# Why does nose grease make DP foam reduce quicker?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nose-grease-make-dp-foam-reduce-quicker/313247>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [July 20, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nose-grease-make-dp-foam-reduce-quicker/313247 "2005-07-20T04:08:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![texas60guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea5d25/32.png) [@texas60guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/texas60guy)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nose-grease-make-dp-foam-reduce-quicker/313247/1 "2005-07-20T04:08:59Z")

</div>

Regarding the comments about Nutrasweet foam in Cecil’s column ([http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_043.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_043.html)), I have a question.

Why does the foam dissipate much, much more quickly when I rub my sweaty, oily nose a little, then place my nose-greased finger into the foam? Is there some sort of chemical reaction going on between the carbon dioxide and the nose grease? I drink a lot of Diet Dr Pepper and have used this trick hundreds of times to quicken my fill-ups.

Don’t believe this works? Try it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nose-grease-make-dp-foam-reduce-quicker/313247/2 "2005-07-20T20:47:10Z")

</div>

The correct reference is [My Nutrasweetened soft drinks make huge mounds of foam! What gives?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_043.html)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nose-grease-make-dp-foam-reduce-quicker/313247/3 "2005-07-20T21:39:23Z")

</div>

> [@texas60guy](#):
>
> Why does the foam dissipate much, much more quickly when I rub my sweaty, oily nose a little, then place my nose-greased finger into the foam? Is there some sort of chemical reaction going on between the carbon dioxide and the nose grease? I drink a lot of Diet Dr Pepper and have used this trick hundreds of times to quicken my fill-ups.

Sounds like a “mechanical” effect rather than a chemical reaction. I’m sure any kind of grease would have the same effect.

And I bet you don’t have to share beverages with your friends often.