Borax in skincare...let us help you understand the truth about using borax in skincare products- Scratch Mommy

The Truth About Borax In Skincare

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Borax and skincare can be a controversial (and sometimes confusing) topic. The truth about borax in skincare is certainly something I’ve tried to understand for a long time.

As I began investigating borax, it became clear that many differing opinions exist regarding its safety.

Today I’d like to share my findings with you and explain the conclusion I have reached concerning the use of borax in skincare products. I’d love to know your thoughts about it too. So, please leave a comment and share your opinion below.

Let’s start at the beginning… 

What is Borax?

Borax is a naturally occurring mineral, also known as “sodium borate, sodium tetra borate, or disodium tetra borate”.1 It is not to be confused with boric acid; while borax is a is a salt of boric acid, it is not chemically the same as boric acid.2 Many articles and studies appear to lump boric acid and borax together, which can make researching their impact somewhat difficult. Borax has similar properties to baking soda, but a higher pH level.

How is Borax Used?

Borax is well-known for its use in cleaning products; it is thought to soften water, remove dirt, eliminate odors, and boost laundry.

Besides cleaning products, you’ll find borax in various craft projects and also used as an insecticide to eliminate cockroaches, fleas, and ants.

In the skincare world, Borax is often found in creams, lotions, shampoos, gels, bath salts, and bath bombs. It’s often used to aid in emulsification and preserve products.3

Borax in skincare...let us help you understand the truth about using borax in skincare products- Scratch Mommy
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Concerns About Borax?

Since borax is a naturally occurring mineral and is so useful in producing skincare and cleaning products, it is somewhat puzzling why there is so much fuss about its use.

It’s important to remember that “natural” doesn’t always equal safe, nor does it guarantee we are protected from adverse effects.

Here’s what I’ve discovered about the safety of using borax in skin care products…

Borax may be a skin irritant

As I researched this topic, I noticed many people stating that they had experienced skin irritation from using borax. It’s true that skin irritation can happen from almost anything if it is used in the wrong amount, and also true that each person has their own sensitivities and reactions to specific ingredients. So, this is not the definitive word on borax, but enough people experienced irritation to warrant caution and more investigation.

On page 2 of this material safety data sheet, we find the protocol for skin contact with borax to be the following:

Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Rinse affected area with soap or a mild detergent and plenty of water until no evidence of product remains. 

I find this somewhat disconcerting when considering using borax in my homemade skin care products. This safety sheet applies to undiluted borax, and the same could be said of certain undiluted essential oils, but it’s still something to carefully consider.

An article on the Environmental Working Group website states that, “…the cosmetics industry recommends that no borates be used in products designed for use on damaged skin.”

Paula’s choice ingredients dictionary says, “The pH range of borax is about 9 to 11; therefore, it can be a significant skin sensitizer when used in cosmetics.”

Side Note: The pH of baking soda is just over 8, and a big reason why Scratch Mommy Founder Jess has chosen NOT to use baking soda in her handcrafted skincare products. You won’t find baking soda as an ingredient in the skincare DIYs she creates here on Scratch Mommy, nor in her handcrafted skincare line, Pronounce Skincare. Her deodorant is one of only a few that doesn’t use baking soda, but rather uses a very effective, and safe, secret ingredient. You can see her Pronounce Skincare deodorant line HERE.

When considering all of the personal reports regarding skin irritation as well as the research from the EWG and others, I think we can at least conclude that borax has the potential to cause skin irritation in some individuals. Skin irritation may not be extremely common, but it is also not a rare occurrence. With the risk of skin irritation being reasonable, perhaps an alternative ingredient should be sought.

Borax may disrupt hormones

There are also reports that borax may be a hormone disruptor. Unfortunately, the studies leading to this conclusion involved the direct ingestion of borax by mice, rats and dogs, and the inhalation of borate dust by men working in the mine.4 5 The ingestion and inhalation were both at very high doses.

It is difficult to translate this to use in skincare products.

However, it is true that the skin has the ability to absorb efficiently and effectively, so it does raise the question: If borax can cause hormone disruption through ingestion and inhalation, could it do the same via skin application?

I’m not sure. (But I’d love to know!)

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Final Conclusions…

To speak plainly, coming to any kind of conclusion in regard to borax has been difficult! There are many natural-minded folks who have no qualms about using it in natural cleaning and skincare products.

As I began my study on the risks of using borax in skincare products, I honestly felt most concern over the possibility of hormone disruption.

As someone with a chronic illness, I try to avoid hormone disruption at all costs. It’s scary to think of having an autoimmune flare-up (which could last weeks or months), and terrifying to know the possibly of developing more hormone-related autoimmune diseases (once you’ve got one, it’s easier to get more).

All that to say, I try to protect myself from things that could cause harm. (Not to say that I am trying to live forever. It’s more like trying to have a good quality of life while I’m here.)

But, the jury is somewhat out on the possibility of hormone disruption, since studies have yet to be done on the use of borax in skincare products. (Can someone please get on that?)

It does appear that there is enough evidence in regard to skin irritation that we might consider other possibilities.

As you may have guessed by now, I’m going with the better-safe-than-sorry approach to borax. 

While there may not be enough evidence to definitively say that it is harmful, there is also not enough evidence to say that it is completely safe.

At this point, it’s not a risk I’m willing to take. I chose to err on the side of caution here.

How about you? What are your thoughts on the use of borax in skincare products?

 

Comments 16

  1. I agree, the product is very useful for cleaning but not on the skin unless so diluted that it probablly has no positive effect. I’ll stick with other products when making skin care items.

  2. I get a burning sensation when I get borax on my skin. I would not want to use it in my skincare products. However, from the studies I have seen, I do use it in my laundry soap I make. I feel that it rinses out of the clothes and we don’t have any reaction to it after the laundry is finished. But I do an extra rinse on my laundry though.

  3. If it does cause hormone disruption should we be using it for laundry and cleaning? I was under the impression that the products we use in our clothes and homes also effect us.

  4. I agree. Also, as I’ve been resrarching how best to wash my families & my clothes, most recipes include borax.
    To me, what we wash/dry our clothes with should be just as thought about as products we put on our skin. After all, they both “sit” on our skin enabling product absorption right?
    Anyways, I don’t like the idea. Any suggestions?
    Thanks, Monica

    1. Hi Monica! Really great question. Some people feel fine with borax in laundry detergent, as really it could be though of as a ‘lesser evil’ than typical detergents. Plus, if you run an extra rinse cycle, you are sure to remove the residual cleaner. We have a DIY lavender detergent here on the site. Also, you could look into using soap nuts in the wash. I hope this helps!

  5. I agree with Karen. While I use borax for cleaning, I would err on the side of safety regarding skin care products. And, as someone who already has hormonal imbalances, I’d prefer not to exacerbate the existing problems.

  6. I wanted to make my own face moisturizer lotion. I wanted as few ingredients as possible because I am extremely sensitive. Recipes I found had borax which alarmed me as my only use for it had been in laundering my babies cloth diapers. Granted a long time ago. That alone told me I needed something else. So I researched why the borax was in it any way. Then started looking for something else that would do the same thing. Articles mentioned lecithin . Research said it was indead a natural plant material. I decided to get organic lecithin fro an Amazon supplier. How much to use was a question. I decided to replace the borax one for one. Worked great. No facial breakout! What do you think. Did I make a good choice?

  7. THis is late but new research shows that if you have autoimmune issue stear clear of lecithin. Yes it natural but it reaks havoc on your mitochondrial levels. Just read this info Sept 10, 2017 from an email of Dr. Mercola. I’m sure a google search will take you to it.

  8. Borax on your skin, I don’t think so. I won’t use it at all, not for anything in my home. Not sure as to why this is even being discussed. Its an irritant, A poison. It is an ingredient that is on my do not buy list. Thanks.

  9. As it is illegal to buy where I live, and it has been an issue of worry since the 90s, I would not use it because why should I use so much time on producing my own products to live clean (I have auto immune issues and is chemical sensitive), and then add borax. I preferer to be on the safe side and I am a bit into using products which are proven safe if possible.

    1. Hi there! I honestly haven’t done much research about lecithin over borax. What I do know about lecithin is that sourcing is very important, as many sources can come from GMO soy, which is not good. I found this lecithin on on Amazon, but it says since it is cold-pressed it isn’t a good emulsifier. I’m sorry I can’t help more in this area, as I don’t use emulsifiers or lecithin powder.

  10. I was also confused when my daughter developed a hand rash that still persists from slime because borax is not dangerous. I now believe that it may be skin mite issue (we all have at skin mites at some level.) Most skin mites home remedies call for borax so perhaps the borax in slim disturbs the skin mites and not your skin.

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