Should you put toothpaste on a pimple?

Perhaps you’ve heard the myth that putting toothpaste on a pimple can cause it to disappear virtually overnight and wondered if the key to a blemish-free complexion is right in your medicine cabinet. Is it actually effective for treating acne, or is it just another skincare myth? If it seems too good to be true, that’s because it actually is. 

According to our dermatology providers, using toothpaste as an acne spot treatment can cause dryness and irritation and might even worsen breakouts. So, if you’re wondering, “how long should I leave toothpaste on my pimple?”—don’t! Here’s the inside scoop on why you should skip it altogether and what you can use instead. 

Home remedies for acne

If you’re no stranger to DIY skincare remedies on social media, chances are, you’ve heard of at-home acne treatments like liquid chlorophyll, apple cider vinegar, honey, aloe vera, and—you guessed it—toothpaste. Toothpaste is arguably one of the most common home remedies out there, and we’re here to debunk it. 

Is toothpaste good for acne? 

Can toothpaste remove pimples? Nope! Our experts recommend using what’s in your tube for your teeth only. Proponents of this acne remedy claim that slathering a pimple in toothpaste before bed will help dry it out,¹ reducing redness and shortening its lifespan. As great as this sounds, there are a few reasons why toothpaste isn’t your skin’s BFF: 

• It may be too drying: Some of the ingredients in toothpaste may cause excessive dryness and do more harm than good.  

• It may clog your pores: Some of the ingredients in toothpaste may be comedogenic (pore-clogging), which can actually cause new breakouts. 

• It may cause irritation: Many kinds of toothpaste contain ingredients like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, menthol, and baking soda, all of which have the potential to irritate your skin.

Potentially harmful ingredients in toothpaste

Some of the ingredients found in toothpaste have the potential to harm instead of help your skin. As an acne hack, it’s said to work because of the drying ability of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and other ingredients that work wonders in your mouth—but not on your skin:²

• Alcohol (denatured alcohol): Applying denatured alcohol to your skin may cause reddening, irritation, and dryness.

• Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is a common whitening agent for teeth that may irritate your skin. 

• Baking soda: When used directly on the skin, baking soda may damage the skin’s barrier and disrupt the natural bacteria that work against infection and acne. It may strip your face, leaving it more prone to breakouts and irritation.

• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): A popular foaming agent in many toothpaste formulas, SLS may contribute to skin irritation, especially around your mouth. Studies show that it may cause irritant contact dermatitis.³

• Fluoride: Although there are some conflicting reports, the fluoride in some toothpastes may cause acne when used topically on the skin.⁴

Another toothpaste ingredient that was thought to potentially help breakouts is triclosan; acne bacteria may be affected by this ingredient.⁵ While triclosan is unlikely to cause skin irritation,⁶ it has recently been removed from many products due to questions surrounding its effectiveness and safety for use.⁷

Acne-fighting alternatives to toothpaste

The best ingredients for acne are proven. We recommend sticking to clinically backed ingredients to fight blemishes instead of trying out home remedies and unproven methods that may end up doing more harm than good. These over-the-counter ingredients may help banish your breakouts: 

Salicylic acid

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid, are a common topical acne treatment because they penetrate the pore lining to exfoliate both inside pores and the surface of the skin.⁸ Available in many over-the-counter skincare products, it may help reduce breakouts, including blackheads and whiteheads.⁹

Zinc pyrithione

You may know zinc pyrithione as a common ingredient for treating dandruff and dermatitis, but that’s not all—it may help treat acne, too. This antifungal ingredient’s antimicrobial properties¹⁰ may help fight bacteria, which is a common contributor to breakouts. 

Sulfur

When applied topically via washes, leave-on lotions, creams, and more, sulfur dries the skin and fights bacteria. Sulfur may also help treat conditions like rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis, and it’s particularly known for being tolerated by individuals with acne and sensitive skin.¹¹

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide effectively fights acne-causing bacteria and can be used alone for mild acne and in combination with other more powerful ingredients for moderate to severe acne.¹² It’s available in many over-the-counter forms, including creams, lotions, cleansers, gels, and solutions. If you’d like to incorporate this into your routine, you can try the Curology Acne Cleanser with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide. 

Good habits for healthy skin 

Keeping your skin healthy and happy is about more than your skincare products. There are several habits you can add to your everyday routine that will help minimize the potential for additional pimples and irritation to crop up. If you have a habit of touching your face (we do it, too!), this list is for you: 

• Keep your hands off: When possible, completely avoid touching your face. This reduces the amount of dirt and bacteria entering your pores from your hands. If you must touch, wash your hands thoroughly first. 

• Don’t pick or squeeze: As tempting as it is, don’t pop or squeeze your pimples. This has the potential to worsen your blemishes and can lead to infection and scarring. 

• Aim for a healthy lifestyle: A lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, minimal stress, and eight hours of sleep nightly will help keep your skin looking and feeling its best. 

Prevent acne with an effective skincare routine

Curology is a full-service skincare company offering products made with proven effective ingredients, including those that treat acne. Acne doesn’t happen overnight, and we believe that following a good skincare routine can help prevent and treat it. One of the most effective ways to deal with acne is to seek professional advice before making significant changes, as everyone’s skin is unique.

An easy way to get a skincare consultation is through Curology. Our licensed dermatology providers help take the guesswork out of your skincare routine by determining the products your skin needs and creating a personalized prescription formula to help you meet your skincare goals. Our personalized prescription formulas can include active ingredients like tretinoin, a topical vitamin A derivative used to treat acne and the signs of aging. 

Signing up is easy. Just answer a few questions and snap some selfies to help us get to know your skin better. If Curology is right for you, we’ll pair you with one of our in-house licensed dermatology providers, and they’ll get you started with a custom treatment option.*

P.S. We did the homework so you don’t have to:

1. Ashinoff, A. Does toothpaste help with acne?Hackensack Meridian Health. (2022).

2. Ashinoff, A. Does toothpaste help with acne?Hackensack Meridian Health. Ibid.

3. Branco, N.,et al. Long-term repetitive sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation of the skin: an in vivo study. Contact Dermatitis. (2005).

4. Epstein, E. Letter: Fluoride toothpastes as a cause of acne-like eruptions. Arch Dermatol. (1976).

5. Ashinoff, A. Does toothpaste help with acne?Hackensack Meridian Health.Ibid.

6. Triclosan. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017).

7. Ashinoff, A. Does toothpaste help with acne?Hackensack Meridian Health.Ibid.

8. Madan RK, Levitt J. A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations. J Am Acad Dermatol. (April 2014).

9. Zaenglein, A., et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. (2016).

10. Schwartz, J.R. Zinc Pyrithione: A Topical Antimicrobial With Complex Pharmaceutics. J Drugs Dermatol. (2016).

11. Keri J, Shiman M. An update on the management of acne vulgaris.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. (2009 June 17).

12. Zaenglein, A., et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. (2016).

Donna McIntyre is a board-certified nurse practitioner at Curology. She obtained her Master of Science in Nursing at MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA.

* Subject to consultation. Subscription is required. Results may vary. 

Written by

Curology Team

Medically reviewed by

Donna McIntyre, NP-BC