What does salicylic acid do for your skin?

I’ll be the first to admit that the sheer variety of skincare ingredients can often be dizzying and confusing. When it comes to finding the best ingredients to combat skin issues, especially if your main concern is acne, pimples, and breakouts, you’ve undoubtedly heard of salicylic acid.

Salicylic acid is an effective heavyweight in the skincare world, whether it’s an over-the-counter product or a professional peel. It’s derived from willow bark and is classified as a salicylate ingredient. Known for its complex structure, figuring out how it works on the skin can be daunting. It’ll give you a better idea of what it does to your skin overall. It’s a member of the BHA family, also known as beta hydroxy acid, and is the most common, found in nearly every skincare product designed to combat acne and breakouts.

There are two classes of acids used in skincare formulas: AHAs and BHAs. The two groups of acids are slightly different because of the way the molecule is separated from the acid. Alpha hydroxy acids separate the acid from one carbon atom, while beta hydroxy acids use two carbon atoms. This means that BHAs essentially have more impact and penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. For example, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can slough off layers of dead skin cells while penetrating deep into the pores to remove dirt, bacteria, and excess sebum. Salicylic acid is very effective at helping improve skin clarity, but it can also tend to cause some dryness, especially if you have a skin type that’s prone to sensitivity and redness. Performing a 24-hour patch test before applying a new product to your face will help prevent unwanted skin reactions.

If you want to learn more about salicylic acid and its benefits, you can read our dedicated blog post.

Is it OK to use salicylic acid every day?

In short: yes, but always listen to your skin. If you find that your skin feels comfortable and looks clear, you can use salicylic acid every day. Some people can even use it twice a day once their skin can tolerate it.

The percentage of this BHA in individual products varies greatly from brand to brand. This can sometimes affect how sensitive your skin will be to using different products. That’s why we think it’s so important to perform a patch test on your skin first. If you still experience signs of irritation, it’s best to stop using salicylic acid products for a day or two and use a serum rich in hyaluronic acid instead. Once your skin has improved and there are no more signs of irritation, you can try to slowly reintroduce the product.

Is salicylic acid harmful to the skin?

No, not really, but it can irritate the skin if not used correctly. Salicylic acid is great for oily skin that is prone to rashes. If you have a drier skin type that is more susceptible to sensitivity, BHAs may be too harsh on the skin. Since salicylic acid works deep within the pores to remove excess sebum, it can be very drying to the skin, which can cause excess sebum production if you find that your face is over-oiled, leading to more irritation and rashes.

The best way to reap the benefits is to slowly introduce salicylic acid into your daily routine, once a week, preferably in the evening. This helps build tolerance and avoid unwanted reactions.

Can salicylic acid remove dark spots?

Yes, it will! Salicylic acid can remove dark spots due to the exfoliating properties of BHAs. When dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, the complexion begins to look dull and lackluster. You will also notice that more breakouts and flaky patches appear on the skin, and dark spots appear more pigmented. Salicylic acid can remove dark spots by removing layers of dead skin. The more it removes, the lighter the dark spots will become.

Salicylic acid can’t completely remove dark spots, but if you combine a powerful BHA with vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid into your daily routine, and wear sunscreen every day, you’ll find that your complexion looks brighter, more hydrated, and your skin tone is more even. Of course, keep in mind that these recommended skin ingredients should only be used in your daily routine after consulting a doctor or dermatologist.

Can I use a moisturizer after using salicylic acid?

Absolutely. Using a moisturizer after using salicylic acid is a great way to restore the skin barrier while creating a physical barrier on the surface of the skin. If you choose a moisturizer with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, make sure the water and oil content of the skin’s protective barrier is sufficient and it scavenges free radicals, such as pollution, UV rays, and bad weather.

Should salicylic acid be used in the morning or at night?

It depends on you and your skin type, as some people find that using BHA too frequently can cause irritation and dryness. However, if your skin has developed a tolerance, you can use salicylic acid morning and night. Skin experts recommend switching up the formulation of products containing acids to thoroughly cleanse your skin while avoiding unwanted reactions. Try using a salicylic acid-rich toner in the morning, and opt for a serum with active acids in the evening. It is thought to be best to use a serum at night, as the higher concentration of acids can work undisturbed without exposure to free radicals.

So, you can learn more about the effects of salicylic acid on your skin here. If you have any other skin care questions, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram. We look forward to seeing you there!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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