Best Overall: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
There's a reason most acne washes contain salicylic acid, as explained by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach, "It's an oil-soluble acid that can permeate the pores in your skin and dissolve old dead skin and debris that is clogging pores. "
"I recommend starting with a lower concentration of salicylic acid, like 0.5 or 1 percent, to see if you tolerate it before jumping to 2 percent [the maximum amount the FDA allows in OTC products]," Dr.
Yes it is considered ok to use salicylic acid every day, however, due to it sometimes resulting in the skin becoming irritated many skin experts and dermatologists suggest using the acid in moderation, starting by applying it 3 times a week and if there are no signs of any reactions, you can build up the usage by one ...
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.
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.
Glycolic acid is an effective exfoliant, meaning it can remove dead skin cells. It's well suited to reducing hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. If you have acne-prone skin, salicylic acid is usually a better option. It can get rid of excess sebum and prevent or treat acne.
"The primary negative side effect of salicylic acid is its ability to irritate and dry skin in those who are very sensitive or those who overuse it," says Dr. Nazarian.
“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.
Dermatologists recommend a liquid exfoliant called salicylic acid to help treat common conditions that result from dead skin build-up, which include breakouts, clogged pores, and dandruff.
Michaella Bolder, a skincare expert, told Harper's Bazaar, "Salicylic acid 0.5 percent or 2 percent is always best for acne sufferers and oily skin types as this mild ingredient effectively regulates your sebum production while the antibacterial properties work to eliminate bacteria on the surface of the skin.
Hyaluronic acid is a skin hydrator, not an exfoliant like salicylic acid. You can definitely use both. In fact, applying hyaluronic acid with your salicylic acid is a very good idea. Salicylic acid can be a little drying to the skin because it's job is to absord excess oil.
Salicylic acid is a great ingredient for people with oily and acne-prone skin, and particularly for treating blackheads and whiteheads. If you are suffering from only minor congestion of the pores on your skin, then salicylic acid may be too strong of a spot treatment option and could potentially lead to dry skin.
Niacinamide & Salicylic Acid
Niacinamide, a water-soluble form of vitamin B3, and salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, work particularly well when combined together. Both have anti-aging and anti-acne effects and offer some level of UV protection.
Retinoid or Retinol and Salicylic Acid
But on its own, each can dry out the skin, so together they should be combined with caution. The risk is overdrying, which can lead to irritation and make the situation worse.
Salicylic acid is the preferred ingredient for treating blackheads and whiteheads because it breaks down the materials that clog pores: excess oil. dead skin cells.
Don't Mix: Retinol with vitamin C, benzoyl peroxide, and AHA/BHA acids. AHA and BHA acids are exfoliating, which can dry out skin and cause further irritation if your skincare routine already includes retinol.
Doing so will help remove surface skin issues without damaging or drying out the skin. However, for individuals with oily or combination skin, salicylic acid is often the better choice.
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.
Niacinamide and glycolic acid are both common ingredients in exfoliating products. Glycolic acid helps to break down the top layer of dead skin cells to encourage a smoother complexion. Niacinamide increases the skin's elasticity to help improve the appearance of fine wrinkles and lines.
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.
Having said that, applying niacinamide before salicylic acid will not only reduce the chances of irritation, but will help the BHA absorb into the lower layers of the skin quicker due to the fact the humectant properties of niacinamide will make it penetrate more rapidly.
But overall, stick to using water-based products and serums together. 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.