Stop putting toothpaste on pimples: Tip of the Day 7-8-22

Waking up to a new pimple isn’t the kind of surprise I like waking up to. When this happens, naturally the first thing that comes to mind is, “Get rid of it”. Turns out, the “dab it with toothpaste” trick is not what the doctor ordered.

Even though lots of people swear by this, experts say toothpaste on your skin can leave your pimples looking worse rather than better.

The misconception probably centers around the ingredient triclosan being found in both acne products and toothpaste. Researchers say triclosan does effectively kill bacteria. In toothpaste, it kills bacteria that causes bad breath, and it's been shown to be effective at reducing plaque and gingivitis. In acne products, triclosan is used as a preservative, not an active ingredient. Researchers say studies show that triclosan can kill the bacteria that causes acne. But, it has to be formulated in a specific way to do this. Because of the way it is formulated, toothpaste has no acne-fighting ability.

If you’re looking for something to get rid of a pimple quickly, try products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur. If you’re prone to break-outs, ask your dermatologist for an acne spot treatment.

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