How to Treat Acne with Toothpaste

Kem đánh răng có thể trị mụn trứng cá một cách nhanh chóng, nhưng một số biện pháp trị mụn khác có thể hiệu quả hơn. Trước khi dùng kem đánh răng, hãy thử:

Phương pháp trị mụn khác	Độ hiệu quả	Vấn đề có thể xảy ra
Kem trị mụn trứng cá	Sẽ đạt được kết quả lâu dài sau 2-3 tuần.	Tương đối đắt; cần bôi hằng ngày.
Hydrogen peroxide	Dễ dàng, an toàn, và thường là có hiệu quả sau 2-3 ngày.	Có thể gây kích ứng da khi thực hiện nhiều lần.
Tắm muối biển	Hoàn toàn tự nhiên; giúp mụn biến mất không để lại sẹo	Cần đeo khẩu trang, có thể không trực tiếp loại bỏ mụn.
Muối nở	Điều tiết độ pH trên da và giúp lấy đi dầu thừa.	Hiệu quả đối với da khỏe mạnh và điều trị trứng cá, không trị loại mụn cụ thể nào.
Dầu cây trà	Hoàn toàn tự nhiên; hỗ trợ da khô và viêm nhiễm. Có thể dùng theo nhiều cách.	Chưa được thử nghiệm lâm sàng; có thể tốn kém.
Aspirin	Giảm sưng tấy và làm mụn mờ và nhỏ đi.	Cần phải nghiền nhỏ aspirin và bôi trong ít nhất 15 phút.
Vỏ chuối	Bảo vệ và trị mụn một cách tự nhiên, giảm viêm nhiễm bằng Vitamin A.	Chưa được thử nghiệm lâm sàng; phải sử dụng vỏ chuối tươi.
Làm sạch bằng hơi nóng	Hơi nóng và độ ẩm làm thông thoáng lỗ chân lông, dễ dàng loại bỏ các chất kích ứng và mủ.	Làm mụn nhỏ lại mà không gây tổn thương da, không hoàn toàn loại bỏ hết mụn.
Lấy mụn	Ngay lập tức loại bỏ mụn, hiệu quả tốt với xông hơi và tắm muối.	Có thể để lại sẹo nếu thực hiện không đúng cách.
Ẩn/Che mụn	Dễ dàng, nhanh chóng, và không để lại sẹo.	Không thực sự loại bỏ được mụn hay làm cho da khỏe mạnh.

Select white toothpaste. When choosing toothpaste for acne treatment, opt for plain white toothpaste, avoiding those with colored stripes in red, blue, or green. The white portion of the toothpaste contains drying ingredients like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and triclosan, while the colored parts may include ingredients that could irritate your skin.

Avoid whitening toothpaste. Whitening toothpastes contain bleaching agents (to make teeth whiter) that can burn or irritate the skin, causing itching. This is especially true for people with darker skin, as the excess melanin in their skin causes it to react more strongly, leading to scarring and more acne. Lighter-skinned individuals may be less affected, but it’s still best to avoid whitening toothpaste.

Do not use gel toothpaste. Gel toothpaste has a different formula from regular toothpaste and may lack the essential active ingredients needed to effectively dry out acne. It's better not to use them, as they won’t benefit your skin.

Choose toothpaste with low fluoride content. Over 95% of toothpaste in the U.S. contains fluoride, which helps remove plaque and prevent gum disease. However, some people may have mild allergic reactions to fluoride, which can cause skin inflammation (rash) upon contact. For this reason, it’s best to find a toothpaste with the lowest fluoride content possible (or fluoride-free) to minimize skin irritation.

Choose organic toothpaste. Organic toothpaste is likely your best choice for acne treatment. It contains no fluoride (except naturally occurring fluoride) and is free from growth hormones, pesticides, and other chemicals. However, it still includes essential ingredients like baking soda and tea tree oil, along with natural antibacterial and soothing agents such as aloe vera, resins, and eucalyptus oil.

Wash your face. As with any topical treatment, it's essential to apply toothpaste on clean, dry skin. Dirt or excess oil on your skin can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment. Wash your face with warm water and facial cleanser, then pat dry.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste to your finger. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto your index finger or the back of your hand. A pea-sized amount is enough, depending on the number of pimples you need to treat.

Apply a small amount directly to the pimple. You only need to apply a small amount of toothpaste directly onto the pimple's head. Make sure you apply it directly onto the pimple, not the surrounding skin.

• Never spread toothpaste over your entire face like a mask. Toothpaste dries out the skin, which can cause redness, itching, and peeling in areas other than the pimple.

Leave it on for two hours or overnight. For best results, allow the toothpaste to dry on your skin for two hours or overnight. However, if you have extremely sensitive skin, it’s best to wash the toothpaste off after 15 minutes to half an hour to gauge your skin’s reaction. If there’s no reaction, you can gradually increase the time.

• Some people suggest placing a bandage over the pimple to keep the toothpaste in place. However, this is not recommended as it can cause the toothpaste to spread onto surrounding skin, leading to irritation, and it also prevents your skin from breathing.

Gently wipe clean. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe off the toothpaste, moving in small circular motions. Be sure to wipe softly, as excessive rubbing could irritate or damage the skin. After removing the toothpaste, splash warm water on your face and pat dry with your hands or a soft towel. If your skin feels dry or tight, you may apply a soothing moisturizer.

Limit to no more than four times a week. As mentioned earlier, toothpaste can cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. Therefore, this should not be a method you use frequently throughout the day, or more than four times a week. After using it daily for 2-3 consecutive days, you may notice significant improvement in the size and color of the pimples. Afterward, allow the acne to heal naturally.

Toothpaste is not a dermatologist-recommended acne treatment. While toothpaste is commonly used at home to treat acne, very few dermatologists actually recommend it as a treatment. This is because toothpaste can dry out the skin, cause redness, irritation, and even burns.

• Regular toothpaste doesn't contain antibacterial ingredients like over-the-counter acne treatments do.
• For this reason, toothpaste should only be used as an emergency remedy for breakouts, and you should stop immediately if your skin reacts negatively. There are plenty of other at-home treatments that are safer and more effective alternatives to toothpaste.

Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is an excellent topical acne treatment that works against blackheads, whiteheads, and cystic acne. It works by killing bacteria in the pores, preventing acne from forming in the first place. Although effective, benzoyl peroxide can cause dry skin and peeling, so it should only be used occasionally. Benzoyl peroxide is available at pharmacies in forms such as creams, lotions, gels, patches, and facial washes.

Salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is another effective over-the-counter acne treatment. It works by reducing inflammation and redness while exfoliating the skin. Unlike most acne treatments, salicylic acid actually soothes the skin, making it a great choice for sensitive skin types. Salicylic acid comes in various concentrations and forms, so be sure to consult a pharmacist or dermatologist to determine the best option for you.

Sulfur. For individuals with sensitive skin, sulfur is a highly effective acne treatment. Though it is gentle, it helps dry out pimples. Sulfur draws oil out of clogged pores and regulates sebum production. The only downside is that pure sulfur has a strong rotten egg smell, so you may need to use it in combination with another product to mask the odor.

Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural remedy with a pleasant scent that helps treat acne. It acts as an effective antiseptic, reducing the size of existing pimples and preventing new ones from forming. Being an essential oil, it is especially suitable for those with dry skin. Tea tree oil should be applied directly to the acne spots.

Aspirin. Aspirin, scientifically known as acetylsalicylic acid, is closely related to the salicylic acid mentioned earlier. Aspirin is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that reduces the size and redness of pimples. You can crush one or two aspirin tablets and mix them with a little water to form a thick paste, then apply directly to the acne, or dissolve 5-8 tablets in a few drops of water to create a face mask. Applying aspirin will reduce redness and brighten the skin.

Baking soda. Baking soda is one of the best and safest at-home remedies for acne. It has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, as well as exfoliating effects. Simply mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a bit of water to form a thick paste. Apply the mixture directly to each pimple for treatment, or spread it over your entire face as a mask.

Visit a dermatologist. Finding an effective acne treatment can take a lot of effort, and if you continue to struggle with breakouts, it's time to consider seeing a doctor. A dermatologist can offer valuable advice and prescribe more effective medications, both oral and topical. Clearing up acne for good will boost your confidence and allow you to feel proud of your skin!

• Avoid touching your face. Picking or squeezing pimples can cause infections and prolong healing.
• For the best results, leave the treatment on overnight and rinse with warm water in the morning.
• Test products on a small patch of skin before applying them to your pimples.
• Use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect pimples, especially if you've squeezed or irritated them.
• Some people find this method rarely works. Use it as a last resort.
• Hydrogen peroxide acts as a bleaching agent, so avoid using it too much to prevent skin lightening.
• If you feel uncertain about using any of these methods, consider using makeup (concealer, foundation, and powder) to hide the pimples.

• If your skin reacts to toothpaste, stop using it immediately, as excessive use can cause burns.