Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsToothpaste and PimplesTriclosanSkin IrritationOver DryingAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Toothpaste and Pimples
Triclosan
Skin Irritation
Over Drying
Alternatives
Putting toothpaste on a pimple won’t help it go away faster. Toothpaste is an acne remedy that has no evidence to support it. It may even cause problems such as skin irritation and over drying.
Some acne treatments share bacteria-killing properties with toothpaste, but acne treatments and toothpaste are different products designed for separate uses. There are many alternatives for treating acne, most of them widely available over-the-counter products that are more effective than toothpaste.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Does Toothpaste Heal Pimples Faster?
Toothpaste has been touted as an inexpensive spot treatment for blemishes, with some claiming toothpaste can heal a pimple overnight. The idea may be linked to ingredients in many brands of toothpaste that kill bacteria in the mouth. These ingredients, however, don’t make them the right product for treating acne-causing bacteria.
Most people will find the toothpaste leaves their skin red, stinging, inflamed, and irritated. This may make an already red and swollen blemish even worse.
Toothpaste wasn’t designed to be put on the skin, and the ingredients in it aren’t meant to control acne-causing bacteria.
Triclosan in Toothpaste
Triclosan is a common ingredient in toothpaste as well as acne skin care products. Some studies have shown that specific formulas with triclosan can killPropionibacteria acnes,the bacteria that causes acne.
Triclosan effectively kills bacteria. However, in its 2017 final ruling, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of triclosan in hand soaps and body washes without a premarket review.The decision was due to concern over its long-term safety, its contribution to antimicrobial resistance, and the lack of evidence thatantibacterial soapscontaining triclosan offered clear benefits.
Triclosan is still allowed in toothpaste, though, because it’s been shown to be effective at reducing plaque and gingivitis.
Toothpaste and Triclosan ExposureTriclosan has been so widely used in personal care products and other goods that roughly 75% of the United States population has been exposed to it.In 2017, the European Union banned its use in all antibacterial hygiene products for humans, but in the U.S., it remains in use in various products, including toothpaste. Some researchers have called for additional study of triclosan due to concerns about possible health impacts.
Toothpaste and Triclosan Exposure
Triclosan has been so widely used in personal care products and other goods that roughly 75% of the United States population has been exposed to it.In 2017, the European Union banned its use in all antibacterial hygiene products for humans, but in the U.S., it remains in use in various products, including toothpaste. Some researchers have called for additional study of triclosan due to concerns about possible health impacts.
Toothpaste Irritates or Burns Skin
Besides being unlikely to work, toothpaste will probably burn and irritate your skin—especially your face.
Some people develop a chemical burn or a rash calledcontactdermatitisafter applying toothpaste on a pimple. This can make your skin feel sore and your pimple look worse.
Toothpaste May Over Dry Your Skin
You should not try to remove pimples with toothpaste, even if you only leave the toothpaste in place for a short amount of time. The ingredients in toothpaste may burn your skin and can make a pimple look worse.
Toothpaste Alternatives
If you’re looking for a way to get rid of a pimple fast, there are better options than toothpaste. Try an over-the-counter acne treatment instead. These products contain benzoyl peroxide orsalicylicacid, all of which can help to reduce redness and speed healing.
Acne spot treatment products are milder for your skin than toothpaste, and they’re inexpensive. You can find many spot treatments at your local drugstore or online. Some of these products can be applied to your pimple overnight. Make sure you read the instructions to ensure you’re using them correctly.
If you’re already seeing a dermatologist for your acne, speak to your provider before using any spot treatment. Keep in mind that what you think is a pimple may be another condition, likesebaceous hyperplasia. Your dermatologist can diagnose and treat the condition.
If you have largecystic acne, your dermatologist may suggest using cortisone injections to shrink them. They may be an option to help a nodule or cyst heal if it’s not responding to other treatments.
Home Remedies
You may be able to remove pimples naturally at home withacne home remedieslike tea tree oil. A 2020 study found tea tree oil effective for killing acne-causing bacteria and could be a possible substitute for antibiotic therapy.If you try it, use a small amount on your skin at first and stop if you notice any adverse reactions.
Summary
Toothpaste is not an effective treatment for pimples. If pimples are a regular problem for you, consider an acne treatment regimen.
Over-the-counter acne products andprescription acne medicationshelp to prevent pimples and heal existing ones. Using these treatments consistently can help keep your skin clear.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Dall’oglio F, Tedeschi A, Fabbrocini G, Veraldi S, Picardo M, Micali G.Cosmetics for acne: indications and recommendations for an evidence-based approach.G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2015;150(1):1-11.
US Food & Drug Administration.5 things to know about triclosan.
Weatherly LM, Gosse JA.Triclosan exposure, transformation, and human health effects.J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2017;20(8):447-469. doi:10.1080/10937404.2017.1399306
Cleveland Clinic.Does putting toothpaste on a pimple make it go away?
Esmael A, Hassan M, Amer M, et al.Antimicrobial activity of certain natural-based plant oils against the antibiotic-resistant acne bacteria.Saudi J Biol Sci. 2020;27(1):448-455. doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2019.11.006
Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al.Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.J Am Acad Dermatol.2016;74:945. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037
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