You know what a nightmare is—having to choose between your morning coffee and white teeth. Luckily, you’ll never have to make that decision when you have whitening toothpaste in your medicine cabinet.
Like whitening strips you may have used before, teeth whitening toothpaste is an inexpensive way to remove stains from everyday activities, like eating (hopefully soon), to achieve pearly whites, unless prohibiting daily use would be a hassle.
“Teeth whitening toothpaste is great for people with yellow teeth and mild discoloration from foods like coffee, tea, or wine,” says Shokofeh Tabaraie, DDS, PLLC, of Lakeside Dental Center.
To find the best teeth whitening toothpaste, we spoke to three dentists at Women’s Health magazine and two editors at Life-Brushing to find out about toothpaste efficacy, strength, and taste. So if you’re ready to have whiter teeth, grab your electric toothbrush and install the following dentist-recommended options.
Read on to learn about the best teeth-whitening toothpastes from brands like Colgate, Crest, and Opalescent, according to dentists and Women’s Health editors.
1. Colgate Optic White Pro Series Whitening Toothpaste: When it comes to teeth whitening, Colgate is the leader, says Bill Busch, DMD, MAGD, dentist for the Kansas City Chiefs and founder of TeamSmile.
“As someone who drinks one or two cups of coffee a day and the occasional red wine,” Busch says. “I battled tough stains on my teeth, and this toothpaste has been a game-changer. Most of my patients feel the same way.”
The toothpaste also has a pure mint flavor that can be easily incorporated into your brushing routine, he adds.
Rave reviews: “I’m a coffee drinker and have tried a lot of teeth-whitening toothpastes, and this is the first one that really works. My teeth aren’t blindingly white like movie stars, but they’re bright enough that I’ve noticed a difference.” ”
2. Crest 3D White Brilliance Paste: When it comes to teeth whitening toothpaste, Crest is another well-known brand, says Fatima Khan, co-founder of Riven Oral Care and dentist.
3D White Brilliance Paste contains fluoride to fight cavities and hydrogen peroxide to whiten. Not only does it brighten, it also leaves a long-lasting, 24-hour stain-proof protective film.
Enthusiastic review: “This toothpaste leaves your mouth feeling clean and fresh. It really whitens teeth. It takes about a week to see a difference, but you can really see it getting better with each use. I wouldn’t have done it in the future if it hadn’t been for this article.”
3. Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening Toothpaste If you’re looking for an option that’s gentle on your gums and teeth, Pronamel Whitening Toothpaste is a good choice, says Dr. Khan. It has an RDA of 37, which means it has minimal abrasion or significantly less abrasion than some of the other options on this list. The formula is designed to re-harden tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Enthusiastic review: “This brand of toothpaste has a pleasant taste and aroma, and seems to help desensitize teeth that are somewhat sensitive to pressure.”
4. Lumineux Teeth Whitening Toothpaste Lumineux Whitening Toothpaste uses a powerful blend of essential oils to remove stains instead of using chemicals like peroxide. Although she Khan points out that the toothpaste is also a good choice for people with sensitive teeth. It does not contain fluoride or hydroxyapatite, so it is not suitable for tooth remineralization (minerals return to teeth to strengthen enamel). Still, there are more than 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, and people say it works well for whitening. Enthusiastic review: “I was skeptical at first because nothing can help my teeth! But after just a few washes, you can see a noticeable difference! This is more on the natural side of toothpaste.”
5. Dr. Brite Mint Natural Whitening Toothpaste If you are looking for a more natural option, Dr. Brite Mint Natural Whitening Toothpaste is a more natural choice. “This toothpaste is free of harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and artificial flavors,” Busch says. However, it may not be as effective as other whitening toothpaste formulas. “Stain-removing properties (like activated charcoal and baking soda) can help reduce surface stains but won’t completely remove them,” Busch says. Enthusiastic review: “This product tastes really good, and I find that regular use does a great job. I also appreciate the clean ingredients. This toothpaste actually causes mild tooth sensitivity. My dentist reports that whitening toothpastes are more effective than non-whitening toothpastes. Abrasive. So if I had to choose between a whitening toothpaste with clean ingredients and a regular toothpaste, I’d go with Dr. How Our Team Chose the Best Whitening Toothpastes Over the past few months, Women’s Health editors, including Business Editor Jasmin Gomez, have been testing the best-selling and highest-rated whitening toothpastes. Our team sought the opinions of several experts (including three dentists), then looked through thousands of customer reviews and ratings to find the best teeth whitening toothpaste for every need and preference. What should I look for in the best teeth whitening toothpaste? First, make sure it has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. “When choosing a teeth whitening toothpaste, look for one with the ADA seal, as it has been tested for safety and effectiveness,” Khan says. ” Tabarai says you can also ask your dentist if you need advice. What supplies do they have in their practice? Next, you should look for ingredients like fluoride and hydroxyapatite. “Hydroxyapatite is another ingredient that helps remineralize teeth and remove external stains,” Khan says. “It restores mineral density and makes teeth appear whiter and more opaque.” Fluoride can help prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. However, these ingredients also have downsides, Khan says. “These ingredients can wear away tooth enamel, which can lead to sensitivity and, due to their abrasive nature, affect overall aesthetics,” Khan says. When you lose enamel, your teeth appear more yellow. To combat this, choose a toothpaste that is less abrasive or has a lower concentration of ingredients like peroxide.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
