“Toothpaste ingredients like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) can all be drying and irritating to the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D. “These formulations are meant to clean the tough surfaces of our teeth, not to be left on the relatively delicate facial skin.” That’s why derms shudder on the thought of utilizing toothpaste as a spot remedy—regardless of the long-standing rumor that toothpaste can “dry out” a pimple, it could truly result in contact dermatitis and make issues worse (assume: itchy, blotchy, flaky pores and skin).
So, says King, when you discover irritated, dry, or purple areas quickly after brushing your tooth, it could be an indication that your pores and skin will not be a fan of your toothpaste. Additionally: “Fluorinated toothpastes have been identified as a possible trigger for perioral dermatitis,” she says, which leads to tiny bumps across the mouth space—these are simple to mistake for breakouts, however when you discover a flare shortly after introducing a brand new toothpaste, your fluoride-laced product could be in charge.