Baking soda on the face: benefits, risks, and how to use it safely (plus 4 gentle recipes).

What exactly is baking soda, and why has it become a skincare trend?
 Baking soda, also known as  sodium bicarbonate, is a white crystalline powder with a pH of around 9, making it decidedly alkaline. In cooking, it acts as a leavening agent, but online it has gained popularity as an inexpensive facial exfoliant and oil absorber. Users claim it gently exfoliates dead skin cells, helps control excess sebum, and can soothe minor irritations thanks to its mild antibacterial properties, which have been found in some previous studies.

Its appeal