It may be synonymous with baking, but it's time to bring the bicarbonate of soda out from the back of your top cupboard and into your beauty regime.
Want smoother skin? Whiter teeth? Fresher hair? Of course you do! And this handy little household good can help you achieve all three - and plenty more.
Read on to find out how...
As a cleansing shampoo
If your dry shampoo habit has left your hair feeling decidedly unclean, baking soda can work wonders. The exfoliating ingredient is a miracle worker when it comes to cleansing your scalp. All you have to do is add a teaspoon to your regular shampoo and wash the grime away.
As a dry shampoo
As well as being a brilliant hair cleanser, baking soda also doubles as a dry shampoo for those days when you just want to hit snooze one more time.
To whiten your teeth
If you were hooked on Love Island this summer (who wasn't?), then you're probably frantically googling 'teeth whiteners'. Step away from the peroxide and add a spot of bicarbonate of soda to your regime. Whip up a combo of baking soda, sea salt, coconut oil and peppermint oil for your whitest smile yet.
To clean your hairbrush and makeup brushes
We don't clean our hair and makeup brushes enough. Fact. Yes, we know it's a chore, but you'll be horrified when you find out how many germs are lurking. Fill up a bowl with warm water, add a few teaspoons of baking soda and drop your brushes in. When it's that easy, there's really no excuse.
For smoother skin
Microbeads are destroying the planet so opt for a natural facial exfoliator instead. According to Natural Living Ideas, baking soda 'will help remove sebum and dead skin cells from the face and its antimicrobial properties will prevent skin infections'. Add some to a splash of water and buff away.
To remove fake tan
Fake tan is a god-send but the streaky, leftover residue when it's worn off certainly isn't a gift from heaven. Baking soda mixed with lemon juice is a miracle worker for removing fake tan mishaps; who knew?
Anyone else rooting around in the back of their cupboard after reading this?
