Baking Soda Face Scrub
Dangerous for Skin Barrier
The Viral Claim
"Mixing baking soda with water creates a cheap, deep-cleaning scrub that physically grinds away blackheads and absorbs oil."
Why it exploded on TikTok
It feels extremely 'scrubby' and leaves the skin feeling squeaky clean, which leads teens to falsely believe their pores have been emptied.
Medical Expert Review
Healthy skin is inherently acidic (pH 4.5-5.5). Baking soda is extremely alkaline (pH 9). Scrubbing an highly alkaline powder into the face completely destroys the acid mantle, crippling the skin's ability to defend itself against acne-causing bacteria. The physical jagged edges of the crystals cause micro-tears in the epidermis, leading to severe long-term bacterial infections and immense barrier inflammation.
Safe Alternatives
Don't risk destroying your skin barrier. Instead of baking soda face scrub, utilize these clinically-proven, teen-safe alternatives.