Dealing with acne breakouts, you’re probably already all too familiar with the ingredient Salicylic Acid. But, this ingredient doesn’t just help with acne, it also helps unclog congested pores, smooths rough texture, and helps balance oily skin.
As a powerhouse skincare ingredient it’s no wonder why Salicylic Acid is often recommended in dealing with troubled skin. The ingredient’s multiple benefits make it pretty useful for a variety of skin types and concerns.
However, there are some nuances when it comes to this ingredient. Various product types from cleansers to serums contain Salicylic Acid, so it may be tricky to figure out what type of Salicylic Acid product is best for you. And, many of these products have different concentrations of Salicylic Acid.
Figuring out what type of Salicylic Acid product you should choose really all depends on how your skin can tolerate the ingredient. So, if you have sensitive skin you probably won’t want to use this ingredient too often and you’ll want to stick to a lower concentration.
So, if you’re not all too familiar with how to use this ingredient but you want to add it in your routine, check out our quick rundown on Salicylic Acid:
What is Salicylic Acid?
As mentioned earlier, Salicylic Acid is a skincare ingredient that helps address skin concerns like clogged pores, acne, and oily skin. But, how exactly does it work?
Salicylic Acid is a chemical exfoliant, which basically means that it penetrates into the skin to break up all the gunk trapped in pores like dead skin cells and excess sebum. And, as you may know clogged pores and pimples pop up when excess dead skin cells and oil mix and clog up pores. So, the exfoliating action of Salicylic Acid helps keep pores clear and reduces the appearance of breakouts.
In helping to remove the built up layers of dead skin cells sitting on top of the skin, Salicylic Acid helps smooth the texture of the skin and can also improve the look of congested skin. Plus, with all that dead skin being removed, the ingredient gives the skin a refreshed, brighter look.
What skin types can use Salicylic Acid?
While Salicylic Acid is best suited to acne-prone and oily skin types, this doesn’t necessarily mean that dry or sensitive skin types can’t also use the ingredient. However, if your skin doesn’t tolerate exfoliants very well it’s best to use the ingredient in moderation and in lower concentrations.
If you have acne-prone or oily skin, Salicylic Acid will become a holy grail. With its ability to exfoliate the skin, this ingredient helps treat existing breakouts and congested skin while also preventing future breakouts.
Additionally, if you want a little extra power in your Salicylic Acid products look for OTC acne products. This basically means that the Salicylic Acid product you are using has between 0.5% and 2% concentrations to best help combat acne.
But, if you have dry or sensitive skin, and you’re not sure how well your skin can tolerate this ingredient, then stick to the Salicylic Acid products with lower concentrations. And, you’ll want to use the product in moderation, so use it about twice a week to be safe.
A good rule of thumb for anyone using Salicylic Acid is to use the exfoliant only a few times a week. You don’t want to risk over-exfoliating the skin since it can dry out the skin causing flakiness and can weaken the skin barrier.
What products contain Salicylic Acid?
With tons of different product types containing Salicylic Acid, it may be confusing to figure out which product type to use. You can see this ingredient in a variety of different products including cleansers, toners, and serums.
In a cleanser, Salicylic Acid helps thoroughly cleanse the skin of not only dead skin cells and excess oil but also of any grime sitting on the skin from being out and about all day. But, if you want the longer-lasting benefits of this ingredient you can use a serum or toner as needed. In a leave-on product the Salicylic Acid works best to help unclog pores and clear the skin in the long term.
For example, our Extra Strength Blemish Patch is infused with Salicylic Acid to help reduce the size of stubborn pimples. Our blemish patches work best when left on the skin for between 6 and 8 hours. During this time the Salicylic Acid patch helps pull out gunk from the pimple to help reduce the time it would take for that pimple to diminish.
Final tips…
Ultimately, any skin type can benefit from adding Salicylic Acid to their routine. With its multiple benefits, this ingredient helps improve the look of congested skin, texture, and breakouts. But, to determine if your skin can handle it, always spot test the product to ensure it won’t cause a negative reaction.
*This information is based on research, consult your dermatologist for professional advice
