“Salicylic acid works by reducing oil and sebum on the skin. It also helps to exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which also contributes to the clogging of pores and dullness of the skin," says Jordan C.
Salicylic acid or beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) is an incredible exfoliant that sheds off dead skin cells by penetrating deep into the pore lining and inhibiting the sebum production. It is an oil-soluble exfoliator and is often considered better than Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) for pore cleaning.
Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser and exfoliator? No, avoid using a salicylic acid cleanser and exfoliator as this can cause extreme irritation and dryness.
However, because blackheads and acne are the cumulative result of pores clogged daily, this needs daily treatment, in a product you use every day. So, using a face wash with salicylic acid as an active ingredient is a good way to regularly exfoliate it.
Like glycolic acid, salicylic acid has an exfoliating effect on the skin. It can also remove excess sebum (oil) and reduce sebum production, making it an excellent ingredient for unclogging pores.
Salicylic Acid Exfoliates the Skin
Many skin issues are caused by the build-up of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. Salicylic acid penetrates into the pores of the skin to dissolve dead skin cells and flaky skin that has built up on the surface of the skin and causes clogged pores.
It is safe to use products with salicylic acid every day, unless it is specified otherwise on the product usage guidelines or by your health care professional. CeraVe's SA Smoothing Cream and SA Smoothing Cleanser are suitable for daily use.
“You can use a salicylic acid–based cleanser in the morning to unclog pores and avoid acne and a glycolic acid–based cleanser at night to exfoliate your skin and get rid of dead skin cells,” notes Jailman.
Salicylic acid may be used morning and night. Because it's so gentle, it may also be applied as a midday spot treatment.
Most derms we've talked to recommend using a face wash or cleanser that contains between 0.5 and 2 percent salicylic acid daily. Consider this your first line of defense against blackheads, whiteheads and minor acne.
Luckily for us, yes, niacinamide is perfectly safe to use with salicylic acid due to the fact it contains humectant properties. This allows the ingredient to absorb moisture from the surrounding atmosphere and other product formulas and locking them into the different layers of the skin.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU USE A SALICYLIC ACID? While the frequency of application will vary from product to product, most will recommend use twice daily.
Salicylic acid works best on blackheads and whiteheads.
"Salicylic acid helps with the first cause by dissolving the type of skin debris that clogs pores and causes acne," he says. Therefore, salicylic acid is ideal for treating blackheads and whiteheads.
It works by penetrating and dislodging the gunk (sebum) in your pores, so that it's no longer trapped — resulting in a lower chance of triggering an acne breakout." When you combine salicylic with a moisturizer, you're essentially chemically exfoliating your skin while also giving it the hydration it needs to avoid—you ...
Although salicylic acid is considered safe overall, it may cause skin irritation when first starting. It may also remove too much oil, resulting in dryness and potential irritation. Other potential side effects include: skin tingling or stinging.
When using salicylic acid or other acne treatments, it may take 6-8 weeks to start noticing results. Anyone who does not see an improvement in their acne after this time may wish to contact a doctor or dermatologist for advice on alternative treatment options.
Salicylic acid and vitamin C are both effective products on their own but, when combined, they can be even more beneficial. Whether you're looking to brighten your skin, reduce the likelihood of blemishes or just help slow down the skin's natural aging process, these ingredients may be just what you're looking for.
Salicylic acid
It's considered to be one of the best treatments for acne scars. You can add products with salicylic acid into your daily routine, or your skin care specialist may use it for less frequent chemical peels. It might take a few weeks to see a difference when using salicylic acid.
Salicylic acid decreases postacne hyperpigmentation by its anti-inflammatory effects. Ahn and Kim[18] found salicylic acid to have a whitening effect on the skin as well. Mandelic acid also has a beneficial effect in improving skin pigmentation.
Acne treatments — especially those that contain active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid — are drying and a bit harsh on your skin. If you use too many treatments at the same time, your skin may become irritated, and you may actually suffer more breakouts as a result.
Products that may cause purging
Retinoids such as Tretinoin, acids such as salicylic, and benzoyl peroxide are just a few of the products that cause purging. These products contain active ingredients that increase the skin cell turnover rate, therefore causing your skin to purge.
Once or twice a week is great, but everyday exfoliation is even better. Clinique Derm Pro Dr. Michelle Henry gives us her top five reasons to exfoliate daily. Once or twice a week is great, but everyday exfoliation is even better.
But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together. AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
It is considered the best idea to apply niacinamide before salicylic acid. This is because the humectant traits of niacinamide ensure the natural skin barrier contains the correct levels of water. When the skin barrier is moisturised and healthy it can keep itself protected from exposure to free radical damage.