If you're scrolling through skincare reels looking for hacks, you probably wouldn't expect "spit" to be one of them. But trust Tamannaah Bhatia to throw in a beauty curveball. The actor, known for her healthy and glowing skin, recently left everyone stunned with a pimple-fixing hack that involves none other than your saliva.
Tamannaah's unexpected acne remedy
In a recent interview with Lallantop, when asked how she deals with breakouts, Tamannaah casually replied, "Spit, thook," leaving everyone around visibly cringing. Noticing the silence, she doubled down, "It works!"
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Tamannaah has backed this unusual home remedy. In a 2021 interview with Pinkvilla, she said, “This probably comes under your question ‘what is the weirdest thing you’ve put on your face’ but the fact remains your own saliva, the one which is in the morning, actually has the ability to dry out your... It sounds a bit gross, but it actually does work.” She had also added that while it may help some, persistent acne should be treated by professionals.
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So, could spit actually zap your zits? Let's see what science and dermatologists have to say.
Can saliva really heal acne?
Scientifically, the claim doesn’t hold much weight. There's very limited research suggesting any real benefit to using saliva for acne treatment.
A 2017 study involving moderate-to-severe acne patients and healthy controls found that saliva could be a non-invasive feature to monitor inflammation, but that doesn’t mean it treats acne directly.
Another in vitro study by the University of Amsterdam observed that saliva can aid wound healing thanks to histatins, peptides that help kill bacteria. Since acne is an inflammatory condition often caused by bacteria, there's some basis to why it might help in theory, but that's a big might.
What dermatologists say
Medical experts are far more sceptical and concerned about this remedy.
AIIMS dermatologist Dr Gargi Taneja addressed this exact topic in a video posted in December 2024. She warned, "This is a common misconception... It should not be done because it can result in lots of side effects compared to benefits."
She explained that due to poor oral hygiene and other factors, "the pH of saliva is often acidic. Applying this on acne-prone skin can damage the skin barrier, worsen inflammation, or even lead to infections." She further noted that oral bacteria are not harmless and could irritate or infect the skin.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for any concerns or questions regarding your health or medical condition.
