Hyaluronic acid can help rehydrate complexions after a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid has been applied. This means you can support skin texture and clarity with salicylic acid, followed by hyaluronic acid to nourish and soften the skin.
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.
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.
Yes, you can use ceramide based moisturizers or intense hydrating moisturizers/lotion after using Salicylic acid body wash. Applying a moisturizer immediately after using an Salicylic acid body wash will help keep the barrier intact and skin hydrated.
Retinol: As Retinol and Salicylic Acid are both exfoliating, drying skincare ingredients, using both together in the same routine could lead to serious irritation. Glycolic Acid: Similarly, as an AHA, Glycolic Acid helps exfoliate the top layer of the skin, which is too intense when used alongside Salicylic Acid.
Hyaluronic acid can help rehydrate complexions after a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid has been applied.
Salicylic acid is best applied to dry skin, whereas hyaluronic acid is best applied to damp skin and then sealed in with a thicker moisturizer/occlusive. Damp skin is more porous, allowing skincare components to enter the skin's barrier more easily.
You don't need to wait for your BHA or AHA to absorb or dry; you can apply any other product in your routine—moisturizer, serum, eye cream or sunscreen—immediately afterward.
Use Moisturizer
You should always include a moisturizer in your skincare routine, especially when using an exfoliating ingredient like salicylic acid. This and other cleansing ingredients can strip away the so-called “good oils” that protect your skin and keep it hydrated during the day.
When you pair hyaluronic acid with salicylic acid, you're balancing the oil-reducing and pore-cleansing benefits with a much-needed hydration boost. This combination ensures that while salicylic acid is taking care of acne and oiliness, hyaluronic acid is there to fill your skin with plumping, hydrating goodness.
Layering of salicylic acid
Layering too many products or using too many actives at once is doing more harm than good. Listen to your skin always. The best way to use Salicylic acid is as cleansers, which I would suggest using twice a day maximum.
Combining salicylic acid with ingredients such as niacinamide & AHAs works well to clear pores, reduce acne, and control sebum production. This serum contains 2% salicylic acid and 3% niacinamide.
Ceramides and Salicylic Acid
The downside of BHAs such as salicylic acid is that overuse can lead to sensitivity or dry skin. That's why it's useful to mix ceramides and salicylic acid in the same routine to help counteract any loss of hydration.
However, peptides and salicylic acid should not be used at the same time, because salicylic acid can make peptides less efficacious. Found in sugar cane, beetroots and fruits, glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid known for its antibacterial and brightening properties.
The answer is... drumroll please... salicylic acid first, then moisturizer!
Quite simply put: there is no difference between the two. Salicylic acid is a type of BHA, long referred to as beta-hydroxy acid. The active ingredient is a chemical peel that is obtained from white willow (Salix alba).
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].
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.
Avoid the eye area and any open wounds or inflamed skin. Wait for the salicylic acid to fully absorb into the skin. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Apply your moisturizer to help hydrate the skin and lock in the salicylic acid.
For clearer-looking skin, pair Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. For hydrated skin, pair Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide.
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.
There are several reasons retinol and salicylic acid should not be used at the same time. Since retinol is such a potent ingredient, it already creates the potential for temporary dryness, redness and flaking. When applied at the same time with salicylic acid, the chances of these effects are increased.