My son is 12 years old and has bad acne for about 1 1/2 years. I tried many of the over the counter products: cleansers, facial scrubs, toners, astringents, and moisturizers, but nothing worked. While doing some house cleaning using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and water it occured to me to try that for a face wash for him. I made a paste and have him use it every morning and every night ~ he uses it like any other facial cleanser and it has been fantastic! The pimples have shrunk in size and many are gone. His pores are much smaller. It doesn't burn, sting, or dry out his face. And best of all, it is really inexpensive.
Replied By Rose (Gaithersburg, Md.) on 01/20/2010
A friend told me about this website, and its has changed my thinking about the products that I have been applying on my face. I have had bad acne and was put on acutane, which worked. lately I've noticed some little blemish coming back..
I started gently washing my face and body with Baking soda, I haven't used soap at all and find my skin complexion to be clear, and my body is not that itchy. I do have a question about long term use of baking soda on the face? Has anyone out there been using it long term??Replied By Achdah (Atlanta, Ga) on 03/15/2010
I was a big acne suffer for many years. I've been using baking soda and diluted peppermint soap for over 2 years as a facial wash. I found that baking soda is a great exfoliate when added to the natural cleanser. I also use baking soda as a body exfollient once per month. My skin is clear and soft. I have recently begun using coconut oil as a moisturizer. At one time any type of moisturize would have exacerbated my acne. In essence, you are on the right track.Replied By Sandy (Silver Spring, Md) on 05/31/2010
I have adult acne for 4years, I am 41yrs old. Finally I found this site and started treat my face with baking soda and acv and olive oil for 2weeks, but I got a lot of small pimples appear on my forehead. Is it ok? or Do I have to stop using it? If anyone know about this please tell me.Replied By Dianna (Austin, Tx) on 06/22/2010
it is probably the olive oil. for me olive oil makes me break out even though my skin is more prone to dryness. sesame oil makes me break out too. i usually do not have pimples pretty much ever - so i can tell soon whether or not something is causing me to break out and i've used either olive oil or sesame oil and the very next day had a cystic type pimple show up!try using another oil - castor oil works for me - virgin coconut oil works good too - but my skin is too dry for the VCO.
Replied By Alib (Swansea, Wales, Uk) on 10/22/2010
Spots and acne are the body's way in some people of getting toxins out of the body. Some natural products will actually encourage toxin removal by triggering rashes or spots. What that really should tell you is that your diet is wrong. All detox symptoms - rashes, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc. , are coming from within and the the only ways the stuff can get there is through the mouth and skin from the food we eat or the chemical-based skin products and make-up etc. , that we use. 'You are what you eat' is a very true statement. The more sugar and processed carbs we eat the more likely it is that our bodies will have to detox. Cleaning up the diet and concentrating on fresh natural foods and pure water is the key but it won't necessarily stop the spots and acne overnight - the body will have to clear the toxin backlog first.Replied By Katy (Alexandria, Va) on 11/20/2011
I suffer from acne also. I have yet to try the baking soda on my face but I plan on doing so soon. As for which oils to use, I use Jojoba Oil, 2-3 drops is plenty enough. If you use to much you will look oily, but I read that a study on Jojoba Oil shows that the oil is much like the sebum our body produces. And too much sebum can cause pimples; so essentially with the jojoba oil, our body doesn't need to produce as much sebum and will not over produce. I hope this was clear enough to understand!Replied By Katy (Alexandria, Va, Usa) on 12/20/2011
I did try the baking soda and water mixture on my face as an exfolliant. My face was smoother after just one use and and blackheads on my nose were completely gone!! I'm sure that regular usage, maybe once or twice a week would have phenomenal effects. I have a friend who is an esthetician, and she told me that after chemical peels they use the baking soda/water paste to neutralize the bad effects of the peel.