Wait 20 minutes before applying your serum and/or moisturizer to one side, but the other side of your face, apply those next steps immediately.
Can I apply moisturizer after using salicylic acid? Yes. Moisturizers can help hydrate and repair skin, making it a good step to do after using an exfoliating treatment with salicylic acid.
When To Use Salicylic Acid: As salicylic acid is pH dependent, the order of it in your skincare routine matters very much. You want to use it right after cleanser and before moisturizer.
Ways to Use Salicylic Acid
Instead, salicylic acid can be effective in the following ways: Gels or Creams: Apply a small amount of these solutions directly to affected areas on the skin and rub them in until they're no longer visible. Don't rinse or remove after application.
The answer is that you don't need to wait. Once a product's pH is established (and if it's a good formula) it will hold steady for while you apply other products afterward, and it takes time for their pH to change.
Salicylic acid for skin treatment can be used as a daily or weekly exfoliator. Similar to a toner, apply salicylic acid onto freshly washed skin and let it absorb for up to 30 seconds before washing it off.
Apply the salicylic acid only to spots on your face with acne. Instead of spreading salicylic acid all over your face, target the areas that have breakouts or acne marks. This is much more helpful and will prevent your face from a severe breakout or irritation if the salicylic acid has a negative effect.
For example, applying salicylic acid toner during your morning routine will rid the skin of debris build-up, following this with retinol in your evening routine will leave enough time in between to ensure the pH levels in the skin are rebalanced and prepared to absorb other skincare ingredients.
Signs that treatment is effective
Wart medications, such as salicylic acid, gradually peel away layers of a wart until it reaches the same level as the skin. People may notice the wart becoming flatter over time.
Engelman notes that “if you're working with salicylic or glycolic acid, they need to be coupled with some sort of moisturizer or lotion to combat the drying effects that they can have on the skin. If your skin is oily and acne-prone, use an oil-free moisturizer to add back the hydration that could be stripped away.”
You don't need to wait for the BHA or AHA to absorb or dry; you can apply any other product in your routine - moisturiser, serum, eye cream, or sunscreen - immediately afterwards. Experiment with different strengths of glycolic acid or salicylic acid to see which concentration gives you the best results.
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.
Do you apply salicylic acid before or after moisturiser? Generally speaking, the most potent skin products containing salicylic acid are those such as serums, spot treatments and cleansers, all of which are applied before moisturisers.
"If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." However, if you are using an exfoliant that has salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advises only using the product three times per week, to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.
Skin purging occurs because of some ingredients that accelerate your body's natural process of getting rid of dead skin cells. Products that contain certain components—including lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinoids—are likely the culprits of your acne breakout.
Can salicylic acid damage skin? You can actually use too much salicylic acid. "The primary negative side effect of salicylic acid is its ability to irritate and dry skin in those who are very sensitive or those who overuse it," says Dr. Nazarian.
Salicylic acid is a key ingredient in many acne treatments.
This is because it helps to unclog pores, remove dead skin cells, and reduce inflammation. It is also gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.
More sensitivity. Poorly moisturized skin can lead to more sensitivity reactions when using certain not-so-gentle skincare products like salicylic acid, retinoids, or strong exfoliants.
Whenever you use a product with salicylic acid or any product targeted for acne, it will dry your skin a little in order to work on active acne which is why it is highly recommended that you do not skin your moisturizer.
“By dissolving the protein that holds the sticky skin cells together, salicylic acid helps unclog pores, [making it] an excellent option for acne [and] clogged pores from whiteheads or blackheads,” she explained.
Salicylic acid works best for mild acne (blackheads and whiteheads). It can also help prevent future breakouts.