Applying toothpaste on a spot is an age-old trick that I’m sure many of us have tried in a bid to tackle unwanted blemishes. The idea is that as the toothpaste dries overnight, so does the spot. But does it really work? We’ve spoken to skincare expert and facialist, Kate Kerr to find out…
Is it a good idea to treat spots with toothpaste?
‘Toothpaste does contain anti-bacterial and drying agents that in theory would work on spots,’ says Kate, ‘but it is designed for enamel on the teeth, not your skin.’
‘The toothpaste formula is too drying and will ultimately upset the skin’s barrier,’ warns Kate. ‘This can in turn cause inflammation and post-inflammatory pigmentation, so should be avoided.’
What’s more, using toothpaste can actually exacerbate blemishes. ‘When you dry out the skin the skin reacts by overproducing oil to compensate,’ explains Kate, ‘and more oil can lead to more breakouts.’
What are the best ingredients and products to treat spots?
‘There are four key areas for keeping spots at bay; stimulating cell turnover, regulating oil flow, killing bacteria and calming inflammation,’ says Kate. Thankfully there are a whole host of ingredients and products that can do all the above.
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BHAS: Kate recommends introducing Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) such as salicylic acid into your skincare regime. 'They are brilliant as they increase cell turnover and exfoliate the skin’s surface and within the pore. They also have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.'
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Retinols: 'Vitamin A derivatives, retinols, are also key as they stimulate cell turnover,' says Kate. 'They are also an anti-ageing superstar and with acne being more common in our 30’s and even 40’s, we are looking for multi-active products to treat both acne and ageing simultaneously.'
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Hyaluronic Acid: 'Think about swapping standard moisturisers for hyaluronic acid, which won’t cause congestion,' recommends Kate. 'Products like the Teoxane Cosmeceuticals RHA Serum, £85, which contains a resilient hyaluronic acid are less heavy than traditional moisturisers and effectively hydrate skin.'
What are the best professional treatments to tackle spots?
'In terms of professional treatments, I always recommend having a facial once per skin cycle, so every 4-6 weeks,' says Kate. 'Those prone to acne or breakouts should book in around the time of ovulation, so mid-cycle, to prevent the outbreaks that occur before your period. Professional facials help to stimulate cell turnover and focus heavily on extracting comedones – remember, you can’t get spot if you don’t have a comedone first! They help create a clean slate for you to maintain at home.'
So step away from the toothpaste and follow Kate’s advice to banish the breakouts for good.
Shop the best products to combat spots here:
Best products to treat spots
1 of 7Dots for Spots® | The Original Acne Patch, £5.99
These clever hydrocolloid patches creates a moist environment and optimum conditions for your spot to heal. Plus - they're great at hiding any redness while you're out and about. Win win.
2 of 7Glossier Zit Stick, £12
Keep this handy stick in your handbag and apply it at the first sign of a spot - so, whenever that sore, swollen bump appears. Formulated with 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and tea-tree oil to calm the area - you'll notice the benefits in no time.
3 of 7Votary Blemish Rescue Oil - Tamanu and Salicylic, £35
It might sound counter intuitive to add more oil to oily skin but it can in fact help to balance the skin's mantle. This blemish oil calms irritated skin, helps to heal spots and will also treat scars.
![La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+], £17](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/lifestyle-images/galleries/580888efa0991aa448719c99/la-roche-posay-acne-spot-product.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
4 of 7La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo[+], £17
La Roche-Posay's anti-blemish cream is formulated to target oily, blemish-prone skin. It has become a cult product for beauty buffs who have raved about its magical ability to unclog pores, minimise imperfections and smooth skin.
5 of 7Tea Tree Night Lotion, £10 from The Body Shop Tea Tree Squeaky-Clean Scrub, £7 from The Body Shop
The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil range is proven to contain healing and antibacterial properties for every type of skin. The Body Shop claim that the range can create clearer skin in 3-days without over-stripping the skin. We love the Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub (with biodegradable micro-beads) and Tea Tree Night Lotion to combat shine and impurities day and night.
6 of 7Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, £13.50
This highly coveted skin elixir is not only surprisingly affordable but also promises to refresh and repair your complexion by clearing up and soothing whiteheads overnight. All Mario Badescu asks is that you dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment, dab on a pimple and wash off in the morning. Do not shake the bottle.
7 of 7Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, £38
Apply this serum onto your acne scars or discolouration after you've washed your face and before you moisturise, and overtime it will even your complexion.
READ MORE: Breakout Breakdown: What Is Actually Causing Your Spots?