Selena Gomez's toothpaste pimple hack means dabbing toothpaste on active breakouts, and acne-prone readers should skip it. Dermatologists warn it can irritate skin and make acne worse. Gomez described it as a leftover trick from her teen Disney years, saying it just works for her. The List reports her comment came while she dabbed concealer on breakouts in an October 2021 beauty video her Disney-years beauty habit.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- What Did Gomez Actually Do?
- Why Does Toothpaste Seem to Work?
- Why Do Dermatologists Warn Against It?
- What Should You Use Instead?
What Did Gomez Actually Do?
She applied a small dab of toothpaste directly to a pimple, then covered the area with concealer. A spot treatment is a product placed only on the pimple itself, not all over the face.
Consumer Reports notes Gomez is not alone, with Gigi Hadid and Amanda Seyfried also linked to the trick. That same report warns using toothpaste in a pinch causes more trouble than it is worth.
Why Does Toothpaste Seem to Work?
Toothpaste contains alcohol, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and menthol. Those ingredients can feel drying, cooling, or tightening on a swollen spot.
Yale dermatologist Mona Gohara explains that drying effect risks damaging the skin barrier. Once the barrier is harmed, skin can produce excess oil, clog pores, and form blackheads and more breakouts.
Why Do Dermatologists Warn Against It?
The American Academy of Dermatology warns those same ingredients can clog pores and irritate skin, making acne worse dermatologist breakdown of toothpaste ingredients. Board-certified dermatologist Maryanne Mikhael says she does not recommend it because irritation can leave red or dark marks. Risk is higher for acne-prone readers, especially with whitening agents and fluoride.
Board-certified dermatologist Jacqueline Watchmaker says evidence for toothpaste on acne is minimal and anecdotal. Everyday toothpaste is made for teeth, not inflamed skin. A brief dry feeling does not mean the clogged pore is clearing.
What Should You Use Instead?
Use a product made to clear pores and calm inflammation. The American Academy of Dermatology's 2024 acne guidelines strongly recommend benzoyl peroxide to reduce acne bacteria and retinoids such as adapalene and tretinoin to clear pores updated acne treatment guidance. For a new painful spot, try this approach:.
- wash hands and cleanse gently, then pat skin dry
- apply a thin layer of benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid only to the pimple
- leave the spot alone and avoid picking, squeezing, or adding toothpaste
- see a dermatologist if breakouts persist, spread, scar, or hurt