Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline salt used in skincare primarily to adjust and stabilize formulation pH and occasionally as a mild abrasive in cleansing or exfoliating products. It is a functional base ingredient rather than a treatment active.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Skin irritation | Common | Its high alkalinity can disrupt the skin's acid mantle, causing dryness, redness, or stinging, especially with repeated use. |
Dryness and barrier disruption | Common | Raising skin pH can impair the protective barrier and reduce moisture retention. |
Mechanical micro-abrasion | Uncommon | Undissolved granules used as a scrub may cause micro-tears or sensitivity. |
Allergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Hypersensitivity reactions are infrequently reported. |
Worsening of acne or sensitive-skin conditions | Uncommon | pH disturbance may aggravate conditions like rosacea or acne in predisposed individuals. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.