How to Use Toothpaste to Soothe Pimples

If you’ve never heard of toothpaste working on pimples, then the mere mention of this product must have made your jaw drop to the floor. Not surprising. Here’s a brief overview of what toothpaste does to your pimples as well as your skin:

• Baking soda in the paste keeps the skin’s pH level neutral;

• Toothpaste contains silica whose anti-inflammatory properties help in healing any skin damage;

• Toothpaste prevents infection from spreading to other portions of the skin;

• Toothpaste reduces inflammation, swelling and redness;

• Toothpaste shrinks pimples by drying them out;

• Toothpaste contains triclosan, which is known to kill the bacteria causing acne called Propionibacterium acnes.

Use Toothpaste Only

For this (or any of the other DIY recipes mentioned below), you always need to wash your hands with soap and dry them. Then take the blunt end of a toothpick or a Q-tip, dip it a little inside your paste tube, and apply carefully on your pimples.

Make sure that the toothpaste doesn’t touch any area of your skin that doesn’t have pimples, otherwise it will dry out very quickly. Do not spread or smudge. Let the paste air dry for half an hour or so. You can even leave it overnight, but doing so often results in dry skin and a dark temporary mark the pimple leaves behind, so it’s not recommended.

Before removing the paste, dampen it with water so that it softens, and then remove with a cotton swab. At last, apply a moisturizer in order to hydrate the area of your skin the paste was applied on.

Use with Honey

If you have dry or sensitive skin, then using just toothpaste on pimples is not advised. Instead, adding just a little bit of honey will not only work wonders on your pimple but on your skin as well.
Now, why honey? Because for starters, it has naturally occurring anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps fight infection, keeps redness to a minimum and moisturizes your skin like nothing else.

All you have to do is to add honey and toothpaste in a 1:2 ratio. Use a toothpick to mix the mixture, and apply with a Q-tip of the blunt end of the toothpick!

Use with Cinnamon

Much like honey, cinnamon is a powerhouse of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which keep infection at bay. It immediately dries out the acne, softens your skin and even de-clogs your pores.

Just like with honey, simply add toothpaste and cinnamon powder in a 2:1 ratio. All the instructions are the same as above.

Do keep in mind that some people might experience a stinging sensation, which is natural till it’s minimal. If, however, you feel like it’s becoming unbearable, immediately wash off the mixture from your face.

Use with Baking Soda

Now if you don’t know what a wonderful little item the humble baking soda is, then I suggest you go through our article here first. Baking soda not only gets rid of your acne and pimple problems, but also helps clear your skin and clean your pores! To use this correctly, all you need to do is to mix toothpaste, soda and water in a 1:2:2 ratio. Make sure it’s not too runny or watery.

Apply on your pimples and do not let it stay for more than 20 minutes on your skin. If you have dry or sensitive skin, do not keep it on for more than 10 minutes. If it irritates your skin, then immediately wash it off with water (no soap) and apply some cold cream on the area.

Now that you know how toothpaste on pimples works and how to make DIY masks, it’s time for certain tips and precautions to be shared with you. Please do keep in mind the following things:

• Make sure the ingredients list mentions at least one of the following ingredients: menthol, fluoride, alcohol, baking soda, sodium pyrophosphate or triclosan.

• Toothpaste has a tendency to bleach your skin, so if you have very dark skin, be cautious.

• Make sure you’re drinking 5 liters of water daily, eating a healthy diet and not binge eating on junk food

• If you have fresh cuts, scars, rashes, or breaks on your skin, do not apply toothpaste on it. The same goes for cracked or inflamed skin.

• Make sure to do a patch test on the inside of your arms.

• People with dry skin aren’t advised to put the mixture on their skin for more than 10 minutes, as it may dry their skin further.

• Do not opt for gel based toothpaste because their ingredient list is vastly different from that of regular toothpaste.

• Under no condition should toothpaste or a mixture of toothpaste and other ingredients be used as a substitute for your doctor’s advice or dermatological treatment.

• Opt for toothpastes that are organic or natural as they have lesser chemicals in them.

• For natural toothpastes, those with mint, tea tree, aloe vera or eucalyptus extracts work just as well

• Do not use said mixture more than once a day or you may end up with terribly dry/patchy skin.

• Talk to a dermatologist if your problem is severe or if it continues to persist.