Toothpaste For Pimples

Everything you need to know before using your toothpaste to manage those pesky bumps.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Zeel Gandhi Dr. Zeel Gandhi, BAMS
By Ramona Sinha Ramona Sinha, Certified Skin Care Coach • Jun 6, 2023

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You wake up one morning to find a scary new zit on your otherwise blemish-free face. What do you do? You might have heard of friends or coworkers just slathering on toothpaste to dry out their pimples. But can it really be that easy? Does this mean that you might never have to buy another skincare product in your life?

This article breaks down all the facts regarding the use of toothpaste on pimples. Read on to know more.

Though toothpaste may seem like an economical treatment for pimples, the effects can be extremely harmful in the long run. It may also cause allergies and adverse reactions.

Toothpaste gives an illusion of healing a pimple by drying the skin out. While this may appear good, it also has many potential risks. Toothpaste is intended to be used on the tough tooth enamelⁱXThe thin outer layer of a tooth that covers its cap or the visible portion above the gum line. and contains hard chemicals, including alcohol. These chemicals can leave your skin dry and irritated.

Toothpaste may also increase the risk of cancer (1). It contains certain ingredients that may pose a risk. We discuss these in the following section.

In This Article

Toothpaste Ingredients

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Some common ingredients in toothpaste are triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), glycerin, sorbitolⁱXA naturally occurring component that serves as a sweetener and helps maintain the texture and moisture of toothpaste. , fluorideⁱXA chemical added to toothpaste to promote dental health by boosting tooth enamel and increasing its resistance to tooth decay. , and sodium hydrogen carbonate (or baking soda) (2).

These ingredients are researched and deemed fit to keep your teeth clean before being included in toothpastes. However, the same cannot be said for the soft, supple skin on your face. Baking soda can throw the pH of your skin out of balance, leaving your face inflamed.

We know how toothpaste can promote oral hygiene. So, let us understand what science says about the use of toothpaste for treating pimples.

What Does Science Say?

Dermatologists don’t recommend using toothpaste on the skin

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Toothpaste cannot kill the bacteria that cause pimples. It was not meant to be used on skin. It may even have a detrimental effect on your skin in the long run. There is no evidence to prove that toothpaste can help with acne. You probably will not hear your dermatologist recommend it either.

Let us look into the reasons toothpaste cannot help treat acne.

Toothpaste May Contain Drying Agents Like Alcohol

Toothpaste may also contain alcohol. Anecdotal evidence suggests that applying alcohol to skin for longer periods may dry the skin out.

Toothpaste Contains Triclosan

Triclosan is another ingredient in toothpaste. If applied to skin, it is known to cause irritation and allergies (3). It is most often used as a preservative and may harm the skin.

The FDA has made it illegal to use triclosan in soaps and body washes (4). However, toothpaste is still permitted because of its properties that help combat plaqueⁱXA sticky or slippery colorless coating of bacteria that forms on teeth that can cause tooth decay. and other oral diseases.

Quick Tip

If using toothpaste for managing pimples is causing dry skin, apply 2-3 drops of argan oil to moisturize the affected area.

It is now clear that using toothpaste for treating acne may only cause more harm. But are there alternatives? What can you do to treat your acne?

What Can You Use For Treating Acne?

There are other treatment options you should consider to manage acne breakouts

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The best way to treat acne is opting for approved acne spot treatments. Such treatments will also reduce the risk of side effects like rashes or other allergic reactions. The treatments usually use benzoyl peroxide due to its bactericidal properties (5). You can also consult your dermatologist for more information on the treatment options.

You may also make use of the following for treating acne.

Acne-Specific Products

Opt for acne-specific products to treat and manage flare-ups

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Go for products specifically meant to treat acne. These products often contain substances with topical retinoidsⁱXA group of substances derived from vitamin A that alleviate skin issues like wrinkles by boosting collagen production. . They are available over-the-counter and can be bought from any medical store.

The AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) states that you should wash your face with a mild cleanser, after which you can apply 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream to the affected area (6).

You may also use sulfur-based treatments for treating acne. Even salicylic acid can be highly effective for your skin as it can counteract the harmful effects of acne (7).

Natural Home Remedies

There are natural remedies like certain oils that might help soothe acne breakouts

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Tee tree oil is quite popular for treating acne. Studies suggest that using tea tree oil on acne can help reduce the associated inflammation too (8). However, since tea tree oil is too strong, just a few drops are enough to help reduce the blemishes. The oil also works as an effective spot treatment.

Another effective remedy could be white willow bark, which is known to have some protective effect against acne (9).

Anecdotal evidence suggests that products containing charcoal and clay may also help treat acne. However, consult your dermatologist before using charcoal or clay for treating acne.

As seen, toothpaste is not suitable for treating acne. In fact, it also poses certain risks. We will briefly explore them in the next section.

What Are The Risks Of Using Toothpaste On Acne?

Using toothpaste on your acne could initially dry them out. This can cause your body to overproduce the skin oils to restore your skin to its normal state. This may eventually lead to a bigger acne outbreak.

Toothpaste also may contain other chemicals to deter tooth decay and kill the bacteria in your mouth. These chemicals may cause undesirable reactions on your skin. Overdrying your skin can also rob off its softness and texture. The chemicals in toothpaste are usually strong enough to clean your teeth enamel, and may not suit your face.

Leaving toothpaste on skin may also cause contact dermatitis, whose symptoms include skin redness and inflammation (10).

Toothpaste also may contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a compound with antimicrobial activity. But this compound, upon skin contact, may cause inflammation (2).

Quick Tip

Be very mindful of your skin health. The irritation after using toothpaste on pimples generally subsides after two days. If the irritation and itchiness persist beyond that, stop using this remedy immediately.

What Kind Of Toothpaste Should You Avoid?

While all toothpastes are generally harmful to your skin, some containing fluoride can be worse. These toothpastes can cause pimples on your cheeks or around your mouth when they come in contact with the skin while brushing (11).

Some believe fluoride toothpastes may also disturb the skin’s pH balance. However, more research is warranted in this regard.

When no beauty products could save us, most of us were guilty of using toothpaste for pimples and occasional breakouts. While some swear by this quick fix for breakouts, it is best to avoid using toothpaste for acne. Toothpaste may have a drying effect on the zit and may seem to work, but trust us, it does not! Instead, toothpaste may further irritate the breakout and worsen the condition. Better treatments and potent ingredients (like salicylic acid) are available to help you deal with your breakouts, so you can consult the doctor and follow the prescribed treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can toothpaste cause acne?

The chemicals and ingredients present in toothpastes may cause skin irritation and aggravate the acne on your skin. So, be mindful of using it for acne treatment.

Can toothpaste burn your skin?

Yes, toothpastes contain ingredients like baking soda and alcohol which may cause skin irritation, rashes, and a burning sensation. Refrain from using it as a facial cleanser.

Can I put toothpaste on a lip pimple?

No, avoid putting toothpaste on a lip pimple. Toothpastes contain ingredients like alcohol and baking soda that may cause skin dryness and irritation. Consult a dermatologist for pimple prevention and proper treatment.

Does baking soda toothpaste help acne?

No, ingredients like baking soda may not be as effective as prescribed medications in treating acne (12).

Key Takeaways

Toothpastes commonly contain compounds that can dry out your pimples and diminish their appearance.
However, it could trigger an allergic reaction, overproduction of sebum, or worsen acne breakouts.
A toothpaste with fluoride may disrupt the skin’s pH and aggravate the condition.
Thus, it is recommended to use acne-specific products or natural remedies, such as tea tree oil to treat pimples.

Sources

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