Ive heard many places that toothpaste helps fight acne, and have read many great reviews over the net, but I was wondering what the chemical is that helps, hoping to possibly waver some of the negative effects of using toothpaste (i.e stinging from the mentol, and dryness)

Toothpaste doesn't really "fight" acne, it just sucks all of the oil out and dries it up. Toothpaste just irritates my skin though, I'd suggest something more pracitcal, like actual pimple cream. :)

Most toothpaste is a mix of bicarbonate of soda and hydrogen peroxide plus whiteners and brighteners and a chemical smörgåsbord found only in the booster rocket fuels of the Titan and Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile series, which of course, is why a great smile will just send you!

Okay, I answered so your turn to do your part and Rate This Answer!

Okay, let me hark back to my days as a Biologist... Hark! Hark! Through the Window of Time and Misty Memory the answer grows...
Them bacteria like certain environments to grow in/on. So iffen you want to kill them critters you change the environment to something very hostile to them.
Baking soda is a strong base and bases will denature fats, which most bacteria have on their outside membranes. Using straight baking soda on your face will give your skin kind of a slick feeling - it's the exfoliant action of the crystals themselves with the defatting action of the base.
Hydrogen Peroxide - well, in pure form was used as one part of the Nazi Meteor rocket plane, the other part being alcohol. So Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer and will liberate oxygen radicals (ozone, I believe) that join with and denature the outer membranes of bacteria.
So either or both the baking soda or the hydrogen peroxide are bacteriocides and both will fight acne.

Okey dokey, I answered your question so its your turn to do your part and Rate This Answer!

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Originally Posted by cpalmist

Okay, let me hark back to my days as a Biologist...Hark! Hark! Through the Window of Time and Misty Memory the answer grows....
Them bacteria like certain environments to grow in/on. So iffen you want to kill them critters you change the environment to something very hostile to them.
Baking soda is a strong base and bases will denature fats, which most bacteria have on their outside membranes. Using straight baking soda on your face will give your skin kind of a slick feeling - its the exfoliant action of the crystals themselves with the defatting action of the base.
Hydrogen Peroxide - well, in pure form was used as one part of the Nazi Meteor rocket plane, the other part being alcohol. So Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer and will liberate oxygen radicals (ozone, I believe) that join with and denature the outer membranes of bacteria.
So either or both the baking soda or the hydrogen peroxide are bacteriocides and both will fight acne.

Okey dokey, I answered your question so its your turn to do your part and Rate This Answer!

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"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to cpalmist again."

Grr... well... I must say I am impressed. Thanks!

Silica.

Does Toothpaste Really Get Rid of Acne? - Associated Content

OR

Sodium pyrophosphate.

Does Toothpaste Treat Acne?