Does Putting Toothpaste on Pimples Work? Best Kind and How to Use It

Applying toothpaste on pimples (Zits or Acne) is one of the common home remedies used to treat them. But does toothpaste on pimples actually work? Is putting toothpaste on pimples good or bad? What kind of toothpaste works well on pimples? Online reviews and pictures taken before and after treating pimples with toothpaste show that particular toothpaste can actually cure pimples when they are properly used, especially overnight.

A pimple is a small bump on the skin caused by a clogged pore or hair follicle. Pimples are also called zits. They constitute a form of acne and they consist of papules and pustules. Other forms of acne are comedones, which consist of whiteheads and blackheads. Nodules and acne cysts usually constitute a form of severe acne.

Pimples are blemishes that many people find disgusting because they cause pain and are unsightly, especially when they are in open areas like your face, chin or neck. Therefore you will definitely want to get rid of pimples as soon as they appear to have your beautiful sparkling skin back again.

There are many causes of pimples, including, hormonal imbalances, skin type, poor diet, sweat, and the use of certain skin care products that may lead to clogged pores. However, some of the factors that cause pimples are genetically inherited from our parents.

Putting toothpaste on pimples is one of the readily available home remedies for pimples that many people are discussing. But does it really work, given that it is specially produced for teeth?

Reasons to Use Toothpaste on Pimples(Zits)

Toothpaste is used as a home remedy for pimples because it has ingredients that are useful in dealing with pimples. The notable useful properties in toothpaste include triclosan, silica, hydrogen peroxide, calcium carbonate and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). With these properties, toothpaste works in many ways to cure pimples.

1.  Calcium Carbonate in Toothpaste Helps Dry up the Pimples

Toothpaste contains calcium carbonate, which is an ingredient that helps dry up pimples by absorbing excess oil on the pimples. This ability of toothpaste to dry pimples is an important property since it makes them shrink, diminish and eventually disappear.

With time the pimples dry up and shrivel to form dead skin tissues that gradually defoliate and the pimple disappear. As it dries up the pimples, calcium carbonate also removes excess oil from the affected area. This clears out pores and helps the skin return to its normal condition.

2.  Triclosan in Toothpaste Kills the Bacteria in the Pimples

One reason why toothpaste is often used to treat pimples is that it has a vital ingredient called triclosan. It is a common component which is also present in products such as detergents, deodorants and body wash. Beside many other benefits, triclosan is very effective in destroying germs.

3.  Methanol in Toothpaste Can Reduce Swelling

The bacteria in pimples makes them painful and swollen and appear more conspicuous. If used, toothpaste relieves the swelling in the pimples.

Toothpaste contains small amounts of methanol that helps cool and relieves swollen pimples and other blemishes. Studies show that methanol can reduce swelling and improve cold-receptor activities

4. Silica in Toothpaste Soothes Inflammation

Silica has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve inflammation caused by the pimples.

5. Silica in Toothpaste Heals Damaged Skin

Silica also speeds up healing of damaged skin due to the pimples or zits.

6. Baking Soda in Toothpaste exfoliates Impurities on skin

Toothpaste contains baking soda that has cleansing and absorbent properties that draw out dirt and impurities from the pores. This way, it destroys the pimples and inhibits the development of more pimples.

7. Baking Soda in Toothpaste Balances the PH Level of the Skin

Baking soda also balances the skin’s pH level, thus inhibiting unnecessary skin reactions that would lead to the development of pimples. Optimum pH level also promotes healthy skin that can fight infections such as the bacteria in the pimples.

8. Toothpaste is Convenient and Affordable

When dealing with pimples, convenience is an important factor, given that can appear on your skin even when you do not expect. Toothpaste is no doubt helpful in this regard.

First, toothpaste always available in many homes for the purpose of brushing teeth. Hence, in many occasions, you do not need to go shopping for it when you need to use it on pimples.

Also, toothpaste is easy to handle since it is sticky. Applying toothpaste on the pimples is quick and simple as it only requires dabbing it on the pimples with your bare finger or hand.

Lastly, toothpaste is relatively cheap. On average it goes at only $5. Hence it can be afforded by most people or families

Does Toothpaste on Pimples Actually Work?

As we have mentioned above, a toothpaste generally has ingredients that are necessary to cure your pimples fast. Accordingly, it is an excellent and effective home remedy for pimples. Better still, it is affordable, readily available, easy and convenient to use.

However, some kinds of toothpaste do not have the necessary ingredients that help cure pimples. Others even have chemicals that may be harmful to your skin as they may cause irritation and damage to it. Hence some toothpaste may not actually work well on pimples and produce desirable results. That is why you might have read online posts that dismiss the use of toothpaste on pimples as an exercise in futility.

In addition, toothpaste may work well when used to treat pimples in some individuals but not others. So, if it does not work for you, it does not necessarily mean that it does not work at all. Online reviews from those who have tried using toothpaste on pimples show that when the right toothpaste is used with the correct procedure, there are positive results with this treatment.

Therefore, use the right kind of toothpaste on pimples. It should have the required ingredients and no harmful chemicals. Also, make sure that you follow the right procedure to get good results and avoid subjection your skin to unnecessary irritation and damage.

What Kind of Toothpaste on Pimples Works?

Not all types toothpaste will give positive results when put on pimples. Some are good while others are bad for your skin. Therefore, you have to choose a kind of toothpaste with particular properties in order to have desired results. The factors considered when selecting a toothpaste to use on pimples include

1. Ensure the Toothpaste Has the Right Ingredients

Not all kinds of toothpaste contain the important ingredients that are required to treat pimples. The toothpaste must have ingredients like triclosan, calcium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide in right proportions. You can confirm the presence of these ingredients by reading the information regarding the contents of the toothpaste tube or packaging box.

2. Select a White Toothpaste

An all-white toothpaste is the best for pimples. This is because ingredients such as triclosan, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, which are useful in getting rid of pimples, are found on the white toothpaste.

On the other hand, colored parts of the toothpaste do not contain the vital ingredients. Instead, they may contain other chemicals that may be harmful to your skin. Such chemicals may cause irritation on your skin. Hence, you have to avoid the brands of toothpaste that are colored such as blue, red or green ones. Not even a white type of toothpaste with colored stripes are good in this regard.

3. Select a Toothpaste with Lower Fluoride Content

Usually, fluoride is added to most of the brands of toothpaste in the market. This is because it is an important ingredient that helps get rid of plaque on teeth and prevent the development of gum diseases. Therefore, the presence of fluoride in the toothpaste plays an important role on teeth.

However, as a remedy for pimples, the toothpaste does not have to contain fluoride. In any case, many people suffer skin allergies when toothpaste containing fluoride is applied on their skins. In addition, it may cause a skin rash called dermatitis on your skin. Since it may not be easy to get fluoride-free toothpaste, go for toothpaste with the least fluoride to minimize chances of developing skin rashes or irritation. Better still, use fluoride-free toothpaste if you are able to get it.

3. Go for Organic Toothpaste

Organic toothpaste does not usually contain any fluoride and unnecessary growth hormones. In addition, they tend to be more natural and hence they do not have many other chemicals that are usually present in inorganic pesticides. Despite this, organic toothpaste still contains the active ingratiates that dry up and hence get rid of pimples on your skin.

The crucial ingredients present in most of the organic toothpaste include baking soda and tea tree oil. Besides, it contains other natural substances like aloe, myrrh and eucalyptus oil, which have both soothing and antibacterial properties. For these reasons, organic toothpaste is arguably the best option for removing pimples at home.

4. Avoid Gel Toothpaste

It is highly recommended that you avoid gel toothpaste when it comes to treating pimples. Gel toothpaste will not do you any good in this regard as they are composed of a very different formulation from the normal toothpaste.

As such, such toothpaste may lack the basic ingredients that are necessary to deal with pimples. Therefore, select the ordinary toothpaste and avoid gel toothpaste if you want to get effective treatment for your pimples.

Avoid Teeth Whitening Toothpaste

Basically, teeth-whitening toothpaste also contains bleaching agents that make your teeth whiter. Therefore, when you put such a toothpaste on pimples, it may actually bleach your skin against your intention. Besides, the teeth-whiting toothpaste may also irritate or burn your skin.

If you have a dark complexion, you are likely to be affected more by teeth whitening toothpaste. This is because the large amounts of melanin in dark-skinned people make their skin more reactive to such toothpaste. As a result, they are likely to spots, marks, and blemishes. Although people with fair skin are usually not significantly affected by teeth-whitening toothpaste, it is still advisable to avoid then just in case they may cause any problem.

How to Apply Toothpaste on Pimples (Zits)

To get desired results when using toothpaste on pimples, you should follow the right procedure. Otherwise, you may be disappointed or even end up worsening the situation if your skin becomes irritated and itchy or peels. For best results follow the steps outlined below:

1. Clean and Dry the Affected Area

Before putting toothpaste on your pimples, wash the affected area with warm water and your usual detergent and pat it dry with a towel. This ensures that the area to be treated is free from dirt and excess body oil.

Dirt and excessive oil may reduce the effectiveness of the toothpaste on the pimples. Similarly, applying toothpaste on wet skin may cause it to be diluted and spread to areas that are not intended for application.

2. Squeeze a Little Amount of the Toothpaste onto Your Finger

The next step is to open the tube contain the toothpaste and squeeze a small amount of it onto one of your fingers, preferably your index finger. The actual amount squeezed onto your finger may depend on the number of pimples you intend to treat.

3. Apply the Toothpaste on The pimples

Pat a small amount of the toothpaste onto the pimples. The toothpaste should be applied directly on a pimple without involving the skin around it. This will ensure effective treatment of the pimples without irritating the surrounding skin.

In case you have many pimples, apply the toothpaste on each pimple Never spread the toothpaste all over the skin or use it as a mask. Since the toothpaste primarily works by drying out the pimples, it might dry are of the skin over which it has been spread and cause irritation redness or even peeling.Pat a small amount of the toothpaste onto the pimple with your finger

4. Leave the Toothpaste on

After application, you need to leave the toothpaste one pimples for about 2-3 hours in order to dry the pimples. However, in case your skin is sensitive, you might need to try leaving the toothpaste for 15 to 30 minutes, and then longer periods depending on how your skin handles the toothpaste.

You do not need to wrap the affected area with a band after application. This will only spread the toothpaste over your skin and cause irritation and peeling. It may also clog your pores and prevent the normal breathing of your skin. For skins that are not sensitive, the toothpaste can be left on the pimples overnight for faster and better results.

5. Wash off the Toothpaste

After adequate time has elapsed, you need to wash away the toothpaste. The best way to do this is to place a damp washcloth over the pimples for a few seconds and then gently move it in circular motions to wipe off the toothpaste. After removing all the toothpaste, wash the affected area with warm water and dry it with a clean towel. You can apply a moisturizer to soothe the skin, especially if it feels tight and dry.

Note: Repeat this not more than four times a week. In view of the fact that toothpaste basically works by drying out the pimples, it is highly advisable that you should not apply it on your skin more than four times in a week. This is especially important if your skin is sensitive. This way, you will prevent the possible irritation on the affected area, which will only make matters worse. Generally, the pimple or pimples will begin to improve after a daily application of two to three days. Once you notice some positive changes on the pimple, stop applying the toothpaste and leave the pimple to slowly heal without further treatment.

Leaving Toothpaste on Pimples Overnight

What determines how long to leave toothpaste on pimples is mainly the nature of the skin with regard to sensitivity. If your skin is able to handle toothpaste well for a longer time, you can leave it on the pimples overnight. Treating pimples overnight with toothpaste will definitely give much better results fast.

If you choose to leave toothpaste on your face overnight, you have to be careful to avoid brushing it off as you sleep. You can choose to sleep with your face up for that day. Alternatively, you can decide to loosely wrap your face with a bandage and secure it with a tape. Make sure that it is not too tight to spread the toothpaste or stop your skin from breathing as this will cause irritation.

Toothpaste with other Remedies on Pimples

You can use toothpaste alone on pimples to get rid of them. However, to boost the effectiveness of toothpaste action on pimples, it is sometimes necessary to use it together with other remedies. Some of the common remedies that are used together with toothpaste include baking soda, cinnamon, salt, garlic, and honey.

Toothpaste and Baking Soda on Pimples

With both antiseptic and anti-inflammatory baking soda is another excellent home remedy for pimples. When used together with toothpaste, they give faster and more effective results.

Procedure:

1. Mix 1 teaspoon baking soda with ½ teaspoon of toothpaste
2. Add water dropwise as you mix until it forms a uniform
3. Apply a small amount of the mixture on each pimple by dabbing it with your finger
4. Leave it on the pimples for 10 – 15 minutes
5. Wash it away with water and pat dry your skin dry with a face towel or any other clean material.
6. Repeat this procedure once per day for 2 to 3 days.

Note: Do not leave the mixture of toothpaste and baking on your skin for too long, especially if you have a sensitive skin. This may cause irritation and peeling of your skin.

Toothpaste and Cinnamon on Pimples

Cinnamon contains antibacterial properties that help kill bacteria on pimples and heal them. Like toothpaste, it also helps dry out the pimples and hence heal them. In addition, cinnamon is important on your skin as it helps open clogged pores and allow oxygen to flow freely. This prevents harmful bacteria from accumulating in the pores, which may lead to the formation of more pimples.

Procedure:

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with 2 tablespoons of toothpaste.
2. Stir them well to form a uniform mixture
3. Apply the mixture directly on each of the pimples without letting spread to the surrounding healthy skin.
4. Let the mixture stay on the pimples for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Wash it away with water and pat your skin dry with a face towel
6. Repeat this procedure once daily for 2 to 3 days.

Note: When this mixture is applied on your skin, it may cause a little stinging. In case the stinging becomes unbearable, rinse the mixture off immediately and go for an alternative remedy.

Toothpaste and Salt on Pimples (Zits)

Besides, drying out the pimples, salt helps exfoliate excessive oil and dead skin from the pores in the skin. This helps heal the existing pimples and prevent further formation of pimples on the skin. It also helps balance the pH level on the skin leaving a healthy skin.

Procedure:

1. Add a little salt to enough amounts of toothpaste.
2. Mix them well.
3. Apply the mixture on each of the pimples individually.
4. Let the mixture stay on the pimples for a few minutes.
5. Rinse off the mixture with water and pat the area dry.
6. Repeat the procedure once a day for 2 to 3 days.

Toothpaste and Garlic on Pimples

Garlic is used to treat many skin problem. Among others, it has anti-bacterial properties that eliminate bacteria which causes pimples. It also helps relieve the inflammation, redness, and irritation on the skin.

Procedure:

1. Crush one garlic clove thoroughly in a small container
2. To it add a small amount of toothpaste and mix them well.
3. Apply the mixture on each of the pimples trying to avoid the surrounding skin.
4. Let the mixture stay on the pimples for 5 to 15 minutes.
5. Rinse the mixture off your skin with water and pat the affected area dry.
6. Repeat this procedure once daily for 2 to 3 days.

Toothpaste and Honey on Pimples

Honey contains antibacterial properties and helps speed up healing. It also produces a soothing effect that helps reduce the irritation that may be caused by toothpaste on your skin.

Procedure:

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of toothpaste with ½ teaspoon of raw honey.
2. Using one of your fingers, Pat a small amount of the mixture on each pimple
3. Leave it on the pimples for about 15 minutes.
4. Rinse the mixture off your skin with water and pat the affected area dry
5. Repeat this procedure once daily for 2 to 3 days.

Tips and Precautions about Putting Toothpaste on Pimples

• Do not use toothpaste on pimples if you have a sensitive or inflamed skin.
• Do a patch test to see if you’re allergic to toothpaste before using it for regular treatments
• If you have sensitive skin, don’t leave toothpaste for too long, usually not more than 15 minutes.
• Toothpaste may dry out your skin and cause irritation, patched or peeling skin if not used properly or if used too often.
• A toothpaste that contains menthol and fluoride can cause, irritation, itching, and inflammation, especially on sensitive skin.
• Some kinds of toothpaste may not contain three necessary ingredients like triclosan or hydrogen peroxide that fight pimples
• Although toothpaste may be used to cure pimples, it is not a medication specially indicated for the treatment for pimples.

What If Toothpaste on Pimples Does Not Work For You

In case putting toothpaste on pimples does not work for you or is just not a good choice for you, there are several other excellent home remedies for pimples that could work better for you. In case you are one who does not like or believe in home remedies, then you can go for over-the-counter medications for pimples Better still, you can opt to get pharmaceutical medications for pimples.

However, if you are still not comfortable with all these suggestions, your choices are not limited. You can opt to see your dermatologist who will probably suggest the best treatment for your pimples after examining them and the nature of your skin. Arguably, this is the best decision you can make about finding the best solution for your pimples. If you know how to prevent pimples, you can significantly reduce or stop development of pimples on your skin.

Toothpaste on Pimples Before and After

Information from reviews and pictures before and after using toothpaste on pimples are encouraging. They show that toothpaste is indeed an excellent home remedy for pimples. Here is a video showing how to apply toothpaste on pimples and how they appear before and after treating them.