Baking Soda (Cosmetic Grade)  

• Chemical name: Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃).
• A white crystalline powder with alkaline properties.
• When labeled cosmetic grade, it means it’s manufactured and purified to meet standards for safe topical use in skincare, haircare, and personal hygiene.
• Different from industrial-grade baking soda (used for cleaning) and food-grade (used in cooking).

🔹 Key Properties

• Alkaline (pH 8–9) → neutralizes acids, balances odors.
• Mild abrasive → useful for exfoliation and cleaning.
• Absorbent → soaks up excess oil and moisture.
• Deodorizing → neutralizes odor-causing bacteria.

🔹 Cosmetic & Personal Care Uses

1. Skin Care

• Exfoliant → removes dead skin cells when used in scrubs.
• Soothing baths → help with itching, irritation, and mild rashes.
• Detox masks (with clay or honey) → absorb oil and impurities.
  ⚠️ should be used sparingly — high alkalinity can disrupt the skin barrier if overused.

2. Hair Care

• Removes buildup from styling products (clarifying rinse).
• Used in small amounts in DIY dry shampoos.

3. Oral Care

• Found in toothpastes and powders for its mild abrasiveness and whitening effect.
• Neutralizes acids, reducing the risk of cavities and bad breath.

4. Deodorant

• Neutralizes odor-causing bacteria in natural deodorants.
• Often blended with arrowroot or clay powders for gentleness.

5. Bath & Body Products

• Used in bath bombs (reacts with citric acid to fizz).
• Common in foot soaks for odor control and skin softening.

🔹 Safety & Considerations

• Concentration matters → use in moderation (1–2% in lotions/creams, higher in bath bombs/deodorants).
• Skin sensitivity → may cause irritation, dryness, or pH imbalance if overused directly on skin.
• Not for daily facial cleansing → can strip natural oils.
• Store in a dry, airtight container (it clumps easily with moisture).

🔹 Cosmetic Grade vs. Other Grades

• Cosmetic Grade → safe for skin-contact products (scrubs, deodorants, toothpaste, bath bombs).
• Food Grade → safe for ingestion, also usable in DIY beauty.
• Industrial Grade → not suitable for cosmetics (may contain impurities).