So, this might not be the first time you hear that toothpaste is used to treat acne.

This is one of the home remedies paraded on the internet for treating acne. Even though there is absolutely no scientific backing to this at all, some women go for it as a remedy.

The truth is, it actually works for some women. They apply it and it helps to clear the acne. It contains drying agents and anti-bacterial compounds that help to fight against acne.

But the sad part is that toothpaste can do more harm to your skin than good. It is not worth the risk and damage it can cause to your skin.

Why does toothpaste work for some people

There are two main reasons why it might seem that toothpaste works for some people:

1. Many kinds of toothpaste contain a chemical called triclosan, that could work to kill the bacteria that causes acne
2. Toothpaste contains ingredients like glycerin and sorbitol (alcohol-based compounds), and hydrogen peroxide which are known to be drying.

Reasons why you should not use toothpaste on your skin

1. It irritates the skin

Yes, there are drying ingredients in toothpaste that can help shrink pimples.

For those whose acne is caused by excess oil production, and an alcohol-based product like toothpaste can help to reduce the appearance of acne on the skin.

This doesn’t mean you should use it though. Why?

If you have had success with using toothpaste with acne, I have a question for you. How was your skin three to four days afterward? Probably worse.

This is not surprising because these alcohol-based ingredients can greatly irritate your skin. It is worse for those who have sensitive or dry skin.

Imagine applying alcohol-based products on dry skin. That is you basically calling for trouble.

You might experience itching and burning sensation. And the worse part is, because of this irritation, the acne comes back a few days after with your skin looking worse than it used to be.

2. It makes your skin extremely dry

The truth is toothpaste contains alcohol-based ingredients in very concentrated quantities which might be too much for your skin.

So, your skin becomes overly dry which is more bad news for your skin.

Extremely dry skin can make the oil-producing glands in your skin go on overdrive. So, the production of sebum (oil) in your skin becomes highly increased which leads to acne.

So, at the end of the day, you are back to having acne on your skin.

3. It can lead to scars on your skin

This happens when the skin is greatly irritated. Irritated skin, especially with sensitive skin, can lead to a number of skin problems more intense than they might usually occur.

It can lead to huge, painful pimples that leave scars after you are done treating them.

Also, the burning and stinging sensation from the toothpaste while drying off acne on your skin can cause scars to replace the acne.

4. Toothpaste is made for the teeth

I think this reason alone should keep you from trying out toothpaste on your skin.

There is a reason the manufacturers made it for the teeth and not for the skin. If it could be used for the skin, they would have indicated that it could also be used for skin.

There are a million and one skincare products out there. Stick to them!

Other skin care remedies you can use instead of toothpaste

The next time you feel the urge to use toothpaste on your skin, use any of these instead.

1. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is not just great for your skin but for your whole well-being.

Aloe vera leaf houses a lot of minerals, amino acids, and vitamins. All these help to reduce skin irritation and inflammation, promote wound healing and prevent skin infections.

It also contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which help it fights against skin blemishes.

2. Tea tree oil

The compounds contained in tea tree oil have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe irritated skin and kill acne-causing bacteria.

It helps to relieve skin itching and treat skin scaling, peeling, and dryness by providing your skin with the moisture it needs to stay healthy.

Apart from his acne-treating properties, it also keeps your skin moisturized all day long.

3. Honey

Honey is one of the very important natural skincare remedies.

It can be used to fight acne-causing bacteria, reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process of skin wounds. It also helps keep the skin moisturized.

You can use honey alongside other natural remedies like lemon, cucumber, green tea, coconut oil, etc.

4. Green tea

Green tea is also an effective remedy for treating acne. It is good for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

It also helps with irritated skin. It reduces redness, itching, and pain that might occur when your skin is irritated.

The best part is that you can either apply on your skin or drink it as a beverage. You can also mix green tea with honey.

Bottom line…

Toothpaste is never a good choice for your skin.

It does not matter how many people say it has worked for them. The problems it will eventually cause for your skin is not worth the risk at all.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will answer as soon as I can.