Can Toothpaste Rid Off Zits?

Can you guess why toothpaste was ever thought of as an acne cure option? Probably because everyone has access to a tube of toothpaste! If you can tune your imagination, maybe someone was staring at an annoying pimple across the mirror and the sight of the toothpaste just flashed the idea. Regardless of how the idea originated, the question is "can toothpaste cure acne?" Can it replace other remedies? Is it a recommended option? Let's see.

The answer to the first question is that toothpaste works, but don't list it among the long-term acne solutions. It is for you to decide whether it suits you after your experiment, but don't expect anything phenomenal and stay cautious. Some have found it effective, while others have complained of burnt skin. The toothpaste has different ingredients that have different effects on the skin. For example, those containing pyrophosphates work similarly to baking soda in getting rid of acne and improving skin cells. Sodium pyrophosphate is capable of removing plaque, so it could be useful in acne removal. It also acts as a buffer, emulsifier, and disperser.

Toothpaste work on acne because they contain menthol that has the potential to dry skin. It is the same menthol that renders a fresh minty sensation after you brush your teeth. Logically speaking, its drying property reduces skin oil and eliminates the zit or pimple. Triclosan, an antibacterial agent found in toothpaste, attacks acne-causing bacteria. It is generally used as a preservative in many skin care products, deodorants, soaps, etc.

And now for a word of caution, try the typical white toothpaste rather than gels. Avoid toothpaste with excessive additives like whiteners and fluorides that can exasperate irritation. Avoid those containing bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide that can inflame your skin. Also avoid cinnamon-containing formulations, especially red-colored pastes. Never rub the paste on your face, just dab a bit of it on the pimple. Don't leave it overnight.

Many suggest trying out toothpaste with various ingredients, such as lemon, salt, Listerine, peroxide, and so on, but again caution is the key. Sorbitol, for instance, is just used to flavor the paste. Glycerin renders the good feel on the tongue. And sodium lauryl sulfate is only meant to form a lather, so it has nothing to do with the skin. Fluoride, which prevents tooth cavities, is known to cause systemic poisoning when used excessively. Its content in toothpaste is rather small, but slathering it on your face can do more harm than good.

Coming to the bottom line, toothpaste does contain acne-fighting ingredients, but in very small quantities to prove effective. However, the adverse effects of other ingredients dwarf the potential benefits. It may be sensible to try toothpaste to get rid of a few annoying zits. It may or may not work. When it comes to long-term acne remedies, your kitchen cabinet holds a whole lot of ingredients that can set off a natural acne treatment. Consult a dermatologist or opt for one of the many over-the-shelf acne products that are really effective.