Weird but True: Toothpaste Could Be Behind Those Rogue Zits

Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commissionThese days, it’s nearly impossible to step into a New York City subway car without seeing 15 different advertisements for products promising to change your skin. And while the branding might be different in every case, they’ve all got one thing in common: they’re selling retinoids.Experts in This ArticleDavid Lortscherboard-certified dermatologist and founder of CurologyadvertisementRetinoids are the umbrella term for vitamin A derivatives that promise to speed up cell turnover, increase collagen production, and when used diligently bring an all-over glow to skin by squelching acne, obliterating dark spots, and making fine lines yesterday’s problem. You can get them over the counter in the form of retinols, which vary in strength and potency depending on the one that you slather. However, stronger, more potent formulas, like Tretinoin are also available with a prescriptio...