Baking Soda in Skincare: What It Can and Can’t Do
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is sometimes promoted as a home remedy for dark spots, wrinkles, and dark circles, but there is limited evidence that it improves these concerns, and it can irritate the skin.
Dark spots
- Baking soda may temporarily make skin feel smoother by removing some surface buildup, but it does not reliably fade pigmentation.
- Overuse can irritate the skin and potentially make dark spots worse through inflammation.
Wrinkles
- Baking soda cannot remove wrinkles or reverse aging.
- Ingredients with better evidence include retinoids (retinol/retinoids), sunscreen, and moisturizers.
Dark circles
- Dark circles often come from genetics, thin skin, shadows, allergies, lack of sleep, or pigmentation.
- Baking soda is unlikely to treat the underlying cause and may irritate the delicate under-eye area.
If you still want to try it
- Avoid using it as a harsh scrub.
- Do not apply it near the eyes.
- Patch-test on a small area first.
- Stop if you notice burning, redness, itching, or dryness.
Safer skincare habits for these concerns:
- Use daily sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) to prevent dark spots from worsening.
- Use gentle moisturizers to support the skin barrier.
- Consider proven ingredients such as retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, or azelaic acid depending on your skin type.
For persistent or changing dark spots—especially spots that grow, bleed, itch, or look unusual—a dermatologist can help determine the cause.
