As a general rule, it's always best to apply Salicylic acid after a shower to avoid accidentally washing any of it off with water or steam.
Though mild, it should still be used only once a day. You can use it in your day or night skincare regimen, but it's better if used in a PM regimen. This is because salicylic acid is an exfoliator that helps clear pores and removes dead skin cells layer from the skin.
Be cautious if you have dry skin: Salicylic acid can be drying, so if you have dry skin, it's best to use a gentle, hydrating face wash in conjunction with the salicylic acid face wash. Consider other treatments: While salicylic acid can be effective, it may not work for everyone.
It is great to use as leave on spot treatment. But avoid using it as leave on for full face as it can be damaging to skin barrier. If you want to use is on full face, use is as a mask instead.
Applying salicylic acid to dry skin is the most recommended method by skincare experts. When applied to a clean, dry face, salicylic acid can penetrate effectively without interference from water, which might dilute its strength.
Also, do not use this medicine if you are a diabetic or if you have poor blood circulation. Do not use this medicine on warts with hair growing from them or on warts on the face, in or on the genital (sex) organs, or inside the nose or mouth. Also do not use on moles or birthmarks. To do so may cause severe irritation.
If you have started using a salicylic acid formula you may find the skin can feel tight, uncomfortable, and dry. You may have to go to the extent of pulling funny faces as the need to stretch the skin is overwhelming. This is the most common sign your skin is overexposed to acids.
Skin purging is an informal term for a temporary increase in acne that some people observe when they begin using a new skin care product. Due to a lack of research on the topic, it is unclear if this is a common side effect or why it occurs.
Can I use salicylic acid face wash every day? Yes, as long as the formula you're using isn't so potent that it becomes overly dry or irritated. Pairing cleansing products with high-quality moisturizers is typically the safest approach to keeping your skin balanced.
Salicylic acid can be drying to the skin, so it's important to moisturize your skin after using it. Look for a moisturizer that is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and free of fragrances and other irritants. Moisturizing after using salicylic acid can help to soothe the skin and prevent dryness and irritation.
Can I leave salicylic acid overnight? Yes, you can, but only once you have built the skin's tolerance. For those with a skin type that is oily and prone to acne and breakouts, salicylic acid is the best ingredient to use to combat any concerns.
1 Known as "skin purging," worsening acne is a short-term reaction to ingredients that speed up cell turnover. Salicylic acid helps your body quickly get rid of dead skin cells. As a result, those dead skin cells, dirt, and oils appear on the surface of your skin, which clogs your pores and causes acne.
Leave on for 5 minutes to begin. You may increase up to 15 minutes if you experience no irritation. To neutralise the acid (to stop it working) rinse well with plenty of lukewarm water (not hot).
When purging your skin, you'll typically see blackheads and small, flesh-coloured bumps rather than inflamed pustules, nodules or deeper cysts. But this is not an absolute rule. Overall, acne caused by skin purging often tends to appear and then disappear much faster than classic breakouts.
"When you get it from a medicine, it tends to all look the same. It's all little, red papules or it's all little pustules, and they're kind of all the same shape and size. That's the giveaway that it could be medicine-related." Acneiform drug eruptions can happen in someone with no history of true acne, Garner says.
As with most ingredients, salicylic acid is found in a number of different products, so you can find the formula that best suits your skin goals. Over-the-counter topical treatments come in concentrations between 0.5% to 2%. I advise a leave-on product of 1-2 % BHA with no alcohol or fragrance.
Your skin will certainly tell you in subliminal ways, such as clogged pores or acne breakouts on your shoulders or other areas of your body, small bumps and more. It's easy to think that over moisturising is a good thing as 'it's just providing your skin with extra hydration' – however, this isn't true.
Salicylic Acid is also known to regulate excess sebum production in the skin making oily skin types benefit from the use of this ingredient. Other skin types such as dry skin or sensitive skin should use salicylic acid in moderation or as directed.
Retinoids or retinol and salicylic acid
Generally, it's recommended you don't mix retinol and salicylic acid in your skincare routine due to the risk of redness or potentially irritating side effects [3].
Cleansers with Salicylic acid are slightly different, as they're not being left on the skin – rather rinsed away after a few seconds.