What I’ve Been Reading: April 2012

Question of the month: What’s your best beauty tip/secret (aside from: drinking lots of water, wearing sunscreen and taking off your make-up at night)?

My best beauty secret at the moment is….baking soda!

Exfoliation is important for healthy looking skin – but it’s hard to figure out what to use…some favor natural exfoliators (like the infamous St Ives Apricot Scrub) – others claim that large granules can actually damage your skin – and opt for chemical exfoliators (like Lactic acid used in the Philosophy Microdelivery Pads).

Too add to the confusion – there is a danger in over-exfoliating your skin – especially if you are already using a product like the Clarisonic facial brush (as I do).

I was researching Dermalogica’s Daily Microfoliant (rice-based exfoliating powder) when I read that baking soda can be used as a gentle exfoliator (just mix 1 TB into a paste either with some cleansing gel or water) – I thought that this would be the simplest option for me. I use it 1-2 times a week in the shower, before applying a mud mask. My skin feels smooth and soft but not irritated (and believe me – my skin is SO easily irritated, even switching shampoo brands can wreak havoc!).

Most people have baking soda lying round the house – so this is definitely worth a try!

What’s your favourite beauty tip/secret? Please do share – discovering and sharing beauty secrets is what first drew me in to blogging!

13 Comments

  1. Beautygirl24
    April 30, 2012 / 5:33 pm

    Great tip! A lot more cost-effective too 🙂

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 30, 2012 / 5:39 pm

      Oh yes! The Dermalogica powder is $72…baking soda is $3 LOL!!!

  2. Canadian Beauty
    April 30, 2012 / 8:05 pm

    thanks for the tip! I love LUSH ocean salt facial cleanser as a scrub but if I run out and I'm in a pinch, I'll keep baking soda in mind!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      April 30, 2012 / 9:18 pm

      Glad you liked the tip…baking soda has so many good uses (anti-odor, mixed with vinegar for cleaning etc)!

  3. Anonymous
    April 30, 2012 / 11:16 pm

    What a great tip, I hadn't heard of this before! Baking soda is amazing cure-all for pretty much everything, ay?

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      May 1, 2012 / 1:54 am

      I know – it's so useful!

  4. Schnelle
    May 1, 2012 / 12:49 am

    I use the St. Ives scrub but I did try mixing baking soda and water a few weeks ago. It is a great exfoliant but, a great weekly treat.

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      May 1, 2012 / 1:54 am

      I know a lot of people are very loyal to the St Ives scrub – it's a classic!

  5. Skylette from Sequins&Stilettos
    May 1, 2012 / 4:20 am

    Okay, this month's collabo is like Christmas for me – I'm loving reading all of these awesome beauty secrets! I'm definitely going to try the baking soda for a nice break from the St. Ives scrub!

    • Ella Pretty Blog
      May 1, 2012 / 2:19 pm

      I know – I love finding out new things – it makes me annoyed when they ask a celeb for their beauty tips and they say the cliched "never sleep in your make-up…drink water and wear sunscreen" soundbite…While those are good tips – they're hardly secrets – I love finding out the good stuff LOL!

  6. Lilly
    May 2, 2012 / 12:39 am

    I always try to find good exfoliating products. I've used baking soda before to remove my uneven tan (just on my hands). Great to hear about it's exfoliating feature. But I think I over did it on my hands…so next time I'll have to go easy on it 🙂

  7. Elaine A (TOBeautyReviews)
    May 2, 2012 / 6:06 pm

    OOh baking soda is a great tip! You can use it as kind of a mask too – it's supposed to help calm inflammed skin. Have you ever tried oatmeal? It's a great exfoliator and softens skin too! I've also read it's good and lightening up sun spots.

  8. Ioana-Carmen
    May 4, 2012 / 5:25 am

    Chic baby! would you like to follow each other blog? :XFashionSpot.ro

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