Toothpaste on Pimples: Does It Work?

A home remedy that has both bad and good effects, applying toothpaste on pimples isn't recommended by dermatologists. Why does it work sometimes, but not always?

The straightforward answer to the question "Does toothpaste work on pimples?" is both Yes and No. Find out why toothpaste on pimples became a folk remedy and what you can do to fight acne without any unpleasant side effects.

An old skincare trick that's still being passed around as sage advice, the application of toothpaste on pimples doesn't have any guaranteed effect. It can however cause even more skin problems, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Why Does Toothpaste Work on Pimples?

When you're willing to try anything to get rid of acne, toothpaste can be an interesting experiment and it's still being recommended as the simplest home remedy.

The reason for this is that a lot of brands of toothpaste contain some ingredients that can be used in the treatment of acne, but also substances that don't belong on your face.

Toothpaste on Pimples: Does It Work?

When it works, the application of toothpaste on pimples can be explained by some ingredients that can dry out the skin: baking soda, alcohol, menthol, triclosan and even hydrogen peroxide, present in some brands of toothpaste that promise a whitening effect for your teeth.

Overall, there aren't any ingredients in toothpaste that make it a better remedy than other products created for your skin. However, there are plenty of chemical compounds found in toothpaste that can irritate your skin.

The pimples can go away with the redness and peeling of the skin, but that certainly doesn't recommend toothpaste as a good acne remedy. If you're using toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide, you can even experience further discoloration sometimes present on acne prone skin.

Acne Remedies that Work Better than Toothpaste

Out of all the ingredients in toothpaste that seem to have a good effect on acne, baking soda is the only one that should be used on its own. As a facial scrub, baking soda can even speed up the clearing of breakouts that may even be caused by using toothpaste on pimples.

Any over the counter product for acne can have a better effect than toothpaste, especially if it contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or both. These can both help clear acne and prevent it.

Keep in mind that regular cleansing and exfoliation help your pores stay unclogged and wash away the bacteria. Taking care of your skin regularly is a much better alternative to using toothpaste on acne.