Toothpaste against pimples

Introduction

Pimples are a vice that can affect not only pubescent teenagers but also adults. A pimple is an inflamed, congested sebaceous gland. Dirt causes germs and bacteria to enter the sebaceous gland, whereupon the sebum can no longer drain away.

There are countless home remedies that promise to be successful in fighting pimples – toothpaste is also said to heal pimples quickly and make them disappear. Experience reports speak of a miracle effect. But what is true about it and how does the toothpaste work against blocked, inflamed sebaceous glands? Or can toothpaste perhaps even make the inflammation of a pimple worse?

Does the use of toothpaste make sense at all?

There are testimonials from users who have treated individual pimples with toothpaste and found positive effects. However, only the component of drying out by the toothpaste is beneficial for the healing of the pimple. The other ingredients are counterproductive and promote the spread of the inflammation.

For this reason, the use of toothpaste does not seem to be appropriate. Although a supposed improvement is initially visible due to the rapid drying, if the toothpaste is removed, the skin situation is even worse due to a more severe inflammation. Many ingredients in the toothpaste are not suitable for external use. Therefore, from a medical point of view, the use of toothpaste against pimples is not recommended.

How does the toothpaste work on the pimple?

The ingredients of the toothpaste work in different ways. First, the effect of the substance sodium dodecyl polysulfate occurs. The sodium dodecyl polysulfate has a strong fat-dissolving effect, which is why the pimple is dried out.

The toothpaste covers the pimple and the secretion is stopped by the drying process. Furthermore, toothpaste contains the ingredients sorbitol, menthol and fluoride, which are supposed to protect the hard tooth substance. These ingredients are not suitable for external application on the skin.

Therefore, when the toothpaste is applied, the skin may burn strongly. The substances are too aggressive for the skin and irritate it. They also have an inflammation-promoting effect.

The toothpaste, which becomes hard after a short time, forms a solid barrier. The pimple is thus sealed and cannot empty itself. The bacteria remain in the sebaceous gland and this cannot heal. The skin can therefore not breathe under the layer and the bacteria multiply more and more.