Can Saliva Cure Acne?
Submitted by Beauty Brains Blog
Karina’s question…My grandmother always told me that putting saliva on my pimples before going to sleep was the best way to get rid of them. Although a lot of people said it was a wife’s tale, it always worked for me. Is there any science to back this up or was I experiencing a placebo effect? 
The Right Brain spits out a response:
Your grandmother was ahead of her time, Karina. A recent report proves what many of us thought all alomg: there is a specific chemical in human saliva with wound healing properties.
Saliva science
Scientists originally thought that human saliva contained Epidermal Growth Factor, the same chemical responsible for the healing power of rat saliva. But research from the department of oral biochemistry at the University of Amsterdam has shown that human saliva contains different chemical agents known as histatins. Using an in vitro model for wound closure the researchers demonstrated that histatins speed healing.
Anti acne
This study focussed on wound healing, not pimples. But since acne is caused by a type of bacteria, it’s plausible histatins could be attacking zits at their source. So there is at least a potential scientific explanation for the antiacne properties of spit. Of course saliva doesn’t magically heal ALL skin injuries. If it did, then Sarah Bellum wouldn’t show up every Monday morning with those big red marks on her neck.
Marketing madness
I can only imagine the marketing spin that the big acne companies will put on this discovery:
Clearasyl will change it name to “Clear-a-saliva.”
Proactiv will ask spokesperson Jessica Simpson to spit into every bottle.
Thermaclear will claim that their zit zapper warms saliva to make it work better.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Spit on a zit may not be such an old wives tale after all. Just make sure it’s your own saliva!
