Four Amazing Uses for Baking Soda , 10 Best Budget Beauty Tips

Skin care

10 Best Budget Beauty Tips

How to use household items (even leftovers!) to look gorgeous on the cheap

October 7, 2009 | by Sarah Carrillo | 73 COMMENTS

Four Amazing Uses for Baking Soda

No. 1: As a Clarifying Shampoo: Mix 2 teaspoons baking soda with 1 cup water and use as a final rinse after shampooing.
No. 2: As a Facial Cleanser: Mix 1/2 teaspoon with your favorite cleanser for extra exfoliating (no need to buy a separate scrub!). This is fine for all skin types to do weekly, but dry skin may need to follow up with a rich moisturizer.
No. 3: As a Foot Powder: Sprinkle some baking soda into your workout shoes for stink-free and sweat-free feet.
No. 4: As a Teeth Whitener: It has a salty taste but baking soda is a classic tooth cleanser and whitener -- sprinkle on a damp toothbrush and brush as normal.

-- Janice Cox, Author of Natural Beauty at Home (Henry Holt & Company)

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Some unique, really surprising tips in here--loved this article!

by TheDivaRose Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 06:57PM Report as inappropriate

Nice

by Mollysunshine Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 01:51AM Report as inappropriate

Baking Soda sounds like a good way to make a face scrub. Now that's very cheap!

by EricaF123 Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 07:50AM Report as inappropriate

nice tips

by MissPaillette Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 06:00AM Report as inappropriate

Definitely trying the home spa! I thought you should just do it once at the end of the shower, but I'm definitely going to try switching back and forth.

by schien Monday, November 12, 2012 at 11:39AM Report as inappropriate

Interesting. Some good tips, but I think I'll stick with what I know, and what works well.

by robyne00 Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 05:55PM Report as inappropriate

Since we eat these products, shouldnt that help too?

by nicky22 Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 06:57AM Report as inappropriate

used to make an egg mask on my hair, it was way too smelly:( But it worked, especially with a good quality olive oil.

by lilas Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 01:16PM Report as inappropriate

Great tips, cant wait to try the honey conditioner and different kinds of masks.

by SarahNiikole Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 10:31AM Report as inappropriate

I've got some of these ideas saved!

by asiagirl4ever Sunday, July 15, 2012 at 11:03AM Report as inappropriate

I tried the honey hair mask, but I mixed it with olive oil. My hair feels stronger, but didn't give that silky smooth feeling. However, my hair definitely has lost the dry brittle feel it had before using it. I highly recommend this household alternative for conditioning dry, damaged hair.

by flirtygirl214 Monday, July 9, 2012 at 12:16PM Report as inappropriate

Great ideas for everday household products. It is always nice to look great and save money while doing so. I cannot wait to try the mashed potatoe foot soak, I really need it since I am pregnant.

by tonyadiamond Monday, July 9, 2012 at 12:03AM Report as inappropriate

Woo HOO!!! CHEAP NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS!!! So gonna use them all right away!!! LOVE THIS!!! 10/10

by nguyena Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 10:22PM Report as inappropriate

I love learning about all natural beauty products that we can make ourselves using products from our kitchen. I have recently fallen in love with organic coconut oil. I put some on my neck/throat area one night and my skin was amazingly soft the next morning. Thanks for all the great tips.

by metromarie Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 10:37PM Report as inappropriate

These tips are so creative. I love the natural elements and I cannot wait to try them! The honey as a conditioner - hope it works.

by flirtygirl214 Friday, July 6, 2012 at 09:39PM Report as inappropriate

i've heard of most of these things, but i'd never guess you could use a potato to depuff eyes.

by liliofthevalley Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 06:18PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting tips. I never heard of potato on the eyes.

by TBjunkie Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 07:52PM Report as inappropriate

amazing tips

by mayra_alonzo Friday, April 27, 2012 at 09:48PM Report as inappropriate

nice

by Nicole2814 Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 05:22PM Report as inappropriate

Great article. Thank you for sharing!

by lisiana_de_bem_justino Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 08:22PM Report as inappropriate

Love all the natural products mentioned in here!

by pynkNymphette Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 12:06AM Report as inappropriate

Great tips! Thanks :)

by MissXu Sunday, April 8, 2012 at 02:28PM Report as inappropriate

Baking soda as a face scrub is a great idea to try out.

by beautybody Friday, March 23, 2012 at 09:16PM Report as inappropriate

Nice tips.

by lazorc Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 07:45PM Report as inappropriate

Don't try to whiten your teeth! All those chemicals that you're smearing on to them just causes the enamel to wear down, especially with baking soda.... it cause so much damage in the long run!!!

by brendag20127 Monday, March 5, 2012 at 06:09PM Report as inappropriate

Very interesting information and helpful for those of us who are on a serious budget, I know I am!

by RoleModel Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 09:59PM Report as inappropriate

I will be trying honey on my face soon

by LittleBunny Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 01:52PM Report as inappropriate

great advice

by Nicole2814 Friday, November 18, 2011 at 09:48PM Report as inappropriate

Great ideas!

by MysticMeercat Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 09:01PM Report as inappropriate

thanks for this information, cheap and its a great way to save,

by selle_lou Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 06:18PM Report as inappropriate

I love these tips! I've heard of some of them, but many were new to me! Great article :)

by vfalkow Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:52AM Report as inappropriate

love these tips and tricks.

by stephgal Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 09:25PM Report as inappropriate

I have read a lot about honey for your hair but have also read that it lightens your hair with continual use. For DARK HAIR-Molasses work the same. (Only thing is that it smell a bit yucky, but I make sure to mask it with other yummy smelling products.)

by dimps2lv Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 04:15PM Report as inappropriate

Good ways to save $$$, liking the baking soda clarifying shampoo trick, gonna have to try it.

by dimps2lv Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 03:50PM Report as inappropriate

I agree with the fact that Green Tea Is good to drink. The reason why is because I would always drink tea so much instead something else. My parents always ask me why I drink so much Green Tea. One reason why I drink this type of tea is to stay awake when I am doing homework, my second reason is whenever I can not go to bed at certain nights, and third would be because it taste great and sometimes helps your body with a lot of things. For example maybe, nail growth or hair growth. Also I drink tea because of how sweet it is as well.

by Iman Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 01:22PM Report as inappropriate

I'm all about saving money! Whoop!

by Bon_Bon Monday, August 15, 2011 at 02:37AM Report as inappropriate

I want to try all these!!!! :D

by lanigaga Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 01:13PM Report as inappropriate

like banana........

by gunj Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 08:27PM Report as inappropriate

The honey works I have tried it it also softens your skin and gives moisture.

by BeautySloth Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 12:19AM Report as inappropriate

the lemon for stained nail works great!

by monpetitchou Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 04:31PM Report as inappropriate

Okay, if that tip for yellow-stained nails works, I may die of happiness. SO COOL!

by bukiyounahito Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 09:47AM Report as inappropriate

The foot soak with potatoes or oatmeal sound easy, I'll def give those a try!

by awan0912 Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at 05:30PM Report as inappropriate

Baking soda is awesome for skin, hair and teeth. I also like olive oil on my cuticles and coconut oil is a great deep conditioner for dry, damaged hair.

by RoleModel Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 01:01AM Report as inappropriate

The hydrotherapy gave me chills!

by gaej19 Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 02:17PM Report as inappropriate

If I paid $95 for a spa treatment and they sprayed me with cold water, I would not be a happy customer. The other ideas sound great. I am going to try the potato foot soak, and I've used honey as a masque many times.

by alictasia Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 07:34PM Report as inappropriate

LOVE IT!

by LancomeLover223 Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 02:39PM Report as inappropriate

Great tips! I won't do the "hot/cold shower one, because that just sounds insane to me. I have tried the brown sugar scrub before, and it was great.

by MissPurple Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 07:34AM Report as inappropriate

sweet i did not know about the stawberries

by kiofairy Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 09:06PM Report as inappropriate

baking soda - facial exfoliant! it's not too abrasive because it's fine grain but still helps loosen up those dead skin cells

by tr3kkie9rl Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 11:52AM Report as inappropriate

baking soda truly works as a teeth whitener, not the greatest taste but cheaper than the store bought products...thumbs up!

by abcd Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 02:56PM Report as inappropriate

sweet.... ~^..^~... I like using lemons w/sugar for those nasty little rough spots we get on the elbow sometimes. My fav.. use for the lemon!!-- squeeze out some juice in small bowl then mix in a bit of sugar, put on ur face and makes the best ever exfoliant ever. and tastes yummy to.

by Dena2010 Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 06:38AM Report as inappropriate

Good tips. Although I'm not sure I can alternate hot/cold water in the shower... too intense!

by LipglossandSpandex Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 10:03PM Report as inappropriate

good info

by AmandaAmanda Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 08:14PM Report as inappropriate

this is smart. [:

by yckitsmary Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 07:19PM Report as inappropriate

Honey as bubble bath? That sounds pretty neat! I'm going to try that next time I have time. Budget tips like these are great.

by mkgx7 Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 11:55AM Report as inappropriate

saves me a lot of money!

by brendag20127 Monday, March 21, 2011 at 07:30PM Report as inappropriate

Wonderful and cheap ideas! Thank you!

by LittleBunny Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 05:01AM Report as inappropriate

These are the best DIY recipes i've read in a very long time!

by hostagekitty Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 08:04PM Report as inappropriate

looks like I'm going to have a busy day off haha

by Bon_Bon Monday, February 21, 2011 at 03:48PM Report as inappropriate

strawberries for acne??? are u serious!! Most people break out because of them!!

by judyangel101 Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 06:37PM Report as inappropriate

I love DIY beauty treatments

by LittleBunny Friday, February 11, 2011 at 03:32PM Report as inappropriate

i hope to save some money!

by kenya Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at 01:00PM Report as inappropriate

This was very help ful ! Btw: i just made a face mask made of avocado, extra virgin olive oil, and shea butter. AMAZING results. I can't stop touching my face it is so soft !

by deelishis911 Friday, November 19, 2010 at 08:32PM Report as inappropriate

I MAKE MYOWN FACIAL MASK USING HONEY, SEA KELP POWDER FOUND AT SPROUTS

by phxazgranny Friday, March 26, 2010 at 11:25PM Report as inappropriate

I loved this article. The baking soda as a rinse for the hair really works! My daughter has dry and curly hair, and after we have used this, it feels really soft and nice. I have used the avacados on my skin and it really does moisturize, but I have also added a little corn meal to use as a scrub. I still leave it on for a while and then rinse. It makes my skin feel really good. I have also used oatmeal and almonds (I grind them in my coffee grinder till the almonds are like a powder, then add the oatmeal and grind it like powder)with honey for my face. It kind of acts like a scrub and mask in one. I can't wait to use the oatmeal as soak for my feet.

by bridgetb Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 11:17AM Report as inappropriate

The baking soda with face wash/body wash works great as a scrub. It can be a bit drying on the face, so mix it with a gentle cleanser.

by rmc1469 Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 06:16AM Report as inappropriate

I just tried the honey, works great! i have extremely curly hair, that lacks moisture and this completely restored life to my curls! thank you soo much.

by bellamoonshadow Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 06:55PM Report as inappropriate

Oh, I love DIY beauty concoctions - so fun! We talked about these types of things on the Skin Care episode of my podcast last month "The Because Show", esp. love a mayonaisse hair mask!

by thebecauseshow Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 06:51PM Report as inappropriate

Thanks, I'm really for all natural.....

by tulip828 Monday, December 21, 2009 at 12:16AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks! This is really good stuff. Can't wait to try all of them! =)

by ShinYi Monday, October 26, 2009 at 07:48PM Report as inappropriate

NIce sounding recipes for cosmetics...I am wondering now if the potato slices on the eyes works on dark circles or not?? Gonna try these, especially the honey and the sugar scrub...really nice sounding.

by kinderspirit Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 03:45AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks!Great ways to make homemade products.

by crazynana Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 11:39AM Report as inappropriate

As for being a practical one, I see no mistake in spending less in making yourself beautiful, anyway it doesn’t have to be expensive to be beautiful. In fact, many say less expensive beauty products are more effective than those expensive one. To be beautiful doesn’t need you to spend more than of your budget and get payday loans to use for it if you can have it in a convenient ways.

by ShyannG Friday, October 9, 2009 at 03:56AM Report as inappropriate

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