"Salicyclic acid moisturizers are a great tool to have in your acne toolbox," adds Austin-based dermatologist Ted Lain, MD. "A low-dose salicylic acid dives deeply into pores to exfoliate and prevent blackheads, while the moisturizing ingredients ensure that there is little to no irritation or redness."
Salicylic acid can be paired with popular ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide if you want to decongest your pores and avoid dryness.
Many dermatologists, therefore, recommend using the acid in moderation, beginning by applying it three times a week and working up from there. Can salicylic acid dry the skin out? Yes, which is why it's best to start in moderation and combine it with a more moisturizing product, like a lotion.
Engelman notes that “if you're working with salicylic or glycolic acid, they need to be coupled with some sort of moisturizer or lotion to combat the drying effects that they can have on the skin. If your skin is oily and acne-prone, use an oil-free moisturizer to add back the hydration that could be stripped away.”
Absolutely, hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid are perfectly safe to use together. This is because, although they are both carry the name acid, they do in fact work very differently on the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a highly effective skin ingredient because of the humectant properties it contains.
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.
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.
You want to make sure that you're not using a product that has too high of a concentration of salicylic acid. Gels should have no more than 5% acid. Lotions that are applied once or twice a day should have 1–2% salicylic acid, and solutions like cleansers or toners should have 0.5–2% salicylic acid.
The best time to apply toner is right after cleansing your skin. You don't need to wash toner off after applying it to your skin. Toner with salicylic acid is one of the best ways to fight acne. Toner can be drying, so start by applying it a few times a week to see how your skin reacts.
Can niacinamide and salicylic acid be used together? The simple answer is yes. They complement each other well. Being oil soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into the skin layers, but it can also dehydrate and irritate skin.
By using a salicylic acid enriched wash after cleansing the skin of any remaining makeup, you are helping to rid the skin of any dead skin cell build-up allowing any nourishing products applied afterwards to absorb quicker into the lower layers of the skin and show results quicker.
Yes, you can, BUT you will get better results if you use vitamin C and glycolic acid/salicyclic acid separately. We recommend using vitamin C in the morning and your AHA or BHA at night.
To fight the good fight against acne, you may also use salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that increases skin cell turnover, to keep pores clear. But on its own, each can dry out the skin, so together they should be combined with caution.
"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 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.
Having two different cleansers for morning and night sounds unnecessary, but Jaliman says it's good to mix it up. “You can use a salicylic acid–based cleanser in the morning to unclog pores and avoid acne and a glycolic acid–based cleanser at night to exfoliate your skin and get rid of dead skin cells,” notes Jailman.
It will appear that applying hyaluronic acid after salicylic acid is a natural step that occurs when applying your skincare routine.
Can glycolic acid be mixed with salicylic acid? You can certainly use glycolic acid and salicylic acid together, but we would suggest avoiding mixing them together. This is because combining such potent ingredients will cause a severe reaction to the skin, as well as potentially damaging the skin barrier.
It is considered the best idea to apply niacinamide before salicylic acid. This is because the humectant traits of niacinamide ensure the natural skin barrier contains the correct levels of water. When the skin barrier is moisturised and healthy it can keep itself protected from exposure to free radical damage.
Their most important difference is their mechanism of action. Also, salicylic acid doesn't help hydrate the skin whereas niacinamide does. Sure, salicylic acid may help your moisturiser work better but it can't hydrate the skin on its own. The truth is one isn't better than the other.
Niacinamide and salicylic acid are both great ingredients for treating acne and have a variety of other benefits as well. Salicylic acid is the better option for treating acne, while niacinamide is great for fading scarring and hyperpigmentation.
Apply a small amount of medicine to the affected area and rub in gently. If using the pads, wash the affected skin with a mild cleanser, then pat dry. Wipe the pad gently onto the skin to apply the medication, usually 1 to 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor.
Salicylic acid may be used morning and night. Because it's so gentle, it may also be applied as a midday spot treatment.