The idea of using toothpaste to treat pimples has been a popular home remedy for years, often passed down as a quick fix for acne flare-ups. But does leaving toothpaste on a pimple overnight actually work to shrink it, or is this just another skincare myth? Let’s explore the science, effectiveness, and potential risks of this DIY treatment.
The Theory Why Leaving Toothpaste on a Pimple Overnight May Work
The belief that leaving toothpaste on a pimple overnight can heal it comes from certain ingredients in toothpaste that may temporarily affect acne. Common components include:
- Baking Soda and Alcohol: These drying agents can absorb excess oil from the pimple, potentially reducing its size when left on overnight.
- Menthol or Peppermint: These create a cooling effect, which may temporarily ease inflammation and make the pimple feel less irritated by morning.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: With mild antibacterial properties, this could theoretically target acne-causing bacteria like Cutibacterium acnes over several hours.
Why You Shouldn’t Leave Toothpaste on Overnight
Leaving toothpaste on a pimple overnight may seem like a quick fix, but it poses several risks due to its harsh ingredients and prolonged exposure:
- Skin Irritation: Ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), fluoride, and artificial flavors, designed for oral use, can irritate skin when left on overnight, causing redness, burning, or stinging, especially on sensitive skin.
- Excessive Dryness and Flaking: The drying agents in toothpaste can strip natural oils from the skin over several hours, leading to flaking or peeling around the pimple, which may worsen its appearance by morning.
- Allergic Reactions: Overnight exposure to menthol, fragrances, or other additives can trigger allergic reactions, resulting in contact dermatitis, rashes, or itching.
- Disruption of Skin Barrier: Leaving toothpaste on for hours can weaken the skin’s protective barrier, increasing sensitivity and slowing healing, potentially making acne worse.
- Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Overnight irritation from toothpaste may cause dark spots or hyperpigmentation after the pimple heals, which can be harder to treat.
- Ineffectiveness for Deeper Acne: Leaving toothpaste on overnight is unlikely to penetrate deep enough to treat cystic or hormonal acne, which forms below the skin’s surface, making it ineffective for these types.
How to Use Toothpaste on a Pimple If You Really Need To
If you’re in a pinch with no access to proper acne treatments and must use toothpaste, apply it carefully for a short time to minimize risks:
- Choose the Right Toothpaste: Select a plain, white, non-gel toothpaste without whitening agents, or strong flavors, as these are less likely to irritate the skin.
- Patch Test First: Apply a small amount to a less sensitive area (like the inner arm) for a few minutes to check for adverse reactions.
- Target Specific Spots: Use a clean fingertip or cotton swab to apply a tiny dab of toothpaste directly to the pimple, avoiding surrounding skin to prevent unnecessary irritation.
- Limit to a Few Minutes: Leave the toothpaste on for no more than 15–30 minutes. This short duration may provide some drying effect without prolonged exposure that increases irritation risks.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Wash off the toothpaste completely with lukewarm water, then apply a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer to restore the skin’s barrier.
- Avoid Frequent Use: Use this method only as a last resort, not a regular treatment, and avoid applying it to broken or highly inflamed skin.
Conclusion
Leaving toothpaste on a pimple overnight is risky and not recommended, as it can damage the skin by causing irritation, dryness, allergic reactions, or even scarring and hyperpigmentation. The harsh ingredients in toothpaste are not designed for prolonged skin contact, and the potential harm outweighs any temporary benefits. If you’re desperate and have no other options, you could try applying toothpaste for just 15–30 minutes to a specific spot, but this is also not ideal. Instead, opt for proven acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or hydrocolloid patches, which are formulated to target acne effectively and safely.
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