Difference between Baking Soda and Baking Powder for Skin

Find out the difference between baking soda and baking powder for skin, hair and overall beauty!

Though baking soda and baking powder are both leaveners used in baking, they are actually different in their chemical composition. For skin and beauty purposes, you can’t use both baking powder and baking soda – there’s only one that should be used for these purposes! Let’s see:

What is Baking Soda?

Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. It is a white solid that is crystalline and appears as a fine white powder.

You probably don’t know where baking soda is got from, right?! Well, it is actually a mineral that is mined! It is mined from ground containing the minerals: nahcolite and trona. These minerals are refined into soda ash (calcium carbonate) then turned into baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). The world’s largest trona deposit is located in United states which is the biggest producer of baking soda. For usage in beauty and consumption, make sure you are getting pure, high quality baking soda.

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So now we know where baking soda comes from, what exactly is baking soda?! Well, it is an alkaline substance also known as a base (high school chemistry anyone?!). When mixed with an acid, a base is known to give a reaction – it bubbles and foams up! So when you mix baking soda in vinegar/lemon juice, it will start to bubble and foam up!

Baking soda is loved by DIYer’s all around the world! It has so many uses from cooking to cleaning! Baking soda is also amazing for beauty purposes! Here are some of the beauty benefits of baking soda:

Cleanses the scalp and hair
Exfoliates skin
Reduces an oily scalp
Unclogs blocked pores
Helps in teeth whitening naturally
And more!

What is Baking Powder?

According to Wikipedia, baking powder is a dry chemical leavening agent which is a mixture of a carbonate or bicarbonate (like baking soda!) and a weak acid. It is used for increasing the volume and lightening the texture of baked goods. It’s basically a mixture of baking soda and a dry acid like cream of tartar. Corn starch maybe added to help keep the two ingredients separate and dry.

How does baking powder work? Well, there’s chemistry involved there! It works by releasing carbon dioxide gas into a batter or dough through an acid-base reaction. This reaction causes bubbles in the wet mixture to expand, thereby leavening the mixture.

So what’s it used for? Baking powder is strictly used for baking purposes. It’s unlike baking soda, that has a multitude of uses!

So Is there a Difference between Baking Soda and Baking Powder for Skin and More?

Yes, there is a difference between baking soda and baking powder! Baking soda and baking powder are different from each other as we saw above! Here is a list showing some of the major differences:

Baking soda is purely for baking while baking soda is a multi-purpose ingredient used for a variety of uses including cooking, cleaning and beauty purposes!
Baking soda has an indefinite shelf life – yes it doesn’t get expired while baking powder can get expired within 3-12 months. Chances are, if you live in a humid environment, store your baking powder well after opening the box because once opened, it may not last for more than a few months.

So those are the major differences. Now can you use baking soda and baking powder for skin? Or can you use baking powder if you haven’t got baking soda at home? Find the answer below!

Baking Soda or Baking Powder for Skin?

Definitely use only baking soda for skin. Don’t use baking powder. Baking soda is the one with all the beauty benefits, including skin & hair cleansing, exfoliating skin and more! If you don’t have baking soda at home, then baking powder is not a good substitute.

Check out some amazing beauty posts using baking soda below: