...
Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images

Utilized throughout history, baking soda is a 100 percent natural product composed of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda is typically thought of as a product used in cooking and cleaning applications; however, this product has many other uses, including treating dry and irritated skin. You can use skin-softening baking soda to create your own inexpensive spa-like treatments, such as body and facial scrubs.

Uses

Baking soda works to soften the skin by repairing damage due to drying elements like wind, low humidity, cold temperatures and washing with soaps that do not contain moisturizers. The ability of baking soda to soften the skin also provides relief from itchy, burning skin in the event of acne, rashes, sunburn, razor burn and eczema. Although baking soda will not cure these conditions, it will provide relief.

Facial Scrub

Make your very own skin softening facial scrub using baking soda. You can use this scrub in the shower up to three times a week after washing your face with your normal facial cleanser. Create a baking soda facial scrub in a small bowl using 3 parts baking soda and 1 part warm water. You can mix a teaspoon of baking soda into your face wash prior to use. Gently massage this homemade scrub onto your face in a circular motion. This scrub will exfoliate, removing dead skin cells and leaving behind soft, radiant skin. Baking soda facial scrubs are not only effective for softening the skin, but also effective for preventing blemish breakouts.

Body Scrub

The same facial scrub that you make with baking soda can be used as a body scrub. Three parts baking soda and 1 part water will create a thick paste that you can massage over other parts of your body to exfoliate and soften the skin. Just like a salt scrub, baking soda is effective for buffing away rough patches on your elbows, knees and feet. You can also stir a few tablespoons of baking soda into your everyday body wash for a cleansing, exfoliating mixture that will leave silky smooth skin behind.

Skin Treatment

There may be times when you are looking to not only soften, but soothe irritated skin. In this case, you can make a homemade skin treatment using baking soda. In a blender, mix 1 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup of baking soda, one cup of warm water and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Blend into a smooth paste. Soak in the shower to open the pores and then turn the water off. Rub this skin treatment over your skin and allow it to remain on the skin for two minutes. This treatment will soothe and smooth dry skin during the winter.