Does Toothpaste Really Get Rid of Acne?

If there was one thing that was the biggest inconvenience of anyone's teenage years, it would be acne. Acne is the menace of adolescence and there is not one teenager, past or present who did not wish that there was a miracle cure. There are all sorts of home made remedies out there for acne that range from egg whites to one of the most popular, toothpaste. But does toothpaste really treat acne?

As most people already know one of the culprits of acne is improper shedding of the skin which leads to the blockage of pores. So therefore exfoliation is often recommended. However, if you look at the toothpaste ingredient list, you'll find sodium pyrophosphate. The job of sodium pyrophosphate within toothpaste is to remove calcium and magnesium from the saliva. Too much calcium on the skin can prohibit the skin from shedding like it should because it will increase cell growth. Use of sodium pyrophosphate can help eliminate calcium that may build up on the skin (2). Besides finding sodium pyrophosphate in toothpaste, you'll also find silica. Silica is a naturally occurring chemical that has a wide variety of uses from glass-making to skin care treatments. When used on the skin the result can be less inflammation and silica can help the skin cells rebuild themselves after damage. Silica is often used in commercial acne treatments and by dermatologists.

As you know some toothpaste varieties will contain baking soda. Baking soda can help to absorb excess oil that maybe lying on the skin's surface. You may also find astringents in your toothpaste. These ingredients serve to help dry the skin the out much like astringents found in skin treatment products. Astringents found within toothpaste will vary however depending on the manufacturer and the flavor/variety of toothpaste selected.