Last Updated on August 24, 2021 by Team THIP
Quick Take
A number of social media users claim that toothpaste can help improve your skin complexion. Rubbing toothpaste on your face will whiten the skin, they claim. We fact-checked and found that the claim is false.
The Claim
The claims about using toothpaste on the face to whiten and brighten the complexion can be seen here, and here. A snapshot is also given below.
Fact Check
What are the contents of a toothpaste? Are they skin friendly?
Most toothpaste has similar ingredients – Water (20–40%) Abrasives (50%) including aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydrogen phosphates, calcium carbonate, silica, and hydroxyapatite.
Most experts say they are not skin-friendly products and cause severe damage to your skin.
Dr.Joyeeta Chowdhury, MD (Dermatology) says, “Toothpaste contain non-ionic detergent SLS/polyethylene glycol. triclosan/copolymer. These substances should never be put on skin especially facial skin for a long time.”
Can toothpaste help in whitening skin?
No. Toothpaste cannot whiten the skin. There is no scientific evidence backing the claim. Experts also refute the claim.
Dr. Iram Qazi, MD (Dermatology) says, “Toothpaste may contain ingredients that may whiten teeth but not skin. Applying toothpaste can cause skin irritation, burning, and redness as its ingredients are too strong for the skin. I will not advise using toothpaste for any skin-related problems.”
Dr. Neha Khurana, MD (Dermatology) agrees, She says, “I do not recommend such a do-it-yourself type of skin treatment. One needs to understand that our skin’s pH is on the acidic end, thus using an agent with a basic pH can alter skin’s pH balance affecting skin’s moisture barrier, causing irritation, dryness, and peeling to skin. Moreover, toothpaste can also cause allergic contact dermatitis.”
Dr. Jyoti Agarkar, MD (Dermatology) sums it up nicely, “God has given us a very beautiful body and skin and we should cherish it instead of trying to change its color. I always prescribe my patients a healthy diet, regular exercise, enough sleep, a good amount of water consumption. This helps in bringing out a natural glow that cannot be matched by any artificially induced whitening products. Also, when you are choosing any skincare products, choose according to your skin type.”
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