Natural Beauty with Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is one of my top "at home" natural beauty ingredients. I love it because it can be used from head to toe to keep your skin and hair healthy and clean. It also helps detox our bodies and neutralize acids.

Baking soda is naturally found in mineral deposits, lake sediments and groundwater. You can even find it sometimes in ocean water. In the US most of our baking soda is mined. As a consumer it is easily found at your local grocery store and I bet you have a box or package right now in your home. I love Arm & Hammer baking soda and yes this is sort of an #ad for them as I just joined their online "Simple Solutions" community and you can too -- simply click here.

Of course my favorite way to use baking soda is in creating my own body care products and treatments. You can use it to cleanse your hair and scalp, relax and detox your body in the bath and shower, deodorize your body and cleanse your mouth, teeth and gums. It also makes a skin scrub that is gentle enough to be used on your face. Here are a few of my favorite recipes featuring this all natural product:

Cleansing Hair Rinse

If you want to get your hair super clean and remove all traces of styling products. A baking soda rinse can do that. I always do before going to my hair stylist and many will recommend especially if you color your hair.

Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda and 1 cup warm water. Massage into your hair and scalp and rinse well.

Yield: 8 ounces

Soothing Tooth Powder

Baking soda has been used for years as a natural tooth and mouth cleanser. Here is a simple tooth powder that is soothing if you have sensitive teeth and gums and not as "salty" in taste. Arrowroot powder can be found in the natural food section of most grocery stores.

1 Tablespoon arrowroot powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 /2 teaspoon baking soda

1-2 drops peppermint oil (optional)

Mix together all ingredients and spoon into a clean, dry container. To use: dip a damp toothbrush into this powder and brush your teeth.

Yield: 1 1/2 ounces

Super Muscle Soothing Salt Mix

This is the perfect bath after a day of strenuous physical activity. The natural salts help boost circulation, soothe sore muscles and detox your body. I keep a large jar of this mixture next to my tub. You can also use it in the shower as a stimulating all over body scrub.

1 cup baking soda

1 cup epsom salts

1 cup sea salt or kosher salt

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a clean jar. To use: Pour 1 /2 cup to 1 cup into your tub depending on size as your fill your tub. To use in the shower tie up 1 /4 cup in a cotton washcloth and use as a "scrubbing sack" all over your body.

Yield: 24 ounces

For more ways to use baking soda for health, beauty and body care check out my DIY beauty books or go on the Arm & Hammer website. They are offering a free "Self Care" kit this month to get you started.

xoxo Janice