The toothpaste-on-a-spot trick has been around for generations. Here is what dermatologists say it really does to your skin, and what to use instead.

Quick look

1. Toothpaste can temporarily dry the surface of a spot, but it does not treat the blocked pore and inflammation underneath.
2. Ingredients such as menthol and sodium lauryl sulphate can irritate skin and may worsen inflammation, scarring and pigment changes.
3. Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid from the pharmacy are better supported options, and topical treatments usually need around 12 weeks.
4. Picking or squeezing spots increases the risk of permanent scarring, whatever else you put on them.
5. See a GP for lots of spots, deep or painful spots, scarring, signs of skin infection, or sudden acne in adult women.

A big night out is hours away and a spot has appeared at the worst possible moment. Somewhere between the panic and the bathroom cabinet, the old advice kicks in: dab on some toothpaste and it will be gone by morning. The trick has been passed down for generations, and it even has a kernel of logic behind it. Here is what dermatologists and NHS guidance actually say, plus what to reach for instead.

Where the Toothpaste Trick Came From

The hack spread because it is cheap, it is already in everyone’s bathroom and it gets shared by word of mouth, not because anyone tested it properly. There is a plausible-sounding reason behind it, though. Some toothpastes contain baking soda, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, ingredients known to be drying, and the menthol in toothpaste creates a tingly feeling that can temporarily reduce pain and swelling. Older formulas also contained triclosan, an antibacterial that could kill the bacteria involved in breakouts. Most companies have stopped using it, and some testing has suggested it could affect thyroid hormones, so hunting down a tube that still contains it is not a good plan. The idea is not completely mad. The problem is everything else in the tube.

Myth: Drying a Spot Is the Same as Treating It

A spot forms when an oil gland under the skin gets blocked and swells up, the result of clogged pores, extra sebum and shifts in the bacteria that live naturally on the skin. Drying the surface can make a spot look flatter for a short while, which is exactly why the trick seems to work. But the breakout underneath is driven by oil, the follicle, bacteria and inflammation, and none of that has been treated. Wash the toothpaste off and the spot is still there, along with whatever irritation the experiment added.

Fact: Toothpaste Is Made for Enamel, Not for Skin

Toothpaste is formulated for hard teeth, not the sensitive surface of your face. Healthy skin has a naturally acidic pH, while toothpaste is basic, and that mismatch can irritate even skin with no spots on it. A consultant dermatologist quoted on this exact question points out that while one or two ingredients may dry the skin slightly, others, such as menthol and sodium lauryl sulphate, are strongly irritating, and putting them on a breakout can add fuel to the inflammation and raise the risk of scars and lingering dark marks. Denatured alcohol can cause reddening and dryness, and baking soda used directly on skin may damage the skin barrier. There is a telling detail in NHS advice on mouth ulcers, which tells people to avoid toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate because it irritates the mouth. If it is harsh on the inside of your mouth, it is not a gentle option for a red, inflamed spot. Some toothpaste ingredients may also be comedogenic, meaning they can clog pores and cause new breakouts, and skin that becomes too dry can respond by producing more acne.

Myth: Spots Mean Your Skin Is Dirty

Blocked pores have nothing to do with dirt or grime. They happen because of changes in the skin cells themselves, driven by rising hormone levels, which is why spots are so common in the teenage years and early adulthood. Acne is not contagious, poor hygiene has not been shown to cause it, and it runs in families, so if your parents had acne you are more likely to get it too. That also means scrubbing harder is not the answer. Washing your face too much can irritate skin and aggravate acne, and the NHS is blunt about not scrubbing, because it can make acne worse. The same goes for old ideas about steaming and squeezing; blocked pores are where spots start, but as we explain in our piece on whether pores really open and close, they do not work like little doors you can flush clean.

Fact: What Actually Helps a Single Spot

The first step costs nothing: leave it alone. Picking or squeezing increases the risk of scarring, which is precisely the outcome you are trying to avoid. Then, if a spot has already arrived, the options dermatologists suggest are fairly boring:

• Hold a warm cloth against the area.
• Try a hydrocolloid patch, which can shrink the spot itself and calm some of the redness and swelling around it.
• Use an over-the-counter treatment such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid; a pharmacist can recommend one, and azelaic acid is another option they may suggest.

The honest catch is timing. Topical acne treatments usually need to be used for around 12 weeks to deliver their best anti-inflammatory effects, so there is no genuine overnight fix, whatever the bathroom cabinet promises.

Fact: Cheap Habits With Real Evidence Behind Them

Prevention beats a spot treatment, and the habits that help cost little. Cleanse your face gently twice a day using lukewarm water and a mild wash, and skip harsh exfoliation entirely. Choose makeup labelled non-comedogenic, meaning it is designed not to block pores, and avoid sharing makeup and brushes, which can spread the bacteria involved in breakouts; our guide to cleaning makeup brushes and sponges covers how often to do it. If you wear makeup over a breakout, a light touch from a five-minute everyday routine is kinder to angry skin than heavy layers of concealer. And if you get spots on your body, loose, breathable clothing helps, especially when exercising or sweating.

Myth: You Just Have to Ride It Out

For most people, breakouts have largely faded by their early twenties, although the more serious kind can hang around well beyond that. A smaller group still deals with acne in their thirties and forties, and that stubborn sort often runs in families. Waiting is not the only plan. Most scarring can be prevented when the right treatment is started early enough, and there are pharmacy options as well as stronger treatments a GP can offer. Acne affects more than skin, too. The NHS notes it can cause anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, so feeling low about your skin is a genuine reason to ask for help, not an overreaction.

Fact: When a Spot Is More Than a Spot

Book a GP appointment when breakouts are numerous, or when individual spots are large, sore or leaving scars behind. A skin infection is another reason to get help; the affected skin may feel hot and tender and look swollen and inflamed, although on brown and black skin that redness can be difficult to spot. Nodules and cysts, the large lumps that build up under the skin, carry the highest risk of permanent scarring and are worth getting checked early. When acne appears out of nowhere in women well past their teens, it can point to a hormonal problem, particularly alongside hair growing on the face or body where it did not before, or periods that turn irregular or unusually light. The most common cause of that kind of imbalance is polycystic ovary syndrome. None of these are problems toothpaste can fix, but they are all things a proper consultation can.

Little trick: Tonight’s plan for that spot: warm cloth, a hydrocolloid patch if you have one, hands off, and a pharmacy treatment tomorrow. The toothpaste goes back to doing the job it was made for.

Ask away

Can toothpaste get rid of a spot overnight?

It may dry the surface of the spot a little and make it look flatter, but it does not treat the breakout itself. Dermatologists do not recommend it, because the irritation it causes can outweigh any temporary benefit.

What can I put on a spot instead of toothpaste?

A warm cloth on the area, a hydrocolloid patch, or an over-the-counter treatment such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or azelaic acid. A pharmacist can help you choose something that suits your skin.

Why does toothpaste irritate skin?

Healthy skin has a naturally acidic pH, while toothpaste is basic, and ingredients such as menthol, alcohol and sodium lauryl sulphate can sting, redden and dry the skin. Some ingredients may also clog pores and trigger new breakouts.

When should I see a doctor about spots?

Make a GP appointment if you are getting lots of spots, if individual spots are large, painful or leaving scars, or if the surrounding skin turns hot, puffy and inflamed, which can suggest infection. Sudden breakouts in adult women are also worth mentioning to a doctor, as they can point to a hormonal imbalance.