Arrowroot powder may be harmless as a food additive, but what about when it’s applied to the skin?
Natural products are seeing more and more popularity, so we should all be asking these kinds of questions. Is arrowroot powder safe for skin?
Is Arrowroot Powder Safe for Skin?
Arrowroot is a starch derived from the roots of the tropical plant of the same name.
It is sometimes used in beauty products, most commonly as a thickening agent, because it absorbs water quickly and creates a smooth consistency.
However, it also has its own properties that benefit skincare. The root contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents that can soothe sensitive skin.
In addition to being safe for the skin, arrowroot powder is an ingredient that can improve the quality of your complexion.
By absorbing excess oils and sebum, arrowroot powder helps keep skin clear and healthy.
It also works as a gentle exfoliating agent, helping to remove dirt and dead cells from your pores without being abrasive.
Arrowroot powder can be found in cleansers and moisturizers, but it can also be applied directly to the face as a facial mask or treatment for acne.
To use as a facial mask, you can mix one part arrowroot powder with one part kaolin clay or another type of clay to create a facial cleansing paste.
You can then apply it directly to your face or body to cleanse the skin gently while removing oil and dirt from pores.
How to Use Arrowroot Powder Safely
Arrowroot powder is used in many different types of skincare products.
While it is safe to use, some precautions are necessary because they can irritate your skin if used incorrectly.
Here are some tips on how to use arrowroot powder safely:
1. Use a small amount at first
If you are new to skincare products made with arrowroot powder, you should only use a small amount at first, especially if your skin is sensitive or irritated easily.
It may cause irritation if you apply too much at once, so start slowly and gradually increase the amount if needed.
You can also do a patch test on your arm before applying the product to your face or body to make sure that it won’t cause any irritation or rashes.
2. Consider your skin type
Everybody’s skin is different, so if you have sensitive skin, do a patch test on your inner arm before applying an arrowroot-based powder to your face.
3. Use only organic and pure arrowroot powder
Make sure the arrowroot powder you are using is 100% pure, organic, and food-grade; otherwise it might be contaminated with heavy metals and other chemicals.
4. Limit usage if you have sensitive skin or allergies
If you have sensitive skin or allergies, limit the usage of arrowroot powder to once a day or every other day.
5. Avoid arrowroot powder if you have broken skin or wounds
If you have broken skin or wounds, avoid using arrowroot powder as it may further irritate your skin and increase inflammation.
6. Stay away from arrowroot powder if you have acne-prone skin
Arrowroot has a clogging effect on people with acne-prone skin as it tends to block pores and promote breakouts, so avoid using it if you have acne-prone skin.
Will Arrowroot Powder Clog My Pores?
No, pure arrowroot powder will not clog your pores. It is a natural, light mineral powder that is great for all skin types.
It can be used to set makeup and reduce shine without creating a heavy, cakey look.
You can also use it as an ingredient in homemade skin care recipes.
Arrowroot powder can be used as a lightweight face powder, as well as an ingredient in homemade beauty products.
If you have oily skin or large pores, you may want to avoid certain face powders that contain talc, which can clog pores and cause acne or breakouts.
Other ingredients such as cornstarch can also clog pores and should be avoided if you have oily skin.
Pure arrowroot powder is non-comedogenic and won’t clog your pores!
How Much Arrowroot Powder Should I Be Using in My Skin Care Routine?
The short answer is that there isn’t a set amount of arrowroot powder to use.
It depends on the recipe and the desired texture of the final product.
For example, if you are making a face mask and want it to be very thick and heavy, you may want to add more arrowroot powder than if you’re making a light exfoliating scrub.
This is because arrowroot powder absorbs moisture, so adding more will result in a drier, thicker end product.
Most recipes for masks, deodorants, toothpaste, and other skincare products call for 2-3 tablespoons of arrowroot powder per cup of liquid or other ingredients.
You can start with this amount and experiment from there.
How To Incorporate Arrowroot Into Your Bathing Routine?
Here are some ways you can use arrowroot powder in your skincare routine:
1. As a dry shampoo.
Just sprinkle some on your roots and work it through with your fingers.
Let it sit for a few minutes until the powder has absorbed the oil, and then brush it out.
You will be left with fresh, clean hair that is full of volume.
2. Treat diaper rash and sunburns
Just mix a tablespoon of arrowroot powder with a few drops of water or milk to make a paste, and apply to the affected area.
Let it dry and then wash off with lukewarm water.
3. Liquid foundation
Make your own liquid foundation using zinc oxide powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey and arrowroot powder (for adjusting the consistency).
Mix all the ingredients together until you get a smooth texture.
4. Make a natural deodorant
Deodorants can be expensive, especially if you like using long-lasting ones in the summer. If you want to save money and reduce your exposure to the chemicals in many commercial deodorants, try making your own at home. You can incorporate arrowroot powder into your homemade deodorant recipe to give it an extra boost of sweat-absorbing power.
5. Use it as a face primer
You can use arrowroot powder as a natural face primer, which will help keep your skin looking smooth and even underneath makeup.
It’s also useful for absorbing excess oil from your skin and reducing the appearance of large pores.
You can mix it with a small amount of water to create a paste that you can apply to your skin before putting on foundation or concealer.
6. Make your own bath bombs
If you’re trying to avoid artificial fragrances and other chemicals, making homemade bath bombs is a great way to relax in the tub while still keeping your skincare routine all-natural.
Arrowroot powder is one of the main ingredients in most DIY bath bomb recipes since it helps create a fizzy reaction when mixed with citric acid and water.
Benefits of Arrowroot Powder for Your Skin
Arrowroot Powder has a long list of benefits:
1. Absorbs moisture from the air
When the air is humid, your skin may become oily and sweaty, and you may feel sticky or uncomfortable.
Arrowroot powder absorbs moisture from the air.
This allows your skin to remain dry and sweat-free even when it’s hot outside or you’re working out.
You can use arrowroot powder instead of baby powder to keep yourself feeling fresh on warm days.
2. Absorbs oil on the skin
If you have very oily skin or acne, arrowroot powder can help absorb excess oil on your face and body so that your pores don’t get clogged up with dirt and sweat.
You can use arrowroot powder as a facial mask to absorb oil if you have a very greasy T-zone or other problem areas on your face where pores are more likely to get clogged up with dirt and oil.
3. Gentle cleansing agent
Arrowroot powder can be used in homemade soaps, cleansers, and face masks.
Its cleansing properties help remove dirt, impurities, and excess oil from the skin without stripping away natural oils that keep it moisturized.
4. Exfoliates skin
The granular nature of arrowroot powder acts as a natural exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and reveal new skin underneath.
Its oil-absorbing properties work well with oily or acne-prone skin types.
To exfoliate your skin with arrowroot powder, mix 1 teaspoon each of arrowroot powder and baking soda in a small bowl and add enough water to form a thick paste.
Gently massage this scrub on your face and body before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.
5. Treat sunburns
The anti-inflammatory properties of arrowroot powder make it useful for treating sunburns and other minor burns.
Using a cotton ball dipped in arrowroot powder or mixing it with aloe vera gel can help soothe pain and reduce inflammation when applied to irritated skin.
6. Soothe irritated skin
Arrowroot powder works wonders when applied directly on bug bites or rashes caused by poison ivy or poison oak.
Mix a small amount of arrowroot powder with coconut oil to make a paste and rub onto irritated skin to help soothe redness and itching. Use as needed until irritation subsides.
Final Thoughts
It seems that arrowroot powder is the new darling in the natural beauty world.
It’s useful for thickening homemade skincare recipes, and it’s been touted as a great alternative to cornstarch.
