Salicylic acid works best for mild acne (blackheads and whiteheads). It can also help prevent future breakouts.
For cystic acne removal, start with a high concentration of salicylic acid cleanser – around 1 to 2% – depending on how sensitive your skin is. The high concentration of salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHAs) will help shrink cystic pimples by removing excess oil, sloughing off dead skin cells, and drying them out.
Salicylic acid can be an effective ingredient in skin care products to help treat acne. Salicylic acid can help unclog blocked pores by breaking down and removing dead skin cells and oil. Salicylic acid may produce mild side effects, such as skin irritation or peeling.
Salicylic acid and glycolic acid products can potentially benefit hormonal acne patients, as well. "Salicylic acid can help reduce inflammation and pimple size and glycolic acid will exfoliate the skin's surface, which helps keep pores clear," Dr. Hartman says.
Salicylic acid is a “lipid-soluble” ingredient, which means it can effectively penetrate your pores. This makes it especially useful for oily and acne-prone skin (particularly for those with “open comedones,” also known as blackheads) because it helps unclog pores and keep them free of acne-causing debris.
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.
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.
Management and Treatment
Blackheads and whiteheads: Topical cream (tretinoin). Inflammatory acne: Topical retinoid and/or topical antibiotic and/or benzoyl peroxide. Moderate to severe acne: Antibiotic and/or isotretinoin (retinoid). Cystic acne: Steroid injection (intralesional triamcinolone).
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.
What does hormonal acne look like? Whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules are all common hormonal acne symptoms. Normally, whiteheads and blackheads do not cause pain, inflammation or swelling, but if they do, then they are most likely forming into cysts and pustules.
"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.
Breakouts caused by acne shouldn't worsen when starting a product known to improve acne. The comedones triggered when skin purges happen at the start of using a product known to cause purging.
Cystic acne treatments include: Antibiotic creams, gels solutions and lotions to kill bacteria and decrease inflammation. Azelaic acid (Azelex®, Finacea®) or salicylic acid to kill bacteria and get rid of excess dead skin cells. Benzoyl peroxide to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin.
Cystic acne often looks like boils on the skin. Other identifying characteristics include: large pus-filled cyst. large white bump.
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.
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.
Salicylic acid starts working by 2-3 weeks, and takes around 2-3 months to show full effect. This potent antioxidant reduces pigmentation and builds up skin collagen. You will start noticing a brighter complexion in 4-6 weeks but actual improvements, in terms of dark spots reduction, will take around 3-4 months.
You can tell if acne is hormonal or bacteria by its severity if flare-ups occur during hormonal imbalances, and whether topical treatments resolve the issues, or if systemic medications are needed.
Given the increase in oil production, she says your skin will usually look greasier and slightly more inflamed. Zeichner adds that stress acne can also look like a combination of blackheads, whiteheads, red bumps, and pus pimples.
The percentage of salicylic acid in these topical treatments are the highest you can find and so expect to experience dryness and flaking. To counteract this skin-reaction it is best to follow the topical spot treatment with a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid which will help restore moisture.
Yes, it's considered best for your skin and the protective skin barrier to apply a moisturiser after using salicylic acid.