What are the rules for salicylic acid?

Author: Alvis Kris  |  Last update: Saturday, August 16, 2025

Cleanser: Use once or twice a day depending on what your skin can tolerate. Salicylic acid can be irritating around the eyes so avoid this delicate area. Toner/Liquid exfoliant: Swipe on with fingers or a cotton pad (depending on how watery the formula is) once or twice a day after cleansing.

What are the guidelines for salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid should not be applied to large areas of the body, used for long periods of time, or used under occlusive dressing (air-tight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap) in children. Use of salicylic acid topical in children younger than 2 years of age is not recommended.

What not to do when using salicylic acid?

To avoid irritation, do not let this medication come into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth, groin, or any broken skin (such as cuts, scrapes, rashes).

How do you use salicylic acid for best results?

Begin by cleansing your face with a mild foaming cleanser, and then apply 3-5 drops of the Salicylic Acid serum. Gently blend it over your face and neck, leaving the serum on overnight without adding other products--this allows it time to work. When you're not using the Salicylic Acid Serum, just cleanse your face.

What are the precautions for salicylic acid?

Be careful not to get topical salicylic acid in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you accidentally get topical salicylic acid in your eyes, nose, or mouth, flush the area with water for 15 minutes.

Salicylic Acid | What it is & How it Treats Your Acne

Is salicylic acid OK to use everyday?

It is safe to use products with salicylic acid in everyday skin care, unless it is specified otherwise on the product usage guidelines or by your health care professional. CeraVe's Salicylic Acid range includes products such as Cerave's SA Smoothing Cream and SA Smoothing Cleanser that are suitable for daily use.

What is the risk of salicylic acid?

The substance is severely irritating to the eyes. The substance may cause effects on the central nervous system, acid-base balance in the body and gastrointestinal tract when ingested in large amounts. This may result in delirium, tremors and coma.

What should I do after applying salicylic acid?

To learn how to apply salicylic acid serum on face, start by applying it to cleansed skin. Let it absorb completely into your skin before following up with a 5% niacinamide serum. This combination helps to maximize the benefits and improve your skin's texture.

What pairs well with salicylic acid?

Retinol works well with Salicylic acid, firstly, as Salicylic acid will help to clear the way for retinol to penetrate, and secondly, as they're both working to whisk away old, no longer needed skin cells.

What happens if you leave salicylic acid on overnight?

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.

What happens if you don't moisturize after salicylic acid?

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.

Why is my skin getting worse after using salicylic acid?

If you've recently started using a product containing retinoids or chemical exfoliants such as glycolic or salicylic acid, there's a good chance your skin is feeling the purge. These ingredients work quicker by helping bring impurities to the surface and small red bumps can actually be a sign the product is working.

What not to mix with salicylic?

Ingredients to Never Mix With Salicylic Acid
  • Glycolic Acid. ...
  • Benzoyl Peroxide.

What happens when you first start using salicylic acid?

If you are using salicylic acid for the first time, you might experience some purging, which is completely normal. Purgings are breakouts in your skin that happen when your skin is getting accustomed to a new active ingredient. Purging due to salicylic acid may last from four to six weeks before it returns to normal.

What to layer after salicylic acid?

There are several ingredients that can be used alongside salicylic acid.
  • Glycolic acid.
  • Lactic acid.
  • Malic acid.
  • Hyaluronic acid.
  • Niacinamide.
  • Peptides.
  • Ceramides.
  • Retinol.

Can I use salicylic acid 2% everyday?

Salicylic acid is generally considered to be an ingredient that is suitable for daily use, and when applied correctly, can be used in combination with other skincare ingredients.

How many minutes should I leave salicylic acid?

Instead, apply salicylic acid directly to the affected area. If you are using your hands to tap the serum into your skin, make sure your hands are clean. Leave the serum on for 10 minutes on your face and wash it gently with cold water. Use it up to two times a day for the best results.

What are the side effects of salicylic acid on the face?

The first few days of using salicylic acid to treat your acne may cause the skin to become dry or irritated. To avoid this, use the product lightly at first and gradually increase the amount once you have gotten used to it. Salicylic acid should not be used on broken, red, swollen, itchy, irritated, or infected skin.

Do you wash off salicylic acid or leave it on?

Leaving it on longer doesn't give better results, we do actually find rinsing the product off before moisturising gives the best results as you're washing away the dead skin, enhancing the efficacy of your product. Salicylic Acid 2% can be used no more than every other day, do not use daily.

What does salicylic acid purging look like?

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.

Why does my salicylic acid turn white when I rub it in?

A “frost” is common with Salicylic acid peels, Jessner's solutions, and other treatments containing salicylic acid. The skin turns white or “frosts” as it neutralizes.

Can you overdo salicylic acid?

There can always be too much of a good thing and salicylic acid is no different. The main negative side effect when overused is it can irritate and cause excess dryness. If you have sensitive skin, choose your formula carefully as some products contain denatured alcohol, which can be additionally drying.

Why did salicylic acid ruin my skin?

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.

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