When used correctly and sparingly, baking soda offers several targeted benefits:Physical Exfoliation: The small granules act as a manual scrub, helping to slough off dead skin cells and surface debris. This can make the skin feel instantly smoother and look brighter.Blackhead Removal: By physically scrubbing the skin and absorbing excess oils, it can help dislodge the “plugs” in pores that form blackheads.Drying Effect on Acne: Its alkaline nature and ability to absorb oil can help dry out active, oily pimples quickly.Surface Brightening: While it doesn’t “bleach” deep pigmentation, removing the top layer of dead skin can make age spots appear slightly lighter on the surface.Why Caution is NecessaryDermatologists often warn against frequent use of baking soda because of its pH level.Healthy skin is naturally acidic ($pH \approx 4.5$ to $5.5$), which helps maintain the “acid mantle”—a protective barrier against bacteria and moisture loss.Baking soda is highly alkaline ($pH \approx 9.0$). Applying it can disrupt this barrier, leading to extreme dryness, redness, and in some cases, making acne worse by leaving the skin vulnerable to infection.Simple Baking Soda Exfoliating PasteIf you choose to use this remedy, it should be treated as an occasional treatment (no more than once a week) to avoid damaging your skin barrier.Prep time: 2 minutesIngredients2 teaspoons Baking soda (fresh from a new box to ensure purity)1 teaspoon Warm waterMoisturizer (Crucial for after-care)InstructionsMix: In a small bowl, combine the baking soda and water until a smooth, thick paste forms.Cleanse: Wash your face with a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser first to remove surface dirt and makeup.Apply: Using your fingertips, gently massage the paste onto the areas with blackheads or age spots using circular motions. Do not scrub hard; let the granules do the work.Wait: Leave the paste on for no more than 2 to 3 minutes. If you feel any stinging or burning, rinse it off immediately.Rinse: Use lukewarm water to thoroughly remove the paste, then finish with a splash of cool water.Hydrate: Immediately apply a high-quality moisturizer to restore hydration and help your skin’s barrier recover from the alkaline exposure.