No one can argue that blemishes are annoying and painful. That is why those who suffer from blemishes look for different remedies to remove them and to cure their complexion. There is plenty of DIY and homemade remedies for cleaning blemishes and clearing other pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads. One of the most common home remedies for clearing blemishes is toothpaste.
Many people use toothpaste as a spot treatment for blemishes because they believe it contains properties to dry them out and to remove pimples. Additionally, it contains antibacterial compounds as well as drying agents. However, even though that is true and that is the reason that toothpaste can remove pimples, there are risks associated with treating acne with toothpaste.
What Are The Risks Of Treating Acne With Toothpaste?
Before 2017, toothpaste used to contain an antibacterial ingredient known as triclosan, but the FDA banned it because it found that it can harm the thyroid. Additionally, it can cause you to become resistant to antibiotics. That is why since 2019, you could not find toothpaste with triclosan anymore. However, toothpaste does contain calcium carbonate, glycerin, SLS or sodium lauryl sulfate, sorbitol, and baking soda. When it comes to brushing your teeth, these ingredients are harmless as long as you spit them out.
However, at the same time, the ingredients in toothpaste are harsh on the skin as it can dry skin out and it can cause significant problems for those who have sensitive or dry skin. Here is the kicker. If you have very dry skin, drying it out, even more, will end up promoting more oil production which will end up causing more blemishes to appear. What does that even mean? It means that your toothpaste can end up causing you to develop pimples if you treat your skin with it and that defeats the purpose.
Even if the toothpaste that you use to treat blemishes does not end up causing you to have breakouts, you could end up with skin problems such as eczema. That is the last thing you will want or else you will be scratching your face all of the time after putting toothpaste on it. Therefore, you are not gaining anything by using toothpaste to treat blemishes. You are only worsening the situation with your acne. You can use toothpaste for other DIY things such as cleaning mirrors and glass. However, keep the toothpaste for brushing your teeth.
If you don’t want to use medication for treating acne, or if you find OTC acne treatments not helpful, then there are some home remedies that are good for treating acne.
What Home Remedies Can Treat Acne?
You can use aloe vera as it has anti-inflammatory properties as well as different minerals and amino acids for treating the skin around acne. Therefore, treatments containing aloe vera is good for your skin. You can also try tea tree oil to heal blemishes. It contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to help heal your skin. Additionally, it can soothe your skin if it is irritated. You will want to mix it with an oil that does not cause acne flare-ups to help neutralize it since tea tree oil is harsh on the skin. You can also use prebiotics and probiotics which will help neutralize the flora in your system which has a positive effect on your skin.
Acne and other blemishes are difficult to care for and it becomes frustrating when you try different treatments that don’t work. That is why many people like using toothpaste to treat acne. However, there are more harmful effects from toothpaste being an acne treatment. You are better off using prescribed or OTC medication and any recommended home remedy for acne.
