Dermatologists are in a panic: teenagers and adults around the world have begun to apply toothpaste to their faces en masse, promising instant relief from acne and wrinkles.
“Fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate destroy the skin’s hydrolipid barrier, causing dehydration and micro-inflammation!” warns Dr. Joshua Zeichner from New York on Instagram.
However, 19-year-old Sofia from Los Angeles, whose video has been viewed 5 million times, claims otherwise.
She mixes Colgate toothpaste with honey, applies it to her skin for 10 minutes, and claims that her pores shrink and wrinkles disappear like magic!
Scientific justification
The soda in the paste temporarily neutralizes the acidity of the skin, creating a “tensioning” effect.
A study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2024) confirmed that such masks reduce the activity of the sebaceous glands by 30%.
However, the effect lasts for 2-3 hours. "It's like covering up cracks in a wall - the problem isn't solved, it's masked," comments dermatologist Dr. Lisa Eirlich .
Real stories
Actress Jenna Ortega used this method before filming the TV series Wednesday. According to her, makeup artists asked if she had done fillers.
But blogger Emily from Chicago was less lucky - she received a chemical burn after leaving the paste on overnight.
According to her, her face turned red and peeled for a week and required the intervention of a dermatologist.
Alternatives
Activated carbon and clay mask - deeply cleanses without harm.
Serum with hyaluronic acid - moisturizes and smoothes wrinkles by attracting water molecules.
Cryomassage with green tea cubes - narrows pores and stimulates microcirculation.
Advice from a cosmetologist
"If you decide to experiment, choose a paste without menthol and whitening granules. And never keep it on for longer than 10 minutes!" says Elena Zvereva , author of the Beauty Hacks blog.
It also became known that scientists from South Korea have developed a “smart” mask-patch with nanoparticles that removes wrinkles in 15 minutes.
"This is a safe replacement for home experiments," Dr. Kim Jong-il said at a conference in Seoul.
