I’ll be honest, when I was a teenager, I thought toothpaste was the cure for everything. Got a pimple? Toothpaste. Burned my tongue? Toothpaste. Sore foot? Well… you get the idea. My friends and I would dab it on our faces before bed, convinced we’d wake up with magically clear skin. But now that I’ve grown up (and thankfully upgraded from teenage skincare experiments), I know the question still lingers: Can you really use toothpaste on pimples?
Where the Idea Comes From
The “toothpaste trick” has been around forever. It probably started because toothpaste contains ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, and menthol—things that can dry out a pimple. And yes, sometimes it does seem to shrink that angry spot overnight. That’s why the hack became so popular.
The Problem with Toothpaste on Skin
Here’s the catch: toothpaste was made for teeth, not skin. While it might dry out a pimple temporarily, it can also cause:
- Redness or irritation
- Dry, flaky patches
- Burning or stinging sensations
- Even more breakouts if your skin barrier gets damaged
So instead of solving the problem, you might end up with a bigger one (and trust me, nobody has time for that).
Better Alternatives for Pimples
Instead of reaching for the Colgate, try these safer and more effective options:
- Spot treatments with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid – designed to fight pimples without destroying your skin.
- Tea tree oil (diluted) – a natural antibacterial option.
- Ice cubes – to calm inflammation and redness.
- A gentle clay mask – helps absorb excess oil and unclog pores.
Final Thoughts
So, can you use toothpaste on pimples? Technically, yes. Should you? Probably not. It’s one of those old-school hacks that sounds clever but doesn’t hold up when you know better. These days, I’d rather stick to products that are actually made for skin. My teenage self might roll her eyes, but my adult self—and my face—are grateful for the upgrade.
