Can I Sleep with Salicylic Acid on Face?
If you’ve suffered from a blemish in the past, chances are you’ve used a product containing salicylic acid, whether you realised it or not. One of the most used beta hydroxy acids, salicylic acid has gained a reputation for effectively combating frequent breakouts and acne prone skin.
The question is, can this potent ingredient be used for on the face overnight? Will it still deliver the results you want or perhaps it’ll be too harsh for the skin leading to a flare-up in dryness, flaking patches of skin, and irritation. Let’s investigate how this ingredient works and find out if you can sleep with salicylic acid on your face.
Don’t forget, if you wanted to know more about salicylic acid and how it works on the skin you can check out our dedicated blog post over on The Beauty Insiders.
Can you leave salicylic acid on your face overnight?
Yes, you really can! You can use salicylic acid twice a day if required, those with a skin type that is oily and prone to breakouts will benefit from using the BHA most. If you find yourself having a dry skin type that suffers from the occasional spot, it may be a case of finding a product that doesn’t remain on the skin for too long and you should avoid leaving it on the face overnight all together.
If you have previously used salicylic acid and your skin has built a tolerance for it
As for serums and moisturisers, you’ll find that their formulas will often contain salicylic acid of 1% to 2% potency which is considered low enough to leave on the skin overnight and rinse off come morning. I would advise strongly against using any formulas that are medical or professional grade of 15% or higher for overnight application. These are for skin treatments, such as chemical peels, and are best used for a boost in restoring the complexion to vibrant, clear, and blemish-free clarity.
Does salicylic acid help overnight?
Yes, salicylic acid can help overnight with any concerns you have with spots and acne. Thanks to the exfoliating abilities, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory it can combat any flare-ups of blemishes that are active on the surface of the skin, as well as working in the lower layers to prevent any potential breakouts from reaching the surface.
You’ll find that with serum products containing salicylic acid that the percentage of the BHA will higher which can cause some drying effects on the skin. Therefore, it’s considered a good idea to team any salicylic acid skincare product with a hydrating ingredient, like hyaluronic acid to keep the skin surface plumped, hydrated, with a youthful bounce.
How long do I leave salicylic acid on face?
This is very much dependant on the product you use, as they all remain on the skin for different amounts of time. If you are just introducing salicylic acid into your daily routine, it may be a good idea to start with using an exfoliating toner that is applied to the skin by soaking cotton discs and sweeping the formula across the face. This, as well as a cleanser enriched in salicylic acid is another option as both products are either rinsed off the face or absorb quickly.
If it’s a serum, face oil or moisturiser you decide to use, these generally remain on the skin for a considerably longer amount of time. It is advised by some skincare experts that using a salicylic acid product overnight enables the ingredient to work without being disturbed with the exposure to free radicals, such as pollution or UV rays.
Should I use salicylic acid in the morning or night?
You can use salicylic acid twice a day, in the morning and at night. By doing this you are keeping the skin clean and dirt free whilst combating the spot causing bacteria. Using the BHA twice day is really boiling down to your skin type, oily, acne prone skins in particular benefit from salicylic acid most of all.
For those with a slightly more dry and sensitive skin type, its best to avoid using salicylic acid all together as it can be too much and can sometimes strip the skin of the essential oil it requires to remain healthy. For your skin barrier to function correctly, it needs the right amount of water and oil ensuring it is strong enough to ward off any damage caused from free radicals. By removing this oil, you will weaken your skin barrier and kick start the sebum (the natural oil found in the skin) production leading to a flare-up in spots, blackheads, and breakouts.
When does salicylic acid start working?
You can expect to see a difference in the improvement of your breakouts after consistently using a salicylic acid enriched product for 6-8 weeks. If you find you have passed that amount of time and have seen no difference in your skin, the next steps would be to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to find alternative treatments which will hopefully be more effective.
Is it normal to breakout after using salicylic acid?
Yes, it is perfectly normal for the skin to suffer from a breakout after using salicylic acid. This breakout is also known as purging and occurs because of how the BHA works on the skin. With salicylic acid being oil-soluble it can penetrate the lower layers and unclog the pores of any excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities. This results in all the “gunk” being pushed to the surface of skin all in one go resulting in flare-up in acne like breakouts.
Does salicylic acid remove blackheads? Yes, it certainly does! Salicylic acid is one of the most used ingredients for combating blemishes and acne prone skin. It can break down the impurities, remove excess sebum, and slough away the build-up of dead skin cells that can often sit on the surface resulting in a breakout in blackheads, whiteheads, and spots. There you have a little more detail about whether you can sleep with salicylic acid on your face. Don’t forget if you have any more questions, come and give Procoal’s Instagram a follow, you’ll find me in the direct messages.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
