When it comes down to what percentage of salicylic acid is good for acne, here's our rule of thumb: Most skin types, especially normal to oily, can get away with using 2%. If your skin tends to be on the dry or sensitive side, start with a lower percentage or opt for the 2% but use it 2-3 times a week instead of daily.
[ PORE CLEANSING & TIGHTENING ]: 2% BHA helps in pore cleansing by flushing out oil and dirt, minimizing pore size. Regular use not only reduce blackheads and whiteheads but also prevents future blackheads, resulting in clear skin. You can include it in your night skin care routine for pore exfoliation.
A: Yes, salicylic acid is particularly known for its ability to penetrate oil and unclog pores, making it effective in reducing the appearance of blackheads.
You can remove blackheads with over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments containing ingredients that help exfoliate away dead skin and reduce oil production. However, don't expect cleared pores overnight. It can take six to eight weeks to see results.
Salicylic acid also improves the shape of the pore lining and once the pore is normalized, the backed-up, smaller clog can more easily come to the surface, appearing as new clogged pores (blackheads or white bumps).
There are some great at-home remedies that can help remove deep blackheads, such as finding an effective deep-pore cleansing face wash to remove dead skin cells. When looking for an at-home remedy or face wash, some key ingredients to look out for are salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
When it comes down to what percentage of salicylic acid is good for acne, here's our rule of thumb: Most skin types, especially normal to oily, can get away with using 2%. If your skin tends to be on the dry or sensitive side, start with a lower percentage or opt for the 2% but use it 2-3 times a week instead of daily.
Because excessive drying of the skin may occur, start with one application daily, then gradually increase to two or three times daily if needed or as directed by a doctor. If bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to once a day or every other day.
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is a water-based serum made with an optimum concentration of salicylic acid which targets textural irregularities while removing dead skin cells that can clog pores. And because it promotes exfoliation, this solution helps visibly reduce congestion, giving way to brighter, clearer skin.
Try a retinoid
It also helps to prevent outbreaks and reduces the formation of acne scars.” Sometimes, it works to split treatment between a retinoid and an alpha or beta hydroxy acid. An example treatment could be using a salicylic acid cleanser in the morning and a retinoid at night.
8) It targets blackheads
Salicylic acid will get rid of them for good. As it works to clear pores and reduce oil secretion, the blackheads will disappear and stay at bay.
This means the things that treat acne, like washing your face with salicylic acid cleansers and using topical retinoid creams, also treat comedones. Keep in mind that clear skin rarely ever happens overnight. "It may take several months to see improvement in the appearance of comedones on the skin," warns Dr. Green.
Use Products With Salicylic Acid
One go-to ingredient for eliminating blackheads is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that increases cell turnover and unclogs pores, says Saedi. Suozzi adds that the acne treatment can help dry active acne lesions because it is a mild chemical irritant.
Chemical peels
The procedure can unclog pores and start up new skin growth. You get a chemical peel in your doctor's office. It removes cells from the top layer of your skin. Common ingredients in chemical peel products are salicylic, glycolic, and retinoic acids.
Removing them can make the pore more prominent and appear like a tiny hole. However, the hole would exist even before the blackhead.
Most people (bar those with super-sensitive skin) should be able to use a Salicylic acid cleanser every day. The other exception is face masks, which are designed to be an added extra when your skin needs a little extra TLC – not a daily part of your routine.
Products containing between 1 to 2 percent of salicylic acid are effective. However, Dr. Hu recommended looking for products containing 2 percent if you are trying to treat acne. "I like 4.5.
Topical salicylic acid treats acne by reducing swelling and redness and unplugging blocked skin pores to allow pimples to shrink. It treats other skin conditions by softening and loosening dry, scaly, or thickened skin so that it falls off or can be removed easily.
Prolonged exposure to the air causes the blockage to oxidize and darken. Because the pore gets stretched out of shape, it will fill back up again even after it is emptied. These stubborn pores are most likely to occur on the face, chest and back. However, they can also emerge on the ears, neck and scalp.
Blackheads, or open comedos, are clogged pores that are filled with dead skin cells and oil, not dirt or grime as myth may suggest. The blackish portion of a blackhead — aka the sesame seed — is due to the oxidation of the dead skin cells and oil when exposed to air.