Baking Soda Face Scrub: Yay or Nay for Filipina Skin?

So I stumbled on this viral X video : a creator mixing petroleum jelly, baking soda + honey, scrubbing it on, claiming it “erases dark spots” and “gives glass skin.” It looked so easy. As a mom who’s perpetually sleep-deprived with melasma from our Davao sun, I was tempted.

But my mom gut said wait. I’ve learned the hard way that what works in a 15-second clip doesn’t always work IRL — especially on 40+, morena, humid-weather skin. So I asked: Is there a dermatologist test about this?

What Dermatologists Actually Say: The Science

I dug in, and the derm verdict is pretty clear: Skip baking soda on your face.

1. It destroys your “acid mantle”

Healthy skin sits at pH 4.5-5.5 — slightly acidic. That acidity is your armor. It keeps moisture in, bacteria out, and prevents irritation.

Baking soda? pH 9 — very alkaline. Using it “throws that balance completely off,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hannah Kopelman.

Result: dryness, flaking, and extra sensitivity.

2. It damages the skin barrier long-term

“Baking soda may dismantle the acidic protective layer of the skin and strip natural lipids,” says Dr. Pooja Sodha, MD. With repeated use, this leads to redness, breakouts, and makes conditions like eczema worse. Basically, you’re sanding off your skin’s shield.

3. It can make dark spots worse on morena skin

We Filipinas are prone to hyperpigmentation. Dr. Olivia notes she’s “actually seen it cause darker discoloration, especially in people with medium or deeper skin tones”. The temporary “brightness” is just oil + dead skin removed, not real pigment change.

4. It’s too abrasive

Under a microscope, baking soda crystals are jagged. Scrubbing causes “microtears” — tiny trauma that leads to moisture loss and premature aging. Not the glow-up we want.

“But What About the TikTok Glow?”

Derm Dr. Andrea Suarez, MD puts it bluntly: “I don’t recommend putting baking soda on your skin. It’s very caustic… and can really aggravate underlying skin problems like acne and atopic dermatitis”.  (source) 

Even if someone can tolerate it, it doesn’t explain the “glass skin.” Wrinkles and glow come down to sun exposure, genetics, and lifestyle — not pantry hacks. (source) 

Dermatologist-Tested Verdict: Nay for Facial Skin

Dermatologists do not recommend baking soda as an acne or exfoliation treatment. Dr. Heather Rogers, MD said: “Do not wash your face with baking soda. Do not use it as a mask on your face”.  

When might baking soda be okay?

Derms say very limited cases: brief, diluted baths for specific conditions, or emergency pH neutralization — under medical guidance. Not as a weekly scrub. (source) 

Safer “Glam Mom” Alternatives for Exfoliation + Brightening

If you want that smooth, bright look without wrecking your barrier:

My GlamourholicMom Take

As moms, we love a good tipid hack. I’ve tried coffee scrubs, calamansi on underarms, you name it. But some things belong in the kitchen, not on our face. Baking soda is amazing for your fridge and tiles — but your acid mantle is not a stain.  

If you’ve already tried it: stop, use a fragrance-free moisturizer to repair, and give your barrier 2-4 weeks to recover. If you get rashes or burning, see a PDS derm in your city, state or town. 

Bottom line for Filipina skin: Nay. Our skin battles sun, humidity, and melasma already. Don’t add alkaline damage to the mix. Save the baking soda for cookies and trust ingredients actually tested for faces.

Have you seen the X baking soda video? Tried it before? Comment below — no judgment, just real mom talk.

GlamourholicMom Disclaimer: For info only. I’m not a dermatologist. Baking soda is not recommended for facial use by derms. Consult a PDS dermatologist and patch test. Use at your own risk.

Sources: Healthline, Medscape, Dr. Pooja Sodha MD, Dr. Andrea Suarez MD, Dr. Heather Rogers MD