What can you do about acne on your own?

Think back to the three basic causes of acne and you can understand why the focus of both home treatment and prescription therapy is to (1) unclog pores, (2) kill bacteria, and (3) minimize oil. But first a word about...

Lifestyle: Moderation and regularity are good things, but not everyone can sleep eight hours, eat three good meals, and drink eight glasses of water a day. You can, however, still control your acne even if your routine is frantic and unpredictable. Probably the most useful lifestyle changes you can make are to apply hot compresses to pustules and cysts, to get facials (see below), and never to pick or squeeze pimples. Playing with or popping pimples, no matter how careful and clean you are, nearly always makes bumps stay redder and bumpier longer. People often refer to redness as "scarring," but fortunately it usually isn't in the permanent sense. It's just a mark that takes months to fade if left entirely alone.

Toothpaste on Pimples?

Everyone knows what toothpaste is since we used it everyday when we brush our teeth.  However, these past few years, toothpaste is known and used in another way.  Some people utilized toothpaste as spot treatment for their pimples.  As a result, questions had risen whether it is safe to use on your skin, and is it good to put toothpaste on pimples.  Furthermore, never ending testimonies and debates among users who think that it is effective, while the opposing side believe that it actually makes the pimple look worse.



Before we place our bets on either side, let us know the composition of toothpaste and how it works on our pimples.
Most toothpaste available in the market contains Triclosan, which has antibacterial property that can be found in soap, body wash and deodorant.  In addition, it works because it kills bacteria and germs that cause pimples.  Basically, toothpaste dries out and dehydrates the pimple.  That is why, when applied on the pimple for several hours, the size of swelling is reduce.  However, it is not advisable to use for long term treatment of acne.  It is just a quick fix.
One of the reasons why some people opt for this acne cure is because toothpaste is cheap and very accessible.  It is said that white paste type is effective compared to gel or blue type paste.  In spite the fact that it was never medically proven. Also, chose a non-fluoride or less fluoride paste content, because fluoride tends to irritate the skin.
On the other corner, many people argue that toothpaste actually aggravates the situation.  Based on one of toothpaste’s active ingredient which is menthol, it can cause skin irritation that can lead to redness, itchiness and inflammation.  It is not recommended for individuals with sensitive skin.  Further, some people may be allergic to fluoride when applied on the skin.
Whichever side you are on, whether toothpaste is good to put on pimples or not, it may depend on what causes the pimple.  For instance, if the zit is due to bacteria, chances are, toothpaste is effective treatment.  But, if the acne is cause by excess production of oil, hormonal changes or dead skin, then, toothpaste will not work.  You need to find another treatment to clear your pimples. Skin products that you should try on are those that contain Salicylic acid and Benzoyl peroxide.  These ingredients are known to kill bacteria-causing pimple.  Not only that, Salicylic also promotes cell turn over that leads to new skin cells to resurface