The rumor mill might have you believing that dabbing some regular old toothpaste on your zit will help it clear up overnight. But, while it's true that several ingredients found in toothpaste are drying to skin and might help shrink your pimple, this home remedy for breakouts isn't worth the risk.

Why is toothpaste good for pimples?

According to New York dermatologists, Dr. Rebecca Baxt and Dr. Neal Schultz toothpaste has a drying effect on pimples which can help reduce redness and inflammation, shortening the life cycle of a blemish.

How do you dry up a pimple fast?

The best way to make a zit go away fast is to apply a dab of benzoyl peroxide, which you can buy at a drug store in cream, gel or patch form, says Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. It works by killing bacteria that clogs pores and causes inflammation. You can buy it in concentrations ranging from 2.5% to 10%.