Acne and pimples are one of the most annoying yet common skin problems. They arrive before an important event and right when you don't expect it. Even after following a good skincare routine and eating healthy food, sometimes a pimple can come unannounced and surprise you. Of course, this is not the kind of surprise any girl wants, which is why you start looking for ways to get rid of acne overnight. You pick your phone and call your best friend or ask Google for quick and effective ways to get rid of that pimple. And amongst all the suggestions that show up, one of the most common and bizarre, is applying toothpaste on pimples. First things first, understand that you can't get rid of acne overnight. The skin's healing process doesn't work that way, however, a few ingredients can accelerate the healing process and reduce redness and inflammation. But applying toothpaste on pimples is definitely not one of them. It is one of the worst things you can apply on your skin after garlic and lemon. There are some really weird suggestions for getting rid of pimples overnight on the internet, don't try these as they can burn and irritate your skin and make the pimple worse. In this article, we will tell you why applying toothpaste on pimples does not work and what you should do instead.
01Skin irritation
Toothpaste does not work on pimples, no matter what your BFF or sister says. But it can surely leave your skin irritated and sometimes may even cause burns. Most toothpastes contain ingredients like baking soda, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium laureth sulfate, which, when combined together into a formula, is definitely not intended for your skin. Teeth are one of the toughest substances in the body, to clean them we use toothpaste. Now imagine applying the same product on your delicate facial skin. Along with dryness and skin irritation, it will also leave behind a dark spot that will take months to fade. So, what do you think is better: walking around for 2-3 days with a pimple or applying toothpaste on pimples?
02Triclosan
One of the reasons toothpaste on pimples became a popular home remedy is because of the presence of triclosan in it. The ingredient is antibacterial in nature and kills acne-causing bacteria. But triclosan is no longer used by toothpaste brands or even skincare brands, because it is linked to negatively affecting thyroid hormones. So, the whole point of applying toothpaste on pimples is pointless because of the absence of the bacteria killing ingredient. If you do happen to find one that does contain triclosan, do you think it's worth taking the risk? There are better and safer alternatives out there.
03Overdrying
There are many risks involved with using toothpaste on pimples, one of them is that it may cause overdrying. Ingredients like baking soda, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium laureth sulfate can leave the skin seriously dry, this can invite a lot of other issues. Applying skincare products with active ingredients may become impossible because toothpaste will leave your skin feeling extra sensitive. The overdrying of skin may even lead to more pimples. The skin may produce excess sebum to compensate for the dryness leading to more breakouts. Those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis should never try this home remedy for pimples.
04How to make pimples go away fast
If you have cystic acne or nodular acne, sadly, it won't go away soon. Topical application won't do much for your skin, an over-the-counter spot treatment may just reduce inflammation. However, if all you have is a zit, spot treatment or even a home remedy may work. Here are a few ways to get rid of pimples fast. Instead of applying toothpaste on pimples, you can use acne-specific products to get rid of pimples faster. Products that contain salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinoids. Many face washes, serums and masks contain these ingredients, they help reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria, thereby drying the skin around the pimple to accelerate healing. Follow a skincare routine for acne-prone skin if you have oily or acne-prone skin, this will balance the overproduction of sebum and keep acne under control. One of the most effective ways to get rid of pimples fast is by applying spot treatments. They are far better than applying toothpaste on pimples as these are formulated to specifically tackle pimples. Spot treatments work by killing the bacteria and reducing redness or inflammation, if any. It then aids your skin in healing the pimple quicker. These days, you also get pimple patches which are pasted directly on top of a pimple. Some women even wear them under makeup. The patch contains acne healing ingredients and works in similar ways as spot treatments to give you pimple-free, clear skin faster. There are many other safer home remedies for acne than applying toothpaste on pimples. These won't have any side effects on your skin, but will ensure the pimple goes away soon. Scroll down to see natural home remedies for acne.
1. Aloe vera for pimples
There are so many benefits of aloe vera for skin, one of them is treating acne. Antioxidant-rich aloe vera heals, soothes and fights bacteria to heal acne quickly. The glycol-proteins in aloe vera reduce swelling and inflammation and calm angry, red acne. It is considered to be one of the best overnight treatments for acne. Here's how to use it for best results. **How to: **Scoop out fresh aloe vera gel from within the leaves and keep it aside. Cleanse your skin thoroughly with a face wash and pat dry. Then take a little amount of gel and apply it to the affected areas. Leave it overnight and wash it off in the morning. Repeat this process for around a week and your pimple will be gone soon.
2. Tea tree oil for pimples
Tea tree oil is a popular spot treatment for acne, due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It's believed to calm redness, swelling, and inflammation and accelerate the healing process. Applying it twice a day will reduce redness and inflammation and definitely work better than applying toothpaste on pimples. However, this is a potent essential oil and should never be applied directly on the skin. Here's the right way to use it. How to: Take a few drops of tea tree oil and dilute it with honey, aloe vera or a carrier oil like almond or olive. Then apply directly on the pimple using a clean Q-tip and leave it on overnight, you can also apply it during the day and wash off after an hour. Make sure to cleanse your face before applying this natural spot treatment for acne.
3. Green tea for pimples
Rich in antioxidants, green tea works wonders for your health. But did you know topical application of green tea can also help treat acne? The catechins found in green tea do a great job at reducing skin inflammation. Applying green tea on acne is therefore recommended as an effective treatment. How-to: Steep a bag of green tea in water for a few minutes. Let it cool down, then add a few drops of lemon juice to it and store it in the fridge. Whenever you notice a pimple, simply soak a cotton pad in the mixture and place it on your pimple and allow it to dry. Repeating this a few times every day will heal acne fast.
