is it ok to wash hair with baking soda? My husband does it, he thinks that it prevents baldness…
Sara, I wouldn’t use baking soda anywhere. And, unfortunately, there is no proof it can prevent baldness. 🙁
I learned about the pH of baking soda when I used a homemade deodorant with baking soda and coconut oil. It worked amazingly until I developed a painful rash. Even after that, I read that it was ok to use for exfoliation because you don’t leave it on your skin. I only learned exactly how important pH is when it comes to skincare very recently, so I won’t ever put it on my skin again.
Natasha, sorry you had to find out the wrong way. It’s appalling that so many “influencers” recommend baking soda as an exfoliant. It’s so bad for you. 🙁
I developed an allergic reaction to a natural deodorant that has baking soda. Hadn’t previously realized that seemingly harmless baking soda might cause allergies, and I appreciate the additional information in this article. Thank yoiu.