There are many benefits of combining coconut oil and baking soda, as they form an excellent cleanser, exfoliator, moisturizer and immune booster for your body, namely on your skin, face, and hair. Many people praise the health benefits of coconut oil, considering that it is rich in beneficial fatty acids, protects against infections, stimulates healing, and soothes inflammation both inside and out. Coconut oil also possesses certain antioxidant vitamins and polyphenols that can protect against oxidative stress, affecting everything from the wrinkles on your face to your risk of developing a chronic disease.
Similarly, people have been using baking soda for decades as an easy do-it-yourself cleanser, both around the house and in cosmetic applications. However, combining the two, particularly on the sensitive skin of your face, makes some people nervous. In particular, the idea of using baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) on the face can be a bit daunting, but it is completely healthy, provided you don’t have extremely sensitive skin. Even if you do, simply use a 2:1 ratio of coconut oil to baking soda, rather than the recommended 1:1 ratio for that deep, exfoliating cleanse.
Baking soda is an amphoteric substance, meaning that it can react with both acids and bases, helping to balance the pH balance in either direction. It is essentially the ultimate neutral substance, and for people who have high acidity in their bodies or on their skin, this can be hugely beneficial. Acidic conditions are perfect for the development of infection and illness, so it is important to have the right balance on the body’s largest organ. Bringing coconut oil into the mix makes the preparation even stronger. [1]
Uses of Coconut Oil & Baking Soda for Skin
Maintains Healthy pH
When it comes to the skin, baking soda will react with either the alkaline or acidic compounds there and help bring your skin’s pH back to a healthy, neutral level. As per the USDA, coconut oil is rich in nutrients that help to moisturize the skin and deliver an immune response to any pathogens or infections that may have developed in these acidic conditions. This is followed up by a reduction in inflammation and the stimulation of new, healthy cell growth. [2] [3]
Prevents Acne
The face is the part of our bodies (and skin) that receives the most attention, so issues like acne, scarring, wrinkles and age spots can be a tragic development as we get older. Coconut oil has slightly astringent properties, helping to improve elasticity and eliminate the free radicals that often cause cellular breakdown and premature aging. On the other hand, baking soda can help unclog pores and lower your chances of developing acne, while balancing the pH level of the face and providing a healthy glow to your visage. [4]
Coconut oil is helpful in boosting energy. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Hair Care
Coconut oil is a popular ingredient in hair masks, as it can protect against protein loss, increase the strength of hair strands, reduce symptoms of dandruff, eliminate split ends, and help your hair retain moisture. Baking soda is also a great hair tonic, able to remove foul orders and excess oiliness from the hair, due to its neutralizing nature, while also balancing the pH balance of the scalp to prevent dandruff. Mixing these two together in a 1:1 ratio is a comprehensive approach to improving the health of your hair. [5]
Use of Coconut Oil & Baking Soda as a Toothpaste
One of the best natural toothpaste options is a combination of baking soda and coconut oil, as this can help lower acidity in the mouth, whiten teeth, eliminate bacteria and fungi, and improve bad breath. Individually, coconut oil is popular in a practice called oil pulling, which involves swishing the oil in the mouth for 20-30 minutes in order to draw out toxins, thanks to the antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant qualities of the oil. This is particularly important for eliminating certain bacteria that release acidity and increase the rate of tooth decay. [6]
Baking soda, on the other hand, is an amphoteric substance, meaning that it can react with both acidic and basic substances to bring pH balance back to a neutral level. In the mouth, this means creating a neutral environment, where bacteria find it hard to thrive, while also acting as a mildly abrasive substance that scrubs, cleanses and whitens the teeth. [7]
To make your own coconut oil and baking soda toothpaste, simply combine the two ingredients in an equal ratio (depending on the size of the batch you want to make), and mix thoroughly. You can even add an essential oil (peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon etc.) to add a bit more flavor to the mixture. Once this toothpaste cools, it will harden slightly and be ready next time you want to give your teeth a thorough scrub!
