Oil pulling: why an oil-in-water solution is the modern and more effective alternative

Oil pulling: why an oil-in-water solution is the modern and more effective alternative

Published on December 18, 2025

The oil pulling practice is an ancient ritual that is attracting growing interest from those seeking natural solutions to purify the mouth and improve breath. The principle is appealing: using a plant-based oil to capture certain impurities and temporarily reduce bacterial load. But in practice, maintaining it as a daily habit remains challenging and is often difficult to sustain over time.

It is precisely from this observation that a more modern approach emerged: an 'oil-in-water' formula, inspired by oil pulling, but designed to be simpler, more comfortable, and better suited to oral balance.

Today, I'm going to explain what oil pulling actually is, why it works, and why the The Smilist Purifying Biphasic Micro-oil is a particularly relevant alternative.

1. Oil pulling: definition, benefits and limitations

The oil pulling technique involves swishing a plant-based oil around the mouth for several minutes, generally first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, before spitting it out. The most commonly used oil is coconut oil, valued for its natural purifying properties — particularly thanks to its high lauric acid content. Its main benefit lies in a mechanical action: the oil can capture some of the bacteria and residues present in the mouth, which temporarily improves the feeling of freshness and can help limit bad breath.

However, this practice has significant limitations. It is time-consuming (often 10 to 20 minutes), impractical on a daily basis, sometimes unpleasant in the mouth, and its effectiveness depends heavily on consistency. Moreover, used alone, it remains superficial and does not replace the essential steps of oral hygiene. It is this gap between an interesting principle and a practice that is poorly suited to everyday life that led to a rethinking of this ritual.

2. Dual-phased micro-oil: an alternative inspired by oil pulling, but optimised

The The Smilist Purifying Biphasic Micro-oil draws directly on the principle of oil pulling, while making it more effective and easier to use. It contains pure coconut oil, chosen for its purifying properties, but incorporated into a biphasic formula that combines an oily phase (to capture impurities and bacteria) with a soothing aqueous phase (to respect the mucous membranes and oral balance).

What also sets it apart is the presence of prebiotics in the formula. Whereas traditional oil pulling works primarily through a mechanical action, the prebiotics support the oral ecosystem by nourishing the 'good' bacteria. In practice, this helps maintain a more stable microbiome — which is essential for a healthier mouth, fresher breath, and better everyday comfort.

Unlike traditional oil pulling, the biphasic micro-oil is used in just a few seconds, with no heavy feeling or time pressure. The habit becomes easier to adopt and therefore more consistent — and that is often where long-term effectiveness is won.

3. Why the biphasic micro-oil is better suited to a daily routine

The effectiveness of an oral care treatment depends above all on its consistency. A method that is too time-consuming or demanding is rarely maintained over the long term. The biphasic micro-oil offers several practical advantages: quick to use and compatible with an active lifestyle, an alcohol-free formula that is gentle on gums and mucous membranes, a purifying action inspired by oil pulling but more targeted, and respect for the natural balance of the mouth.

It integrates easily after brushing or at any point during the day, particularly when the mouth feels dry or breath needs refreshing. And because it combines the action of oil with microbiome support via prebiotics, it fits into a more modern approach to oral health: purify, without disrupting.

In summary: biphasic micro-oil or oil pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient practice with an interesting principle, but it is demanding to follow every day. Its effectiveness depends heavily on duration and consistency. The The Smilist Purifying Biphasic Micro-oil, inspired by the same gesture and formulated with pure coconut oil, is a modernised version: quicker, more comfortable, and optimised thanks to the addition of prebiotics that support the balance of the oral microbiome.

At The Smilist, we believe in natural rituals when they are reinterpreted with scientific rigour and formulation standards. The biphasic micro-oil embodies this vision: the oil pulling gesture, reimagined for modern life.

Christiane
Dentist & Co-founder of The Smilist