u/Honeydew_Admin

We know the temptation. You wake up with an angry pimple, you want it gone by tomorrow, and the toothpaste is right there on the counter. But this is one of the oldest skincare myths on the internet, and our dermatologists want to set the record straight.

Here's what's actually happening when you dab toothpaste on a breakout:

It dries the pimple through irritation, not treatment. The baking soda and calcium carbonate in toothpaste absorb moisture from the blemish, but also from all the healthy skin around it, leaving it dehydrated and flaky. The pimple looks flatter, but your skin barrier just took a hit.

The one ingredient that had any scientific basis was removed years ago. Older toothpastes contained triclosan, an antibacterial agent with some demonstrated activity against acne bacteria. The FDA effectively pushed it out in 2017, and Colgate — the last major holdout — removed it in 2019. Modern toothpaste has no meaningful acne-fighting ingredient.

The pH is completely wrong for your skin. Healthy facial skin sits at a pH of 4.5–5.5. Toothpaste is formulated to be alkaline (pH 7–10). Applying it to your face disrupts your acid mantle and actually creates a better environment for acne bacteria to thrive.

The risks are real. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) — the foaming agent in most toothpastes — is literally used as a standard skin irritant in clinical patch testing. Whitening formulas with hydrogen peroxide can cause chemical burns. And for anyone with a darker skin tone, the inflammation from toothpaste can trigger post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that outlasts the pimple by weeks or months.

What to use instead: A hydrocolloid pimple patch, a 2.5% benzoyl peroxide spot treatment, or a salicylic acid gel. All cost about the same as toothpaste and are actually designed for your skin.

Full breakdown of the science, including a comparison table of spot treatments: 👉 https://www.honeydew.com/blog/does-toothpaste-help-acne

If your breakouts are frequent enough that you're regularly reaching for spot treatments, that's a sign it's worth getting a proper treatment plan. Same-day virtual appointments available: https://www.honeydew.com/conditions/acne

If you've been dealing with hormonal breakouts (think jawline, chin, and cheeks that flare around your cycle or during stressful periods) there are really only a handful of prescription treatments that actually address the root cause. Here's a quick breakdown of what's in the graphic:

Topical options:

• Spironolactone cream blocks androgen receptors in the skin locally, targeting the hormonal driver without systemic effects
• Tretinoin normalizes skin cell turnover, prevents clogged pores, and has anti-inflammatory properties that directly counter hormonal flares

Oral options:

• Spironolactone (oral) is the most commonly prescribed hormonal acne treatment for women; works systemically to reduce the androgen activity driving excess oil production
• Accutane (isotretinoin) is the most powerful option for persistent or cystic hormonal acne; dramatically reduces sebum production at the source

The right combination depends on your acne severity, skin type, and health history — which is why a provider consult matters before starting any of these.

If you're not sure which route makes sense for your skin, our dermatologists offer same-day virtual appointments: https://www.honeydew.com/conditions/acne

Any questions about these treatments? Drop them below, our team checks in regularly.

The sugar-acne question comes up constantly with our patients, especially after holidays, vacations, or stressful stretches when the comfort food creeps in. The science behind it is more specific than most people realize.

Here's what our dermatologists want you to know:

It's about insulin, not just sugar directly. When you eat high-glycemic foods — white bread, soda, candy, sugary cereals — your blood sugar spikes and your body releases a surge of insulin. That insulin then triggers higher levels of IGF-1, a growth hormone that stimulates oil production, clogs pores, and ramps up inflammation. That's the core biological pathway.

Clinical trials back this up. A randomized controlled trial found that participants who switched to a low-glycemic diet had a 23.5% greater reduction in acne lesions over 12 weeks — alongside measurable drops in insulin, IGF-1, and androgen activity.

Hidden sugar sources matter as much as the obvious ones. Fruit juice, flavored yogurt, granola bars, and sweetened coffee drinks can carry as much sugar as a candy bar. A large flavored latte can pack 40–60g of sugar. They don't taste "bad for you," but they spike insulin just as effectively.

Sugar and dairy often work together. Both drive insulin and IGF-1 through overlapping pathways. If your diet is high in both, the combined effect on your skin is likely greater than either alone.

Cutting sugar won't cure acne for most people — but it can meaningfully reduce it. Expect 6 to 12 weeks of consistent lower-glycemic eating before you see clear changes. If dietary shifts aren't enough, that just means your acne has other drivers — hormonal, genetic, bacterial — that need medical treatment too.

We wrote a full breakdown of the science here, including what sugar acne looks like, a glycemic index guide for common foods, and practical low-GI swaps: https://www.honeydew.com/blog/does-sugar-cause-acne

If you're dealing with persistent breakouts and want to talk to one of our providers, we offer same-day virtual appointments: https://www.honeydew.com/conditions/acne

Happy to answer questions in the comments! Our team checks in regularly.

We're Honeydew, a dermatologist-led skincare platform, and one of the questions we hear most often from patients is some version of: "Why does my skin always break out when I'm stressed?"

The short answer: it's not in your head. The long answer involves cortisol, your skin's own local stress response system, and a feedback loop that can feel really hard to escape.

Here are the key things our dermatologists want you to know:

Cortisol drives oil production. When stress hits, your body releases cortisol, which directly stimulates your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. More oil = more clogged pores = more breakouts.

Your skin has its own stress response. Skin cells can produce stress hormones independently — meaning your skin can amplify inflammation on its own, separate from what your adrenal glands are doing.

The timing is tricky. Stress breakouts usually appear days to two weeks after the stressful event, not during it. So the flare showing up now was likely triggered by last week.

Stress acne and hormonal acne aren't that different. Cortisol triggers adrenal androgens, which is why stress breakouts often cluster on the jaw and chin — same pattern as hormonal acne.

The mental health piece matters too. Research shows people with acne have a significantly higher risk of depression. The acne-stress feedback loop is real, and we take it seriously when treating patients.

The most effective approach combines targeted treatment (retinoids, spironolactone, or isotretinoin depending on severity) with real stress management — sleep, exercise, and mindfulness all have solid evidence behind them for lowering cortisol.

We wrote a full breakdown of the science here, including what stress acne looks like, where it shows up, and a full treatment guide: 👉 https://www.honeydew.com/blog/does-stress-cause-acne

If you're dealing with stress-related breakouts and want to talk to one of our providers, we offer same-day virtual appointments: https://www.honeydew.com/conditions/acne

Happy to answer questions in the comments! Our team checks in regularly.

Accutane is one of the most effective acne treatments out there, but it also has one of the strongest (and often scariest) reputations.

A lot of that comes from old narratives, rare side effects, and worst-case stories getting amplified online.

Here’s the more balanced reality:

The “scary side effects” narrative

• Risks like depression, IBD, and birth defects are often the focus
• They are real, but rare and closely monitored in modern treatment

Why it feels riskier than it is

• Negative experiences spread faster than positive ones
• Meanwhile, many people complete treatment successfully and move on

The iPLEDGE factor

• The process can feel intense (monthly check-ins, requirements, etc.)
• But it’s primarily about keeping treatment safe, especially around pregnancy risk

What’s changed

• Accutane is still one of the most effective options for severe or persistent acne
• Newer approaches (like lower-dose protocols) can make treatment more manageable

Accutane isn’t risk-free — but its reputation is often more extreme than the reality, especially when it’s properly prescribed and monitored.

That’s the key part: if you’re considering it, working with a licensed dermatologist who can guide dosing, monitor side effects, and adjust your plan makes a huge difference. That’s exactly the kind of care we focus on at Honeydew.

Let’s separate fact from fiction, this is one of the most misunderstood treatments out there and the only one proven to cure acne once and for all.

👉 Full breakdown: https://www.honeydew.com/blog/breaking-the-accutane-stigma-separating-facts-from-fiction-in-2026

Quick reality check: if you’re dealing with back, chest, or shoulder acne, summer tends to make it worse, not better.

Why?

• Heat + humidity → more oil production
• Sweat + bacteria → clogged pores
• Tight clothes, gym gear, swimsuits → friction + trapped moisture

Basically, summer creates the perfect storm for body breakouts.

• The part most people miss: Body acne doesn’t clear overnight
• Most treatments take weeks to months to really work

So if you want clearer skin by peak summer… this is the window to start.

What actually helps (and is worth starting now):

• Shower after sweating (don’t let sweat sit on your skin)
• Use body washes with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid
• Switch to looser, breathable fabrics
• Keep things simple + consistent

If you’ve tried all the basics and still feel stuck, you’re not alone. Stubborn body acne often needs a more personalized, clinical approach. That's where Honeydew dermatologists can step in and provide relief with prescription acne treatments.

👉 Full guide if you want a deeper breakdown:
https://www.honeydew.com/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-full-body-acne

Whey protein often gets flagged as a potential acne trigger, but the reality is a bit more nuanced.

Here’s what we know:

• Some studies suggest a possible association between whey protein use and acne, particularly in people who are already acne-prone.
• One proposed reason: whey may increase insulin and IGF-1 levels, which can stimulate oil production and contribute to breakouts.
• At the same time, not everyone experiences this — many people tolerate whey protein without any noticeable impact on their skin.

The takeaway? Whey protein isn’t a universal cause of acne, but it can be a trigger for some individuals. Like many aspects of acne, it tends to be highly personal.

For the Honeydew community:

• Have you noticed any connection between whey protein and your skin?
• Did eliminating it make a difference?
• If you switched to a non-whey protein, did your acne change?

Real experiences can be helpful in understanding patterns that research alone doesn’t fully capture.

👉 Full breakdown: https://www.honeydew.com/blog/does-whey-protein-cause-acne