We can barely think of any skin blunders that are more inconvenient than a sudden pimple. Seriously, they always seem to pop up before an important day or big event and then we're made to rush to deal with them. In times of desperation we can turn to remedies that aren't necessarily the smartest choices. One common pimple buster that people love to reach for is toothpaste, but the truth is that it can do more damage than good. Sure, toothpaste contains ingredients such as peroxide, alcohol and baking soda which can dry out a pimple but that's not all it does. At the end of the day, toothpaste is made for your teeth not your face. Your teeth are much less sensitive than the skin on your face, let alone skin that is inflamed by a zit. Other ingredients found in toothpaste such as menthol and fluoride can only make irritation worse. Although it's a trick that's been passed on for many generations, it's one that should definitely be debunked. Instead of reaching for the nearest bottle of toothpaste, try the following instead.
Cold Compress
The easiest way to soothe inflammation is to put some cold compress right on the site. Whether it's some ice or a cooling mask, try this for a few minutes a day in order to help the swelling go down.
Treatment
Try using a topical acne-fighting treatment, such as salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. You can even find these ingredients at the drugstore so you don't have to break the bank. A formula that can be used overnight is great for fighting acne even faster.
Conceal
Lastly, don't forget to conceal the spot if it isn't fully healed by the time you need to be. A little bit of concealer can go a long way and hide the redness or site of the bump to begin with. However be sure not to cake it on and make it too obvious.
