Toothpaste and Acne Breakouts

If you ask most people to pinpoint their favorite characteristic of toothpaste, they will likely reply with the foaming effect it creates when agitated and combined with water. This comforting effecting is induced by a chemical known as sodium lauryl sulfate, or SLS. This substance is a detergent, designed to work particularly well with hard water. Other traditional surfactants such as soap do not function well in hard water, reacting with minerals such as Calcium to form soap scum. SLS is used in toothpaste as a mere foaming agent. However, it's harsh characteristics are still present in toothpaste despite the fact that its primary function is not necessitated.

It has been consistently confirmed that SLS is a skin irritant. One study that tested its effects on animals found that it induced skin and eye irritation. Some have gone to make the claim that it can interfere with eye development and spur adverse effects in other bodily organs. Hair loss is a commonly reported occurrence due to regular use of SLS-containing products. While the U.S. government has maintained its stance on the safety of SLS, it is considered a pesticide and is suspected of being a carcinogen.

If you have been trying to manage acne breakouts around your mouth with little avail, you should attempt switching to an SLS-free toothpaste. Inspect toothpaste labels carefully as you are shopping for a replacement product. It will take you some time to track an SLS-free product down, however, you should notice a reduction in lesions within close proximity to your mouth.

Most of the toothpastes that line the shelves at your local supermarket contain an additive known as fluoride. Fluoride is used to prevent dental caries and is administered through toothpaste, the public water supply (if you reside in the United States), and if necessary at your dentist's office. This chemical strengthens tooth enamel. Although its efficacy in preventing dental decay is debatable, fluoride is classified as a skin irritant.

This chemical has been tied to the formation of acne-like bumps around the mouth associated with the skin disorder perioral dermatitis. This condition is commonly mistaken for acne, and is treated with the same oral antibiotics prescribed to acne sufferers. It is most responsive to an elimination of fluoride in toothpaste. Those that suffer from perioral dermatitis see marked improvement in their skin when they switch to a non-fluorinated toothpaste.

Toothpastes have become complex substances that substantially differ from what was once used. You can now find toothpastes that offer teeth whitening, tartar control, stain protection...the list goes on and on. All the chemical additives used to offer such results can be irritating to the skin. A bit of research may reveal that they do far more bodily harm than one would expect. For our purposes here, we strongly recommend a simple toothpaste that doesn't have all the bells-and-whistles which we've come to demand.