Fact Check: Can a mixture of toothpaste, lemon juice, and ENO eliminate open pores in just one application?

An Instagram reel claims that applying a mixture of toothpaste, lemon juice, and eno to the skin can eliminate open pores in just one application. The claim by the user is FALSE.

Claim

In an Instagram reel, it is claimed that applying a mixture of toothpaste, lemon juice, and baking soda to the skin can eliminate open pores in just one application. The user healthglossy in the reel says, "If you also have a lot of open pores, then just try this remedy once. For this, take toothpaste, add lemon juice to it, and then add eno. Mix it well and apply it to the areas with open pores. By applying it just once, your open pores will disappear. Make sure to try this once."

The user's reel, which has garnered 7.6 million views, 49,976 likes, 156 comments, and 113k shares, can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim by the Instagram user is FALSE. This claim is not supported by scientific evidence. Furthermore, the ingredients mentioned in the claim can irritate or damage the skin.

What are Open Pores?

Open pores are enlarged openings of hair follicles visible on the skin's surface, commonly found on the face, particularly on the nose, cheeks, and forehead. They can result from factors such as genetics, excessive sebum production, aging, sun damage, or improper skincare practices. These pores often give the skin a rough or uneven texture and are more noticeable in oily skin types. Managing open pores involves regular cleansing, exfoliation with chemical agents like AHAs or BHAs, maintaining hydration with non-comedogenic moisturizers, and protecting the skin with sunscreen. Advanced treatments like retinoids, chemical peels, or laser therapy may also help reduce their appearance, with dermatologist consultation recommended for personalized care.

Can Open Pores Be Closed?

Open pores, which are enlarged openings of the pilosebaceous follicles, cannot be entirely "closed" but their appearance can be significantly minimized. Factors such as age, gender, genetics, UV exposure, ethnicity, and sebum production influence pore size. Effective treatments include oral and topical medications, chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid, and retinoids, as well as professional interventions like laser therapies targeting various wavelengths.

What is Toothpaste?

Toothpaste is a dental care product designed to clean teeth, promote oral hygiene, and prevent dental issues like cavities and gum disease. It typically contains water (20–40%) for consistency and abrasives (50%) such as silica, calcium carbonate, and aluminum hydroxide to aid in removing plaque and stains. Fluoride, often at 1450 ppm, is a key ingredient, available as sodium fluoride or sodium mono fluorophosphate, to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. Other components include sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a detergent, antibacterial agents like triclosan or zinc chloride, and flavorants such as spearmint or peppermint. Some toothpastes also include remineralizers like hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, humectants such as glycerol and xylitol to retain moisture, and anti-sensitivity agents like potassium nitrate or strontium chloride. Anticalculus agents like zinc citrate or sodium polyphosphate help reduce tartar buildup, making toothpaste an essential tool for maintaining oral health.

What are the benefits of Lemon?

Lemon, also known as Citrus limon (L.), is part of the Rutaceae family and originates from South Asia, particularly Northeast India. A lemon without its peel has about 17 calories, while an unpeeled one contains around 22 calories. One tablespoon of lemon juice provides 3 calories, and a quarter cup delivers 31% of the daily recommended vitamin C, 3% of folate, and 2% of potassium. Renowned for its broad applications in cooking, medicine, and nutrition, lemon and its components—such as juice, leaf oil, citric acid, and alkaloids—may help with conditions like osteoporosis, insomnia, asthma, nausea, acne, throat infections, and maintaining pH balance.

What is ENO?

ENO is an over-the-counter antacid powder widely used for quick relief from acidity, heartburn, and indigestion. It contains active ingredients such as Svarjiksara (Shudh), baking soda, Nimbukamlam (Shushkam) etc., which work together to neutralize excess stomach acid and provide fast relief. ENO is available in various flavors, with added colors and sodium saccharine, as indicated on the product label, to enhance its taste and appeal. It is typically dissolved in water before consumption, forming a fizzy solution that acts rapidly to alleviate discomfort caused by acid reflux or digestive issues.

Can applying a mixture of toothpaste, lemon juice, and eno to the skin eliminate open pores in just one application?

The claim that applying a mixture of toothpaste, lemon juice, and eno can eliminate open pores in one application is false. Not only is there no scientific backing for this remedy, but the ingredients in this mixture can harm the skin. Open pores are a natural part of the skin and cannot be eliminated.

Lemons are regarded in skincare for their benefits to skin health. A study published in the Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources highlights lemon's potential as a natural antioxidant, demonstrating its effectiveness in protecting the skin from oxidative stress and positioning it as a valuable component in anti-aging skincare. Additionally, lemon-based products are well-known for their positive impact on acne-prone skin, further showcasing their versatility in skin care applications.

Scientific evidence also highlights the risks associated with topical application on the skin. According to an article by Marta Klimek-Szczykutowicz et. al.'s, applying lemon juice to the face can burn the skin and heighten skin sensitivity, thereby increasing the likelihood of sun damage.

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda and a key component of ENO, may offer both advantages and potential drawbacks when applied topically. As reported in the Journal of Integrative Dermatology, baking soda has effectively managed conditions such as psoriasis and microbial infections. However, its use has also been associated with side effects like skin irritation.

Toothpaste, a widely used oral hygiene product, has also been found to cause skin irritation potentially. The study by Anne Skaare et. al. concluded that toothpaste can lead to skin irritation, with the severity of reactions varying based on the type of toothpaste. Skin erythema emerged as the most commonly observed issue in the study.

No scientific evidence supports the use of toothpaste, lemon juice and eno as a remedy for open pores; in fact, their topical application can be harmful.

Dr Shareefa Chause, Dermatologist, Dr Shareefa Skin Care Clinic, Mumbai in a conversation with The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team said, "Home remedies often seem easy to try and also effective. Whereas, in reality, it's quite the opposite. Applying toothpaste, lemon juice, and eno to your skin to eliminate open pores may seem promising to many. People need to understand that ingredients like toothpaste and eno are specially designed for brushing teeth and cooking accordingly. They shouldn’t be applied on the skin especially your face as it is the most sensitive area. Applying lemon juice may not be a good idea as it can irritate your skin Ingredients like lemon juice, toothpaste, and eno are acidic. They can significantly strip out your skin’s natural oil while causing irritation, redness, increased sensitivity, dryness, and even burns in some cases. The harsh and active ingredients in toothpaste can harm your sensitive and delicate facial skin. Instead of this hack, try exfoliating your skin with an exfoliator for better results. It can help remove dead skin and dirt while unclogging your clogged pores. If you want to get rid of open pores then consider consulting a dermatologist instead of relying on hacks and home remedies you see online. Most of these hacks are not even approved by doctors. Your dermatologist may evaluate your conditions and recommend treatment options accordingly."

Dr Amit Vij, MBBS, MD (Dermatology & Venereology), Senior Consultant Dermatologist, PSRI Hospital, New Delhi further said, " If you want to eliminate skin also at all levels, this is best one-time remedy. Home remedies like toothpaste have been used for burns and as soothing agents. Lemon, eno are irritants and can cause redness, inflammation, burns and hyper pigmentation."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that applying a mixture of toothpaste, lemon juice, and eno can eliminate open pores in just one application is False. Scientific evidence and medical consensus do not support this claim and on the contrary, there are side effects that these ingredients can harm the skin.

Hence, the user's claim is FALSE.