Last Updated on June 27, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
Quick Take
A popular myth among many social media users and beauty bloggers is that toothpaste can effectively treat pimples and acne. They claim that applying toothpaste over a pimple will dry it out and solve the acne problem. We fact-checked and found that the claim is false.
The Claim
Claims about using toothpaste in treating acne can be seen here, and here. A snapshot is also given below.
Fact Check
What are the causes of pimples?
Our skin has an oily substance called sebum that acts as a natural lubricator for skin and hair. This sebum mixed with dead skin cells, at times, clog the pores of the skin. Bacteria can then develop in these clogged pores and multiply resulting in redness and swelling. This is the most common reason for a pimple.
Can toothpaste help in drying out pimples?
Yes, it can but with the possibility of severe side effects on your skin.
The myth about toothpaste being effective against pimples probably started because of an ingredient called triclosan. Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent and, for long, was a common ingredient between toothpaste and anti-acne creams. But most toothpaste manufacturers do not use triclosan anymore in their products.
But even if Triclosan was present, experts believe it may not be of much use.
Dr. Jyoti Agarkar, MD (Dermatology) says, “Just because toothpaste kills bad breath bacteria, it does not mean that it will also kill acne-causing bacteria. Some studies say that Triclosan which is present in toothpaste can kill Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. Nevertheless, it needs to be formulated in a precise way to do this. Using any random product containing triclosan, like toothpaste, is not going to work.”
While some other ingredients in the toothpaste, like hydrogen peroxide, can still help dry out a pimple, they can leave the skin severely damaged. The website of John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital says, “It’s better to use medicine designed to treat pimples.”
Dr. Neha Khurana, MD (Dermatology), says, “Toothpaste can dry out a pimple because of the drying ingredients it contains but these ingredients can also irritate your skin by causing redness and peeling. Moreover, your skin’s natural pH balance gets disturbed and your skin is stripped of natural lipids. I will never recommend anyone to use toothpaste as an acne cream, especially when there are so many other options available.”
Dr. Joyeeta Chowdhury says, “Studies have found toothpaste to cause allergic reactions on the skin. They can no way be used to treat pimples. They will cause a burning sensation followed by scab formation and darkening of the skin.”
Dr. Iram Qazi, MD (Dermatology) says, “Toothpaste is not recommended for any skin-related problems.”
What are the harmful effects of using toothpaste on pimples?
From chances of a chemical burn to break out of further acne – experts suggest the risks are many.
Dr. Qazi says, “Ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide can cause skin irritation and make your skin extremely dry. Increased skin irritation can increase your acne and lead to scar formation. Also, increased skin dryness can cause overproduction of oils from skin glands thus triggering acne breakouts.”
Dr. Khurana says, “Toothpaste contains calcium carbonate, which is also found in the lime cement plaster applied to walls. Such ingredients, when applied to the skin, can irritate an already inflamed skin. It can also cause chemical burn & can lead to pigmentation.”
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