According to New York dermatologists, Dr. Rebecca Baxt and Dr. Neal Schultz toothpaste has a drying effect on pimples which can help reduce redness and inflammation, shortening the life cycle of a blemish.
What should you do? The rumor mill might have you believing that dabbing some regular old toothpaste on your zit will help it clear up overnight. But, while it's true that several ingredients found in toothpaste are drying to skin and might help shrink your pimple, this home remedy for breakouts isn't worth the risk.
For sensitive skin and small pimples, leave the toothpaste on for 5 to 10 minutes. For regular skin or large pimples, leave the toothpaste on for 30 to 60 minutes. Consider leaving the toothpaste on overnight. Keep in mind, however, that this may irritate your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Does putting toothpaste on a pimple make it go away? You may have heard this suggestion, but experts on acne say don't try it. Toothpaste could make that spot on your skin even more red, irritated, and noticeable.
'Many people use home remedies and try anything in their medicine cabinet to clear their face', Dr Baxt tells Huffington Post. 'Toothpaste will irritate the skin, and the pimple will probably eventually disappear along with the irritation, but toothpaste is in no way a primary treatment for acne.
Some people leave the toothpaste on overnight, but if you have sensitive skin this prolonged exposure could cause irritation. Be conservative in order to minimise the risks of damaging your skin. When you wash it off, use warm water and a gentle circular motion.
Well, that's a definite no no. "Toothpaste is alkaline and has flavoring in it," explains Dr. Prystowsky. "There is nothing therapeutic about it for the skin.
Acne is caused when tiny holes in the skin, known as hair follicles, become blocked. Sebaceous glands are tiny glands found near the surface of your skin. The glands are attached to hair follicles, which are small holes in your skin that an individual hair grows out of.
Toothpaste should not be used on the skin by any means. It does absolutely nothing to improve the health or appearance of your skin. If anything it might cause sensitivity, allergic reaction and irritation. Toothpaste is not formulated for the skin.
Toothpaste Irritates or Burns Skin
Here's the biggest reason to forgo the toothpaste on your pimple: besides being unlikely to really work, toothpaste will probably burn and irritate your skin—especially your face.
Adolescents and young adults between ages 12 and 24 tend to be the most affected group. It usually begins during the start of puberty, affecting girls earlier than boys. Typically people will outgrow acne but about 12 percent of women and 3 percent of men may still have acne even in their 40s.
Cold water can be especially beneficial for dry or acne-prone skin, says Knapp. “If you have chronically dry skin, hot water can strip your sebum levels (oils) and exacerbate the issue, so cold water is a good alternative.” Secondly, while hot water opens pores, cold water closes them.
Benefits. While ice alone may not cure a pimple, it can decrease swelling and redness, making the pimple less noticeable. Ice also has a numbing effect, which can offer temporary pain relief for severely inflamed pimples.
Petroleum jelly acts as a barrier and helps in reducing inflammation through excess moisturisation," she says in the video. This combo has an amazing effect on pesky zits and can help in reducing dryness caused by excessive usage of home remedies for acne.
While it is advised to consult with your doctor around dietary guidance and curating the proper beauty regimen, our experts share that salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and topical retinoids like adapalene are the most effective ingredients to treat and prevent acne.
People of all races and ages get acne, but it is most common in teens and young adults. When acne appears during the teenage years, it is more common in males. Acne can continue into adulthood, and when it does, it is more common in women.
Acne is very common. Almost everyone with have at least a few spots at some point in their lives but it is most common during the teenage years.