A look at using toothpaste to fight acne
In a bid to get the most effective way of how to get rid of acne and spots, we’ve tried almost everything. We’ve made homemade face masks, squirted lemon juice on our skin, cracked eggs to smear their whites on our face and put on the best acne treatments available in the hopes of ending the pimples. And yet, the one trick we always go back to is using good old toothpaste. But, does toothpaste work on acne?
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Why use Toothpaste on acne?
Combatting Acne with Toothpaste
Toothpaste has a drying impact on pimples which can help lessen redness and inflammation, reducing the life cycle of a blemish. It contains certain ingredients; baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, menthol, essential oils, triclosan, that dry out pimples. However, there are no additional or active ingredients in toothpaste that make this method more effective than conventional treatments. Beware of over-drying and even burning sensations as it can irritate the skin.
Ways of using toothpaste for acne
Choosing Toothpaste
Go for white-colored toothpaste
When choosing a toothpaste for acne, opt for an all-white version, not one with red, blue or green stripes. The ingredients which help to dry out zits- like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and triclosan – are carried in the white part of the toothpaste, while the colored sections may contain ingredients which will irritate the skin.
Avoid teeth-whitening toothpaste.
Whitening toothpaste contains bleaching agents, for whitening teeth, which may bleach or burn the skin, causing skin patches. This is notably true for those with darker skin colors, as the extra melanin makes it more reactive, and therefore more likely to get marks and blemishes. Fair-skinned persons may be less affected by these ingredients; however, it is better to avoid whitening toothpaste regardless.
Stay away from gel toothpaste
Gel-type toothpaste has a distinct formulation than actual “paste” toothpaste, and so they may be lacking the active ingredients needed to dry out pimples effectively. Avoid using it as it is of no benefit to the skin.
Pick a toothpaste with a lower fluoride content percentage
Fluoride is added to over 95% of all toothpaste as it helps to eliminate dental plaque and inhibit gum disease. However, many people suffer from a mild topical allergy to fluoride, and it may cause dermatitis if it comes in touch with the skin. Thus, it is best to find one with as low a fluoride percentage as possible or fluoride-free, if you can find it, to reduce the risk of skin irritation.
Try organic toothpaste
Organic toothpaste is probably your best option in treating pimples. They contain no fluoride, unless it is naturally derived, no growth hormones, pesticides or other chemicals. On the other hand, they still have the ingredients needed for drying out pimples – like baking soda and tea tree oil – and natural soothing and anti-bacterial substances like aloe, myrrh, and eucalyptus oil.
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Toothpaste Application
Wash your face
As with any spot treatment, it is critical to apply the toothpaste to clean, dry skin. This guarantees that there is no dirt or surplus oil on the skin that may reduce the effectiveness of the remedy. Use lukewarm water and your preferred cleanser, then pat dry to lock in moisture.
Squeeze a little toothpaste onto your finger
Squeeze some toothpaste on your index finger. A pea-sized amount should be sufficient, depending on the pimples you’re treating.
Apply a small amount of toothpaste straight onto the pimple
You need to apply a very small amount of toothpaste to the pimple for the remedy to be effective. Just make sure that you utilize the toothpaste right onto the pimple itself, not on the encompassing skin. Toothpaste should never be smeared all over the skin or applied as a face mask. This is because it works by drying out the skin, which can cause redness, inflammation, and peeling if applied anywhere but on the pimple itself.
Leave the toothpaste on for about two hours or overnight
Leave it on for two hours or overnight, for the best results. However, for very sensitive skin, it may be best to remove it after fifteen minutes to half an hour, to measure your skin’s reaction. If it appears to be handling the toothpaste well, you can leave it on for longer periods. Some people promote placing a band-aid on the pimple to help the toothpaste stay in place. However, this is not fit, as it may cause it to spread on the nearby skin, leading to inflammation, while also preventing the skin from breathing.
Gently wash the toothpaste off
You can clean off the toothpaste with a moist washcloth, using small, circular movements. Make sure to be very gentle, as rubbing too hard might irritate or harm the skin. When all the toothpaste has been cleaned, splash your face with some lukewarm water and pat it dry with your hands or a clean, soft towel.
Apply your favorite moisturizer if your skin feels tight and dry
Do not use it more than four times a week. As stated before, toothpaste can be irritating, especially if you have delicate skin, so it should not be used a lot. After using the treatment once a day, 2-3 days in a row, you may see a change in the size and color of the zit. From then, you should allow the pimple to heal on its own.
Alternative options
Be aware that this is not a dermatologist-approved acne remedy. Although using toothpaste as a quick-fix for acne is a popular home remedy that’s been here for years, there are very few dermatologists, who would support it as an acne treatment. This is because it can be very drying on the skin, resulting in redness, irritation and sometimes even burns. Regular toothpaste also has none of the anti-bacterial constituents that make over-the-counter acne creams more efficient in treating and inhibiting pimples. Thus, toothpaste should only be used as an emergency remedy, and you should stop using it if your skin is reacting badly. There are many other spot remedies you can try, as safer, more effective options.
- Try benzoyl peroxide. It is a great topical acne remedy that fights blackheads, whiteheads, and bigger pimples. It kills bacteria in the pores, preventing acne from forming. Although effective, benzoyl peroxide can cause the skin to be dry and peel, so it should be used sparingly. It is available over-the-counter, in creams, lotions, gels, medicated pads, and cleansers.
- Give salicylic acid a try. Salicylic acid is another effective over-the-counter acne medication. It works by decreasing inflammation and redness, while also serving as an exfoliant. Unlike most acne treatments, salicylic acid helps soothe and calm the skin, making it a good choice for delicate skin. Salicylic acid is available in different strengths and many various forms, so ask your pharmacist or dermatologist which type is best for you.
- Use sulfur. Sulfur is a great pimple-buster for sensitive skin. It’s very gentle and very effective at drying out pimples. It draws oil out of blocked pores and regulates sebum production. The only downside is that it smells like rotten eggs, so use it in combination with another product to hide the smell.
- Try using tea tree oil. This oil is a pleasant-smelling, natural remedy for acne. It is a powerful antiseptic, which serves to reduce the size of existing pimples, while also helping to stop future breakouts. As it is an oil, so it will not strip the skin of its natural moisture, presenting a good choice for those with very dry skin. The oil should be applied directly onto pimples, with a q-tip.
- Apply crushed-up aspirin. Aspirin [ acetylsalicylic acid], which is closely linked to salicylic acid, named above. Aspirin is a strong anti-inflammatory, making it an effective remedy for reducing the size and redness of pimples. You can crush an aspirin or two and mix it with a little water to form a paste, which you can put on right on the pimples, or dissolve 5-8 tablets and few drops of water to make a facial mask that will decrease redness and leave the skin glowing.
- Use some baking soda. Baking soda is among the best and most reliable home remedies for acne. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities, as well as being a useful exfoliant. Simply combine a teaspoon of baking powder with some water to form a paste. Apply the paste to specific pimples as a spot treatment, or apply it all over the face as a mask.
- See a dermatologist. Finding an acne regimen that works can be a process of trial and error, but if you continue to get breakouts, you should think of seeing a dermatologist who can prescribe stronger topical or oral medication. Getting rid of pimples for good will give you a major confidence boost.
Extra tips to help prevent acne and breakouts
- Keep your hands off your face as much as possible. Touching or picking at pimples can cause infection making healing difficult.
- For the best results leave it on all night and wash it with lukewarm water the next day.
- Do a patch test before using the toothpaste on your face
- Wipe some hydrogen peroxide over the pimples to kill germs, especially if you popped, touched or aggravated them.
- Hydrogen Peroxide is used as a bleaching agent, so don’t use it a lot as it will whiten the skin.
- This treatment rarely works, but some have reported that it does. Use it as a last resort.
- If you think it’s too risky, you could always use makeup; it could also help them be non-visible.
- For sensitive skin, be cautious of what you use; some toothpaste can make your skin worse.
- Keep these spots healthy and cleanse them daily to reduce the oil in your skin.
- When you touch, pop a pimple or acne never touch other parts of your body without washing your hand. This will help to reduce the transmission of acne or pimples.
Warnings: If your skin has any adverse reaction to the toothpaste, stop using it right away, as overuse can burn the skin.
