Borax for Skin: Risks, Uses and Safer Alternatives

According to a study, it is found that using borax for skin care can lead to reproductive toxicity. It’s a mineral found in nature and can be harmful to your skin. Still, it is widely used in several skincare products. But, is it safe to use an ingredient that is used in your detergent, and pesticide for your skincare?

Definitely not! In this blog, we’ll talk about what exactly borax is, why it was used in skincare, and whether it deserves a place in your routine today. Additionally, we’ll discuss some natural and chemical borax alternatives that benefit your skin and give better results than borax.

What Is Borax and Why Is It Used

Before we talk about how it affects the body, you should know about what is borax?

Sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate are all names for borax, which is a mineral that occurs naturally. It is frequently found in deposits deep underground or in lake beds that have dried up. Death Valley in California and Turkey are two of the regions where most of the world's supply comes from.

Borax has long been known as a "booster" for laundry detergents. It helps to get rid of difficult stains, smells and makes hard water softer.
In addition to the laundry room, it is also used for:

• Pest control (to kill ants and roaches).
• Making glass and ceramics.
• Making "slime" for children's science projects.
• Preserving food (though banned in many countries, like the US).

Borax finally made its way into the world of skincare since it is alkaline and can kill certain types of bacteria and fungi.

Composition of Borax and How It Works

To understand how borax affects skin, you should look at the chemistry and the composition of borax. It is made up of Sodium, Boron, Oxygen, and Water. The chemical formula for the most common form of borax is Na2B4O7.10H2O.

Borax has a very high pH or alkaline nature. When you mix it with water, it makes a basic solution with a high pH. This alkaline nature is what makes it good at breaking down oils and fats. In skincare products, it can work as an:

1. Emulsifier: It prevents creams from separating by mixing oil and water.
2. Preservative: It prevents the growth of molds and bacteria in the products due to its antimicrobial properties.
3. Buffer: It helps to maintain the pH level of cosmetic products.

Historical Use of Borax as a Medicine

It's not a new notion to use borax as a medicine. In the late 19th and 20th century, people used borax in home remedies and even by doctors.

1. Oral Health: It was used by the people as a mouthwash to get rid of mouth ulcers or "thrush".
2. Wound Care: Due to its antiseptic properties, it was used to clean wounds to prevent infection.
3. Internal Use: In the past, people sometimes used to take a small amount of borax to treat inflammation or epilepsy, but modern science has shown that this is quite harmful.

History demonstrates the benefits of borax, but modern medicine has mostly stopped using it since we have safer, more effective medicines that don't carry the risk and concerns of toxicity.

How Borax Is Used in Skincare Products

You might be surprised to know that the use of borax in cosmetics is still very common, but only in very small amounts. It does not act as that "active" ingredient that makes your skin better. Instead, it has a functional purpose in the formula.

You can find borax in:

• Cold Creams: It helps make these creams thick and rich in texture.
• Hand Soaps: It works as a mild abrasive to help get rid of thick grease.
• Bath Salts: It makes the water softer and helps the skin feel smooth and slippery.
• Lotions: It acts as a stabilizer to keep the product shelf stable.

When used in professional manufacturing, the amount is carefully managed so that it stays within "safe" limits for use on the skin. But using raw borax powder for DIY home treatments greatly increases the risk.

Known Benefits of Borax for Skin

Why do some people swear by borax for skincare? Borax is still popular in DIY circles since it has certain benefits. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of borax on skin.

• Acne Treatment: Borax has naturally antimicrobial properties. Propionibacterium acnes bacteria are often causative agents for your acne problem, thus using a borax solution could kill it on the skin's surface. 
• Exfoliation: It can act as a physical exfoliator since it comes in a fine powder form. It helps get rid of dead skin cells, which makes your skin smoother temporarily.
• Fungal Problems: Due to its antifungal properties, people use it to treat athlete’s foot or nail fungus with varying levels of effectiveness.
• Oil Control: People with very oily skin will find this appealing that it can help to get rid of excess oil (sebum) due to its alkaline nature.

What Happens When You Apply Borax on Skin

When you put borax on skin, a few things happen at the same time.

First, the high pH of borax breaks down the "acid mantle" of your skin. Your skin is naturally a little acidic, which helps retain the barrier that keeps moisture in. Because borax is so basic, it neutralizes that acidity.

Initially, your skin may feel very soft and "squeaky clean”. This is because the borax dissolves the oils on your skin’s surface. But this "benefit" doesn't last long most of the time. When borax settles on the skin, it can start to pull moisture out of the cells, which can lead to dehydration and tiny breaches in the skin barrier.

Risk and Side Effects of Borax on Skin

Even though people think it’s good for them, there are certain side effects of borax which can be quite severe, especially if you use it for a long time.

• Skin irritation: This is the most common problem. People often complain about redness, itching, and a burning sensation.
• Dermatitis: Repeated use of borax may cause chronic inflammation on your skin.
• Dryness and Peeling: Borax can make your skin flake and crack by stripping all of its natural oils.
• Hormonal Disruption: Ongoing research suggests that borax can interfere with your body’s endocrine system when used repeatedly.

Understanding the Toxicity of Borax

The toxicity of borax is the main reason due to which many health organisations recommend not to use it in DIY beauty. Even though it is a "natural" mineral, but "natural" doesn't always mean "safe". Many other compounds such as Arsenic and lead are also natural, but we don’t put them on your face.

Your body can bear small levels of boron, but borax can be harmful if:

• You eat it, it can lead to nausea, vomiting and even damage your organs.
• If you have a cut, broken skin or an active acne outbreak, the borax can get into your blood and be absorbed more easily.
• Boron can build up in your body; it may cause reproductive toxicity or kidney issues.

Is Borax Safe for Use in Cosmetics

In India, authorities like Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) issued certain guidelines for the use of borax in skincare products. According to these Indian regulatory authorities, borax is not completely banned but its use in cosmetic products is strictly restricted and permitted only within specific limits and product categories. It means that borax can be used only by licensed manufacturers and is permissible in carefully controlled formulations, but it is not approved for direct or DIY skincare use.

The FDA doesn't say that borax can't be used in cosmetics in the US, but they do have strict guidelines on how it can be used and labelled. On the other hand, the laws are much stricter in the European Union. The EU classifies that using borax could be harmful to your reproductive health, and its use is highly restricted in consumer-friendly products.

Similarly, regulatory authorities like European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and Cosmetic Ingredients Review (CIR) Expert Panel have raised concerns about the use of borax in products that come into direct contact with your skin. In many countries, borax is restricted due to safety and reproductive toxicity concerns. As a result, many dermatologists recommend avoiding borax for skincare and choosing ingredients with better-established safety profiles.

Generally, it is considered safe for people’s use, if a skincare product contains a tiny, purified amount of borax as an emulsifier. But it's not safe to make a face mask out of a package of "20 Mule Team" borax from the laundry aisle. This laundry grade version is not safe for your skin and may have contaminants in it.

What Dermatologists Say About Borax

Many dermatologists and toxicologists advise against the use of borax for skincare due to its potential risk of causing skin irritation, sensitisation, and having long-term safety concerns.

It is recommended by medical professionals to avoid the use of ingredients with questionable safety. Instead, you should choose well-studied, skin friendly alternatives. For people with sensitive or compromised skin, it is important to consult with a dermatologist before using any unconventional or DIY skincare ingredients.

Experts say that the pH of your skin is roughly between 4.5 and 5.5, whereas the pH of borax is between 9 and 9.5. This big difference leads to "pH shock." According to Dermatologists, borax might kill bacteria, but it also kills the "good" bacteria that keep your skin healthy. There are a number of cases documented about the patients who have used borax to treat acne, ended up with a chemical burn or a damaged skin barrier that takes months to heal. There are better, more stable, and safer alternative products available in the market.

Safer Alternatives to Borax for Skin care

There are a number of safe and effective alternatives to borax which you can use in your skincare routine. Here are some popular options available:

1. Gentle Cleansing Agents: Use softer surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside, or lauryl glucoside instead of borax in cleansers. These ingredients are safe for your skin and proven effective by removing all the dirt and other impurities.
2. Natural Thickeners: For thickening and emulsifying skin care products, you should consider using natural ingredients like xanthan gum, guar gum, or acacia gum. These ingredients can help keep formulas stable without the risk associated with the borax.
3. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Instead of using borax to exfoliate your skin, try AHAs like glycolic acid or BHAs like salicylic acid. These chemical exfoliants remove your dead skin cells, speed up the cell turnover, and make skin texture better without being as harsh on your skin like borax.
4. Plant-Based Preservatives: Use natural preservatives like honeysuckle extract, radish root ferment, or vitamin E to keep your homemade skin care products fresh. These ingredients can make your skincare products last longer without the hazards that come with using synthetic preservatives.
5. Essential oils: Instead of using synthetic scents, think about using essential oils to enhance fragrance or therapeutic benefits. Choose essential oils that are safe to use on your skin but dilute it before use.
6. Natural Emollients: Instead of borax, use natural emollients like shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, or jojoba oil in lotions and creams. These ingredients keep your skin moist and healthy without causing irritation or inflammation.
7. Natural Antioxidants: Use natural antioxidants like vitamin C (ascorbic acid) or vitamin E (tocopherol) to protect your DIY skincare products from oxidation. These ingredients can help the formulations last longer.
8. Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel is a soothing and hydrating ingredient which you can use as a base in your DIY skincare products such as toners, serums, and moisturizers.

Natural Alternatives

There are several natural ingredients which you can use in your skin care recipes. These parts are often well-tolerated, effective and risk free. Here are some well-known natural alternatives which you can use for your skincare:

1. Cleansing Agents:

• Coconut oil: Great alternative which you can use as makeup remover and gentle cleanser.
• Honey: A natural humectant with antimicrobial properties suitable for gentle cleansing. It is used in several skincare products such as iS Clinical Warming Honey Cleanser and Vilvah Store Honey Fix Face Cleanser as honey is widely praised for its effective cleansing solution.

1. Exfoliants:

• Colloidal oatmeal: Oatmeal is a much gentler choice for smoothing and calming your skin.
• Fruit enzymes: Papaya and pineapple contain natural enzymes and can be used to gently exfoliate your skin.

1. Moisturizers:

• Shea butter: It is a rich emollient option that moisturises your skin deeply. It is used in various moisturising formulations such as  Venusia Max Moisturizer and Biofaith Shea Butter Moisturizer as it supports skin hydration and comfort. 
• Jojoba oil: A great moisturizer since its composition is quite similar to that of natural oil found in your skin.

1. Toners:

• Witch hazel: It is a natural astringent that helps constrict pores and balance the pH of your skin.
• Rose water: It is great for sensitive skin due to its calm and hydrating nature.

1. Antioxidants:

• Green tea extract: It protects your skin from environmental damage because it is high in antioxidants.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): It helps brighten your skin and fight free radicals.

1. Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients:

• Aloe vera gel: It is a great option for calming sensitive skin due to its relaxing and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Chamomile extract: It is known for its ability to relax and reduce redness.

Always do patch tests on new natural ingredients before using them on your skin to be sure they don't cause any problems. Also, be careful while using these natural alternatives and just take the right amount. Mostly, people can handle natural ingredients, but everyone's skin is different, so it's important to find what works best for you. To keep your DIY skincare products manufactured with natural ingredients safe and stable, you need to follow the correct hygiene, storage, and formulation practices. If you have specific skin problems or conditions, consult a dermatologist or skincare specialist about how to use natural products in your skincare routine.

Chemical Alternatives

• Salicylic Acid (BHA): This is the best ingredient to reduce acne and oil. It goes deep into the pores without being toxic like borates.
• Niacinamide: This ingredient helps control oil production and makes the skin barrier stronger at the same time.
• Lactic Acid: This mild AHA ingredient helps get rid of your dead skin cells while keeping the skin hydrated.
• Beeswax or Lecithin: If you like to make things by yourself, these are far safer alternatives to keep your creams together.

Conclusion

In the past, borax has been widely used for its cleaning and emulsifying properties. But, in current time, the dermatological and medical approach does not support its use in skincare. Research suggests that borax can cause skin irritation and sensitization and concerns about the safety of borax repeated exposure. For these reasons, regulatory bodies too advise avoiding borax in cosmetic or personal care products. With safer and well-researched skincare products available today, there is little justification for including borax in your skincare routine. To protect your skin health, it is best to choose products formulated with skin-friendly ingredients.