Where in my skincare routine should I add salicylic acid?
When you first start using salicylic acid in your skincare routine, it can often be a little daunting to figure out exactly where to use it and if it fits into your existing routine.
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and is often a go-to for those who are prone to acne and blemishes.
Salicylic acid works slightly differently on the skin than more popular alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid, as its smaller molecular size allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin and pores.
Salicylic acid is also oil-soluble, which means it can remove excess sebum, bacteria, dirt, debris, and other impurities from pores.
While salicylic acid works on the lower layers of the skin, it removes dead skin cells on the outer surface that can build up over time and lead to acne and other breakouts.
If you want to learn more about how salicylic acid affects your skin, check out this blog post on the benefits of smart BHAs for skin care. You can also find a dedicated blog post on using salicylic acid serums in your daily routine.
Now that we’ve discussed how salicylic acid affects your skin, let’s explore how to incorporate salicylic acid into your skin care routine.
What role does salicylic acid play in skin care?
This depends on the formulation of the product containing salicylic acid, as a general skin care rule is to apply products in order of consistency from thin to thick.
This is considered the best way to get the benefits of skin care active ingredients. Salicylic acid is commonly found in many skin care products, such as cleansers, toners, and serums. Choosing which products to use will help you better understand where in your daily routine you need salicylic acid.
Although there are many options, exfoliating toners are the most popular products.
Toners are powerful products that can help remove dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from the skin. Another benefit of using a toner rich in salicylic acid is that it doesn’t stay on the skin for very long, which means it won’t cause severe dryness or irritation.
Other skin care products, such as serums or moisturizers, last longer and are applied at the end of your daily skin care routine. You’ll also notice that the formula contains a higher concentration of actives.
Therefore, it is recommended that you do not use serums or moisturizers until your skin has developed a certain tolerance to BHAs. This will prevent unwanted irritation, skin reactions, or severe dryness.
What else can I use besides salicylic acid?
There are several ingredients that work well with salicylic acid.
Keep in mind that not all of the ingredients listed should be coated with salicylic acid. Therefore, try alternating stronger ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid throughout the day. For example, using a salicylic acid toner in your morning routine can help remove impurities from your skin.
Following up with retinol in your evening routine will ensure that your skin’s pH is rebalanced and ready to absorb other skincare ingredients.
Before applying any of these formulas to your skin, I highly recommend that you consult with your doctor or dermatologist to find out which one is best for you and your skin. You can also do a 24-hour patch test before applying the product to your face to avoid unwanted irritation.
Which comes first, salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid?
For best results, use salicylic acid first as it removes all the dead skin cells from your skin. This leaves the skin fresher, more easily absorbed and ensures that anything subsequently applied to the skin
penetrates the lower layers of the skin quickly.
This is ideal for subsequent applications of hyaluronic acid, as the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid attract and lock moisture into the skin, allowing the skin barrier to benefit from the continued flow of moisture. This
forms a healthy barrier, protecting the skin from free radicals such as pollution, UV rays, central heating and other environmental aggressors.
How to introduce salicylic acid?
Many people find that introducing salicylic acid into their daily exfoliation toner is one of the most effective products that won’t over-irritate the skin. Once you have a certain tolerance
If you have developed an effective substance, you can move on to a salicylic acid boost serum, which will add a higher acidity to the mix.
Remember to use a salicylic acid product once a week, first in the evening, to protect your skin from excessive UV exposure. This allows the skin to reap the benefits of the BHA without any of the side effects.
As mentioned before, make sure you and your skin are happy with this addition to your daily regimen and try to avoid breakouts such as rashes and irritation.
Should I use salicylic acid before niacinamide?
Yes, you can use salicylic acid before niacinamide. You’ll find that niacinamide has similar skin benefits to hyaluronic acid, with the main difference being its ability to regulate sebum production.
This often means that niacinamide is a top choice for people who are prone to acne, as it helps keep the skin hydrated and clear without interfering with the effects of salicylic acid.
