Benzoyl Peroxide vs. Salicylic Acid: A Guide to Using Both for Acne

Should I Use Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid First?

If you have suffered from severe breakouts before, you may already have a full understanding of what benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid can do for the skin. But if all of this is new to you, then you’ve come to the right place as we are going to help shed a little light on both of these skincare ingredients and the best way of using them and when to use them in your daily regime.

Benzoyl Peroxide Vs Salicylic Acid- What is the main difference?

Both of these ingredients have an exceptional ability to help keep your skin clear of breakouts and blemishes, although it may feel as if they are targeting the same areas, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid vary in the ways they treat the skin and any active flareups you may be currently suffering from.

Salicylic acid helps to remove the build-up of dead skin cells that can clog pores which eventually leads to a spot or blackheads, whilst benzoyl peroxide will kill any bacteria that is also a culprit at creating pesky breakouts. Each ingredient is highly effective at treating acne and both are considered safe enough to use in conjunction with each other. For example, one evening you can use salicylic acid, and then benzoyl peroxide the following evening which is a a highly beneficial way of treating problematic skin. As always, we highly recommend seeking advice from your GP or dermatologist before using high concentration of these ingredients.

The habit of your breakouts and skin type have also got a part to play in the overall appearance of your complexion. If you find there are constant active spots and blackheads on your face then benzoyl peroxide would be the ideal ingredient to use. For more hormonal breakouts, salicylic acid will help you buff away the dead skin cells and keep on top of the clarity of the skin.

What is benzoyl peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide, also known as BPO, is an over the counter skincare ingredient that has the ability to kill bacteria on your skin. It is available in a number of concentrations ranging from 2.5%, 5% and 10% allowing sufferers of moderate to severe acne to be treated. It also contains exfoliating properties that steadily increase the cell turnover of the skin by removing any dead skin cells whilst ridding the pores of any excess sebum too.

Once you have applied benzoyl peroxide to the skin, it will set to work at targeting all the lesions found on the skin from blackheads, whiteheads and active red pimples. Its ability to kill the bacteria and reduce the size of the breakouts in rapid time allows you to start noticing a difference in your skin after just five days. You can understand it’s popularity with its ability to deliver such impressive fast results. Be warned however, using the right amount of benzoyl peroxide is vital to keeping your skin looking its best as the wrong amount will result in some side effects, such as dryness, peeling and redness.

The skincare benefits of benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is able to kill any form of blemish causing bacteria

Benzoyl peroxide helps to increase the turnover of dead skin cells allowing the skin to become rejuvenated

Benzoyl peroxide is sold over the counter in varies strengths making it easier for many people to use by matching their skin type and concerns to the best percentage level

Benzoyl peroxide in fast-acting and will show results in 5 days

Side effects of using benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide can cause dryness, redness and sometimes peeling to the skin

Benzoyl peroxide can cause bleaching if it comes into contact with dark fabrics

Benzoyl peroxide is known to cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (dark spots and uneven skin tone)

What should you not use benzoyl peroxide with?

When using benzoyl peroxide for treating breakouts and blemishes its best to avoid using retinol at the same time as both these ingredients have similar effect on the skin which results in them cancelling each other, resulting in them both becoming a useless step in your skincare routine.

With benzoyl peroxide being quite a potent anti-blemish ingredient, the chances of it potentially causing dryness to the skin are high, this is why it is advisable to team this bacteria-fighting ingredient with products that are enriched with moisturising and hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid. Once you have locked moisture into the skin you must also remember to protect it from environmental stresses, the main one being UV rays. Applying a daily SPF is an important step in your routine when using benzoyl peroxide as the exfoliation can make the skin more sensitive to the sun, SPF of 30 and above will keep the skin safe from any damage.

What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, also known as BHA and is able to reach down into the lower layers of the skin. It can help treat acne and has the ability to exfoliate the skin and unclog the pores of any build-up of excess sebum, bacteria and left-over debris. Quite often you will find the skin suffers from a build-up of dead skin cells which is another contributing factor to blemishes. Salicylic acid is able to dissolve the bonds holding the dead skin cells to the top layer of the face, making dead skin cells easier to buff away and reveal the new vibrant skin underneath.

Much like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid is formulated into many over the counter products and comes in varying concentrates from 0.5%-2%. One of the main differences between the two ingredients is salicylic acid is able to combat blemishes whilst soothing the skin which makes this a unique benefit of salicylic acid compared to other spot fighting ingredients that are known to cause dryness, redness and irritation. You can find out more about this BHA in our blog post about the skincare benefits of salicylic acid.

The skincare benefits of salicylic acid

Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin by removing a build-up of dead skin cells

Salicylic acid is able to reduce the appearance of pores

Salicylic acid is able to sooth the skin and calm inflammation

Salicylic acid is a BHA and is able to work further down into the layers of the skin

Salicylic acid can deep clean the pores of any bacteria, excess sebum and debris that can clog pores

Side effects of using salicylic acid

Salicylic acid if used incorrectly can cause redness, blistering and a rash

Salicylic acid unlike benzoyl peroxide can take a number of weeks before showing any results

Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are both highly powerful ingredient which can deliver results when combating problematic skin. It really doesn’t matter which ingredient you decide to use first, they both provide impressive benefits and help you keep your skin clear and combat any breakouts with ease. By adding these into a routine that contains a number of other powerful acne fighting ingredients you will really notice a difference in your complexion. To help you build a blemish-fighting routine you can check out our blog about which ingredients help clear acne for more information.

Don’t forget to join us on Instagram for daily skin care tips, product launches and exclusive discount codes. Don’t miss out on more skincare tips and expert advice over on our YouTube channel! Come and find us on The Green Sofa by hitting the subscribe button, you won’t regret it!

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.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected