Acne during adolescence can be quite bothersome, and many young people have tried using toothpaste to tackle their pesky pimples. However, doctors say that this method is not only unhelpful but may actually make acne worse! We’ll explain the reasons behind this.
Using toothpaste as a seemingly economical method to treat acne doesn’t actually have much effect. On the contrary, it may cause the skin to become dry, leading to inflammation and even more acne breakouts, as well as potentially causing bacterial infections.
Toothpaste contains hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, which in theory could help dry out pimples. However, these ingredients can be too harsh for facial skin, causing it to become dry. Additionally, toothpaste usually contains a mint flavor, which comes from menthol. Menthol is a type of alcohol that can irritate the skin, causing itchiness and inflammation.
When brushing your teeth, if the toothbrush is placed too close to the toothpaste tube, bacteria from the brush may contaminate the toothpaste. As a result, applying toothpaste to the face to treat acne could increase the risk of bacterial infections.
So, if not toothpaste, how should we treat acne? We recommend using specialized acne treatment products such as retinoid creams, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid.