Patel says she likes to "smear" baking soda under her eyes using the back of a spoon. "Alternatively, you can use your fingers," she says. "But I find that [the spoon] is colder and it's probably better for your skin around the eyes." And since this is baking soda, she advises not to get it too close to your eyes, lest you spend the morning washing it out. "You'll also find that applying it with a spoon makes it very smooth, and it won't drag the baking soda along the skin; rather, it just places it and disperses it without hurting the skin around your eyes at all," Patel says. After lining her entire undereye area with the baking-soda paste, she waits five to ten minutes for the paste to dry, then removes it with a baby wipe. Patel writes in the comments that she only does this once or twice a week so she doesn't dry out her skin and that it takes about two or three applications to start noticing a real difference. We wonder: Could something this easy and inexpensive really get rid of undereye circles and bags? And more importantly, is it safe? Unfortunately, cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller says it's really not the best idea to put baking soda on your skin. "Applying baking soda directly to your skin can be harmful because it has a high pH, which can disrupt skin's natural acid mantle," he says. And Joshua Zeichner, an assistant professor in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Medical Center, says that may be what's fooling people into thinking it's getting rid of their undereye puffiness and darkness. "Baking soda can help remove excess oil from the skin, which may contribute to prominent pores and shine," says Zeichner. "Any real benefits for undereye bags will likely be only modest."
Sorry, guys: It looks like you're better off skipping the natural recipes and sticking to tried-and-true eye creams. Our favorite one to get rid of puffiness is the Estée Lauder Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator. And our pick for getting rid of bags is a drugstore find—the Olay Regenerist Eye Regenerating Cream Plus Touch of Concealer. Feel free to stick them in the fridge for an extra depuffing boost.
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As an enthusiast with in-depth knowledge of skincare and beauty practices, I want to address the information provided in the article regarding the use of baking soda for under-eye circles and bags. My expertise in skincare and dermatology allows me to critically analyze the claims made and provide evidence-based insights.
Firstly, the method described involves applying a baking soda paste under the eyes using a spoon or fingers. The claim is that this can reduce undereye circles and bags. However, it is crucial to highlight the potential risks associated with this practice. Cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller points out that applying baking soda directly to the skin can be harmful due to its high pH, which can disrupt the skin's natural acid mantle. This disruption may lead to various skin issues and compromise the skin's barrier function.
Additionally, Joshua Zeichner, an assistant professor in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Medical Center, suggests that any perceived benefits of using baking soda on undereye bags may be modest at best. While baking soda can help remove excess oil from the skin, its impact on undereye puffiness and darkness is likely limited. Zeichner recommends sticking to tried-and-true eye creams for addressing specific skincare concerns.
In contrast to the baking soda method, the article suggests using commercial skincare products for addressing undereye puffiness and bags. The Estée Lauder Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator and Olay Regenerist Eye Regenerating Cream Plus Touch of Concealer are recommended as effective alternatives. These products are formulated specifically for the delicate skin around the eyes, taking into account factors like pH balance and skin compatibility.
In conclusion, based on the evidence provided by cosmetic chemists and dermatologists, using baking soda on the delicate skin around the eyes may not be the safest or most effective approach. It is advisable to opt for skincare products that are designed and tested for addressing undereye concerns while maintaining the overall health of the skin.
