How to Treat Acne with Toothpaste

Choose white toothpaste. When choosing a toothpaste to treat acne, go for the white one, not the one with red, blue or green stripes. Ingredients that help dry out acne like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and triclosan are all found in the white part of toothpaste, while the colored parts can contain ingredients that can irritate the skin. ^[1]

Avoid using creams with active whitening ingredients. Teeth whitening creams contain bleaching agents (to make teeth whiter) that can bleach or burn the skin, causing itching. This is especially true for people with darker skin – as excess melanin in the skin makes the skin more reactive, and therefore more prone to scarring and acne. People with fair skin may be less affected by these ingredients, but it’s still best to avoid whitening toothpastes. ^[2]

Do not use gel toothpaste. Gel toothpastes are formulated differently from regular toothpastes, and therefore may lack the active ingredients needed to effectively dry out acne. You should not use them, as they are not good for your skin.

Choose a low-fluoride toothpaste. More than 95% of toothpaste in the US contains fluoride because it helps remove plaque and prevent gum disease. ^[3] However, many people actually have a mild skin allergy to fluoride, and fluoride can cause dermatitis (rash) if it comes in contact with the skin. For this reason, it’s best to look for a toothpaste with the lowest possible fluoride content (or no fluoride) to minimize the risk of skin irritation. ^[4]

Choose organic toothpaste. Organic toothpaste is probably your best bet when it comes to acne. They are fluoride free (except in the case of natural fluoride) and contain no growth hormones, pesticides or other chemicals. On the other hand, they still contain the essentials to dry out acne like baking soda and tea tree oil, along with the addition of natural anti-bacterial and soothing agents like aloe vera, myrrh, and eucalyptus oil.

Wash your face. As with any topical treatment, it’s important that you apply the toothpaste to clean, dry skin. Dirt or excess oil on the skin can limit the effectiveness of the treatment. Wash your face with warm water and cleanser, then pat dry.

Squeeze some toothpaste onto your finger. Squeeze a little toothpaste onto your index finger or on the back of your hand. A pea-sized amount is enough, depending on how many pimples you need to treat.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste directly to the pimple. You will only need to apply a very small amount of toothpaste to the tip of the acne to be effective. Just make sure you apply the cream directly to the spot, not the surrounding skin.

• Never apply toothpaste all over the surface of the skin like a mask. The reason is that toothpaste has a drying effect on the skin, which in turn can cause redness, itchiness, and flaking of the skin anywhere but the pimple. ^[1]

Leave for two hours or overnight. For best results, you should let the toothpaste dry on your skin for two hours or overnight. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin, it’s best to wash your toothpaste off every 15 minutes to half an hour to gauge how your skin reacts. If your skin doesn’t react, you can gradually increase the amount of time.

• Some people believe that gauze should be applied to the pimple to keep the toothpaste in place. However, this is not recommended, as it can cause the toothpaste to smear the surrounding skin, leading to irritation, and also prevent the skin from breathing.

Gently wipe clean. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the toothpaste, wiping in small circular motions. Wipe gently, as rubbing too hard can irritate or injure the skin. After wiping off the toothpaste, splash warm water on your face and pat dry with your hands or a soft towel. You can apply a soothing moisturizer if it feels dry and tight.

Do it no more than four times a week. As mentioned, toothpaste can be irritating, especially if you have sensitive skin, so this is not a method you should use multiple times a day, or more than four times a week. After daily application, for 2-3 days in a row, you can notice a marked improvement in the size and color of your acne. After that, you should let the acne heal on its own.

Toothpaste is not a dermatologist-recommended acne medication. Although toothpaste is commonly used at home to treat acne, very few dermatologists recommend it as a treatment. This is because toothpaste can dry out the skin, causing redness, irritation, and even burns.

• Regular toothpaste does not contain the same antibacterial ingredients as over-the-counter acne creams. ^[1]
• For this reason, toothpaste should only be used as an emergency treatment for pimples, and you should stop using it immediately if your skin reacts badly. There are many other home treatments you can try as safer, more effective alternatives to toothpaste.

Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is an excellent topical acne medication that works against blackheads, whiteheads, and nodules. It works by killing bacteria in the pores, preventing acne from forming in the first place. While effective, benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness and peeling, so you should only use it occasionally. Benzoyl peroxide is available over the counter in the form of creams, lotions, gels, patches, and cleansers. ^[5]

Salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is another effective over-the-counter acne medication. It works by reducing inflammation and redness, while also exfoliating the skin. Unlike most acne medications, salicylic acid actually helps calm the skin, making it a good choice for sensitive skin. Salicylic acid is sold in different concentrations and in several forms, so check with your pharmacist or dermatologist which is best for you. ^[6]

Sulfur. For people with sensitive skin, sulfur is very effective in treating acne. Although it is very gentle, it also has a drying effect on acne. Sulfur draws oil out of clogged pores and regulates sebum production. The only downside is that pure sulfur has a rotten egg smell, so you may need to use it in conjunction with another product to reduce the odor. ^[7]

Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a pleasant-smelling natural remedy for acne. Green tea is an effective antiseptic, helping to reduce the size of an existing pimple and help prevent it from re-growing. Since it is an essential oil, it is very suitable for people with dry skin. Tea tree oil should be applied directly to the acne. ^[8]

Aspirin. The official name of aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, which is closely related to the salicylic acid mentioned above. Aspirin is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that reduces the size and severity of acne breakouts. You can crush an aspirin or two and mix it with a little water to make a thick paste, then apply it directly to the acne, or you can dissolve 5-8 tablets in a few drops of water to make a mask. Applying aspirin will reduce redness and lighten the skin. ^[9]

Baking soda. Baking soda is one of the best and safest home remedies for acne. Baking soda has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, as well as exfoliating. Simply mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a little water to make a slightly paste. Then apply the mixture to individual acne spots to treat, or apply to the entire face as a mask. ^[10]