Beauty

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Just because something is natural, doesn't mean it's good to use in any/every application. I avoid using baking soda on my face as it can change the pH of the skin and hurt the protective acid mantle, especially if used regularly, thus exposing the skin to various types of damage - dryness, irritation, redness, breakouts.  Being one's own chemist in the bathroom is risky as no untrained person knows how much is too much.  Maybe commercially prepared formulas aren't as bad because they include some counteracting ingredients.  I don't like DermAppeal and I've never tried Lancer.  There are other products that can exfoliate without baking soda. 

[SilleeMee]

A better option to use for exfoliation is commercially available exfoliation crystals where you can add those to your cleanser. Aluminum oxide crystals are inert meaning they don't react with the skin's natural pH or with the products you add them to. Find them on Amazon.

Another option is fine-milled pumice powder which is basically the same as silica powder. Pumice/silica powder can also be added to cleansers w/o concerns with chemical reactivity plus it will not change the pH of your skin as baking soda can do.

[Shelbelle]

I just bought the Nakery Microderm made with pumice and other good ingredients, not tried it yet. I think the one from dr Denese is also pumice. 

[NYCLatinaMe]

@bargainsgirl   

@JeanLouiseFinch makes a great point about pH.  I suggested a scrubbing pad or towel thinking you were trying to save funds by using baking soda.

But my preferred facial exfoliators are acids: glycolic, mandelic, lactic, malic. Acids exfoliate the skin, and helps most get smoother, softer, glowier skin.  This has been my expereince.  Please follow the instructions on any acid you choose to use,

According to the healthline website:

The pH scale is from 0 to 14. Anything above 7 is alkaline, and anything below 7 is acidic. A pH of 7.0 is neutral.

The skin is naturally acidic, with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. This range keeps the skin moisturized with healthy oils while also protecting it from bacteria and pollution.  Disrupting this pH acid mantle can damage the skin.

Baking soda has a pH level of 9. Applying it to the skin can strip it of all its natural oils and leave it unprotected from bacteria.  Consistent use of baking soda on the skin can affect how quickly the skin can recover and rehydrate.

They state baking soda can be used on the skin ocasionally to treat acne.  But its side effects include:

overdrying of the skin
early onset of wrinkles
worsened acne breakouts
skin irritation and inflammation

[Pink123]

No, No, No. - Huh?  If you have sensitie skin no one should use an abrasive like baking soda no matter how mild it is. I  don't care unless Your dark latina or olive tone complexion

Please avoid this at all costs.  A little crazy...

I might add if you disrupt your skin and rub it to death will all these harsh abrasive's your red capillaries will come out on your cheeks big time. That means Rosacea... that's all it it is. Stay away. 

[ahoymate]

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@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:

Just because something is natural, doesn't mean it's good to use in any/every application. I avoid using baking soda on my face as it can change the pH of the skin and hurt the protective acid mantle, especially if used regularly, thus exposing the skin to various types of damage - dryness, irritation, redness, breakouts.  Being one's own chemist in the bathroom is risky as no untrained person knows how much is too much.  Maybe commercially prepared formulas aren't as bad because they include some counteracting ingredients.  I don't like DermAppeal and I've never tried Lancer.  There are other products that can exfoliate without baking soda. 

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Yes, like a face cloth!

[NYCLatinaMe]

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@Pink123 wrote:

No, No, No. - Huh?  If you have sensitie skin no one should use an abrasive like baking soda no matter how mild it is. I  don't care unless Your dark latina or olive tone complexion

Please avoid this at all costs.  A little crazy...

I might add if you disrupt your skin and rub it to death will all these harsh abrasive's your red capillaries will come out on your cheeks big time. That means Rosacea... that's all it it is. Stay away. 

---

@Pink123   I don't think baking soda would be good in any Latina olive complexion, including mine, and I am not sure why you are excepting Latinas or olive complexion people as someone who could use baking soda.  I wouldn't go near it.  I use no abrasives on my face and stick to acids.  I don't think the complexion matters.  The skin is acidic. 

I have no idea what the complexion of @bargainsgirl  is.  She is the one who asked the question.

[San Antonio Gal]

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@NYCLatinaMe wrote:

@bargainsgirl   

@JeanLouiseFinch makes a great point about pH.  I suggested a scrubbing pad or towel thinking you were trying to save funds by using baking soda.

But my preferred facial exfoliators are acids: glycolic, mandelic, lactic, malic. Acids exfoliate the skin, and helps most get smoother, softer, glowier skin.  This has been my expereince.  Please follow the instructions on any acid you choose to use,

According to the healthline website:

The pH scale is from 0 to 14. Anything above 7 is alkaline, and anything below 7 is acidic. A pH of 7.0 is neutral.

The skin is naturally acidic, with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. This range keeps the skin moisturized with healthy oils while also protecting it from bacteria and pollution.  Disrupting this pH acid mantle can damage the skin.

Baking soda has a pH level of 9. Applying it to the skin can strip it of all its natural oils and leave it unprotected from bacteria.  Consistent use of baking soda on the skin can affect how quickly the skin can recover and rehydrate.

They state baking soda can be used on the skin ocasionally to treat acne.  But its side effects include:

overdrying of the skin
early onset of wrinkles
worsened acne breakouts
skin irritation and inflammation

---

This is good information @NYCLatinaMe  about the pH levels.  Thanks for sharing.

[San Antonio Gal]

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@NYCLatinaMe wrote:

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@Pink123 wrote:

No, No, No. - Huh?  If you have sensitie skin no one should use an abrasive like baking soda no matter how mild it is. I  don't care unless Your dark latina or olive tone complexion

Please avoid this at all costs.  A little crazy...

I might add if you disrupt your skin and rub it to death will all these harsh abrasive's your red capillaries will come out on your cheeks big time. That means Rosacea... that's all it it is. Stay away. 

---

@Pink123   I don't think baking soda would be good in any Latina olive complexion, including mine, and I am not sure why you are excepting Latinas or olive complexion people as someone who could use baking soda.  I wouldn't go near it.  I use no abrasives on my face and stick to acids.  I don't think the complexion matters.  The skin is acidic. 

I have no idea what the complexion of @bargainsgirl  is.  She is the one who asked the question.

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I agree @NYCLatinaMe .  Baking soda would be abrasive on olive complexions also.

[NYCLatinaMe]

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@San Antonio Gal wrote:

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@NYCLatinaMe wrote:

@bargainsgirl   

@JeanLouiseFinch makes a great point about pH.  I suggested a scrubbing pad or towel thinking you were trying to save funds by using baking soda.

But my preferred facial exfoliators are acids: glycolic, mandelic, lactic, malic. Acids exfoliate the skin, and helps most get smoother, softer, glowier skin.  This has been my expereince.  Please follow the instructions on any acid you choose to use,

According to the healthline website:

The pH scale is from 0 to 14. Anything above 7 is alkaline, and anything below 7 is acidic. A pH of 7.0 is neutral.

The skin is naturally acidic, with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. This range keeps the skin moisturized with healthy oils while also protecting it from bacteria and pollution.  Disrupting this pH acid mantle can damage the skin.

Baking soda has a pH level of 9. Applying it to the skin can strip it of all its natural oils and leave it unprotected from bacteria.  Consistent use of baking soda on the skin can affect how quickly the skin can recover and rehydrate.

They state baking soda can be used on the skin ocasionally to treat acne.  But its side effects include:

overdrying of the skin
early onset of wrinkles
worsened acne breakouts
skin irritation and inflammation

---

This is good information @NYCLatinaMe  about the pH levels.  Thanks for sharing.

---

@San Antonio Gal I was thinking after I posted that I forgot to mention salycilic acid, which I don't use because my skin is dry, but it is supposed to be good for oily skin.  Don't know what kind of skin the op has.  It is included in some anti-aging products, and in greater concentration in acne products.