Viral internet hacks love combining household items like toothpaste and Vaseline, claiming miraculous results for everything from clearing acne and removing blackheads to anti-aging or DIY cosmetics.
While it might seem like a clever multi-purpose trick, dermatologists and skin experts advise caution with this specific mixture:
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Toothpaste is formulated for teeth, not skin: It often contains heavy detergents, baking soda, alcohol, and mint flavorings meant for dental enamel. When applied to the facial skin—especially under an occlusive barrier like Vaseline—these ingredients can easily cause dryness, redness, chemical irritation, or contact dermatitis.
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Vaseline traps everything: Petroleum jelly is an excellent occlusive barrier that seals moisture in, but it also seals everything else in. Trapping the harsh ingredients of toothpaste against your skin can intensify irritation rather than heal it.
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The “effective” illusion: If someone uses it for spot-treating a blemish and notices the pimple looks smaller, it is usually because the toothpaste severely dried out or chemically burned the surface layer of the skin, rather than safely curing the breakout.
Vaseline on its own is fantastic for sealing moisture into dry lips, heels, or rough patches, and toothpaste does a wonderful job cleaning teeth—but keeping them separate and using products specifically designed for skincare is much safer for your skin barrier.
