Can Baking Soda Benefit Your Hair Health?

Using baking soda on hair is becoming an increasingly popular trend, especially among people concerned with scalp issues like dandruff, excess oil, or product buildup.

People who subscribe to the "no poo" method believe you don't need shampoos with synthetic ingredients to clean hair. They believe these chemicals contaminate groundwater and that "unnatural" ingredients in shampoo are unnecessary and damaging to hair.

What Is Baking Soda?

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a salt composed of a sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion. It appears as a white powder, and it's naturally alkaline. Historians say this compound appeared 4 million years ago when salt lakes evaporated and formed deposits of trona—a rock that can be processed into baking soda. The world's largest accumulation of trona is in Wyoming, in a reserve producing millions of tons of baking soda for export.

Baking soda is primarily used as a leavening agent in baked goods. It is activated when combined with a liquid and an acidic ingredient. Baking soda is also used in dental health, for calming an upset stomach or reducing acid reflux, and to clean some surfaces in the home or to keep areas smelling fresh. 

Benefits of Baking Soda for Hair

Very limited research shows baking soda can help treat dandruff, absorb oil, and restore shine to your hair. There is also anecdotal evidence that it may have a few benefits for hair and scalp health.

Lightens Color-Treated Hair

Research indicates that baking soda can strip hair of color, which is particularly useful for people who are unhappy with their hair color. Baking soda has abrasive properties, and manufacturers have noted that it's an inexpensive way to fade color-treated hair.

May Act Like a Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo has become a popular way to refresh hair and absorb oil, but commercial dry shampoos can sometimes contain synthetic ingredients. Due to its drying properties, people sometimes use baking soda as a dry shampoo alternative to absorb oil and refresh their hair.

Removes Oil and Buildup

The most popular haircare use for baking soda is to remove oil and buildup. Baking soda can dry out your skin and scalp, so use it in moderation. Before using baking soda on your scalp, perform a patch test to ensure you don't react to it.

Acts as an Exfoliant

Baking soda has a crystalline consistency, giving it a naturally abrasive quality. Because of this, baking soda may be useful as an exfoliant for the scalp to help slough off dead skin cells. It may even tame an inflamed or itchy scalp, given its similar use for poison ivy, bug bites, and insect stings. The high pH (natural alkalinity) of baking soda can also clarify the scalp and hair without a lather or suds.

May Restore pH Balance

Baking soda is an alkaline substance (i.e., high pH), while your scalp is slightly acidic, and your hair shaft is acidic. If the pH of your scalp gets disrupted, baking soda could help restore pH due to its alkalinity. That said, there is no actual research to support this theory.

How To Use Baking Soda on Hair

There are several ways to use baking soda for your hair. Depending on your goals, you can either use baking soda alone or with shampoo.

Baking Soda Only

To wash away excess oil and product buildup, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with water until the gritty texture disappears. Massage the mixture into your scalp very gently, keeping in mind that it will not lather up. Too much scrubbing could dry your skin or strip your hair.

Once finished, rinse your hair as usual in the shower. If you have oily hair, there is no need for a conditioner. Your hair may produce enough oil so that extra moisture is not needed. If you have dry hair, you may want to use a little apple cider vinegar in your hair after rinsing out the baking soda and rinse again. Some believe apple cider vinegar will leave your hair moisturized.

You can also consider adding an essential oil to your mixture. Some oils help soothe a dry, itchy scalp and add moisture and shine.

Here are some oils to consider:

• Almond oil
• Argan oil
• Avocado oil
• Coconut oil
• Jojoba oil
• Olive oil
• Shea butter

Baking Soda and Shampoo

If you prefer having a lather when washing your hair, you may want to mix baking soda with shampoo. According to the baking soda manufacturer Arm & Hammer, you can mix 1 tablespoon each of baking soda and shampoo, then apply it to your scalp and lather it up. Once you are finished gently massaging your scalp, rinse in the shower as normal.

The company also notes that you should not use the mixture on color-treated hair because it will remove some of the hair dye and lighten the hair considerably.

Potential Risks

Using baking soda on your hair is not without risks, especially if used frequently. It can dry out your hair, and its crystalline texture can damage your hair strands. Baking soda is often used to scrub stubborn stains, so using it on your hair may cause split ends and breakage.

Baking soda has a high pH, while your scalp and hair shaft each have a low pH. Research has shown that products with a high pH level, like baking soda, can:

• Remove color from color-treated hair
• Strip hair of natural oils
• Leave hair looking dull and lifeless
• Reduce hair's volume
• Irritate a dry scalp or increase itchiness
• Damage the hair cuticles
• Cause more frizz or unmanageable hair

You should not use baking soda regularly, especially if you have dry hair. While it's okay to occasionally use baking soda to cleanse your hair or remove excess oil or product buildup, you should talk to a dermatologist to be sure.

Other Products To Try

If you don't want to try baking soda on your hair, other products and habits can address common hair health issues like dandruff, dry scalp, and product buildup. Consider these tips:

• Use a clarifying shampoo: These shampoos are designed to remove product buildup and oil from hair. Like baking soda, they should not be used long-term because they can strip hair or cause damage if used too often.
• Try a dandruff shampoo: The American Academy of Dermatologists (AAD) recommends treating dandruff with dandruff shampoo. If that doesn't resolve the issue, alternate shampoos with different active ingredients like zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, and coal tar shampoo.
• Apply tea tree oil to the scalp: Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties and may be an effective treatment for dandruff. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil, apply to your scalp, then rinse it out after 15-30 minutes. You can also add it to your shampoo or purchase a tea tree oil shampoo.
• Add coconut oil to your hair: Research has found that adding coconut oil to your scalp may prevent your hair from breaking. It also can nourish your hair and help boost shine.
• Experiment with a scalp massage tool: Scalp massage tools can help remove product buildup and dead skin cells. Some research also suggests scalp massages may stimulate blood flow and boost hair growth, though more research is needed.
• Apply sunscreen or wear a hat: Some dandruff shampoos, such as those with coal tar, can make your scalp more sensitive to the sun's UV rays. The AAD advises protecting your scalp by using broad-spectrum sunscreen or wearing a hat while in the sun.

A Quick Review

Baking soda, officially known as sodium bicarbonate, is a naturally alkaline white powder. Some people use baking soda for hair care, from exfoliating their scalp to cleansing dirt, oil, and product buildup.

Using baking soda on your scalp and hair can strip your hair, irritate your scalp, and lead to frizz. Do a path test and talk to a healthcare provider if you're considering using baking soda on your scalp.