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.
For those who need the exfoliating benefits of salicylic acid daily, cleanse with SA Smoothing Cleanser with Ceramides, then follow with Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum to enhance hydration.
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.
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.
Yes, a combination of niacinamide and salicylic acid can provide a myriad of benefits when properly incorporated into a consistent skin care regimen. Using niacinamide and salicylic acid together can help reduce the appearance of redness, inflammation, and clogged pores.
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.
DON'T MIX: AHA/BHA and niacinamide
Niacinamide is used to treat hyperpigmentation and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, while alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are chemical exfoliants. To understand why niacinamide shouldn't be mixed with AHAs and BHAs, you need to consider pH.
In theory, this dynamic duo is exactly what you need to beat adult acne. But traditional Retinol and Salicylic Acid formulas can irritate skin when used together – resulting in a compromised skin barrier, that can hinder your results and slow down your journey to clearer skin.
A salicylic and hyaluronic acid serum, absorbed into the skin and help to exfoliate, reduce inflammation, hydrate and protect the skin barrier, and improve your overall complexion and tone. Combining the two acids in one serum provides all the effectiveness of each, without necessarily affecting tolerance in skin.
When you bring lactic acid into the mix with salicylic acid, they complement each other brilliantly. Salicylic acid focuses on deep pore cleansing, while lactic acid works on the surface to slough away dead skin cells, giving your skin a smoother texture and a luminous sheen.
For sensitive skin, start with salicylic acid, since it's less likely to cause irritation. If you're already using an oral or topical treatment for acne, benzoyl peroxide might be a more effective option — but start with a lower concentration and gradually move up from there to see what your skin can tolerate.
It's fine to use Salicylic Acid as part of your daily skincare routine. Doing so will help to keep your skin clarified and refreshed while limiting excess oil production.
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].
Give salicylic acid a few minutes to settle in before introducing vitamin C. Vitamin C steps in as the hero, working to brighten, protect, and boost collagen production. It's like having a protective shield against environmental aggressors while simultaneously working to keep your skin looking bright and youthful.
This 2% concentration of salicylic acid makes it a stable yet effective product to use twice daily. After using this serum, we recommend layering it up with a hydrating moisturizer. During the morning skincare routine, use a broad-spectrum SPF to avoid sunburns.
Can I put salicylic acid on my face overnight? Yes, you can, but only if you have used salicylic acid before and your skin has a tolerance for it. But if you have extremely dry skin that suffers a lot from changes in your skin care regimen, you should avoid leaving it on your face overnight.
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.