Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser with lactic acid?
When it comes to skincare formulas, you have undoubtedly heard of the terms AHA and BHA. Over the past few years, our knowledge and love of these chemical peels has taken over the beauty world, and now it is difficult to imagine a skincare routine without at least one acid.
Now, if you want to learn more about what AHAs and BHAs are and what benefits they bring to the skin, you can read our blog post. In today’s blog post, we will take a look together at whether you can use a salicylic acid cleanser with lactic acid.
What not to mix with lactic acid?
If you use lactic acid, it is best not to apply it to the skin together with vitamin C. The reason for this is that the pH level of each ingredient is low, as they are both acidic. When layering products, it is important to remember that the effective combination of ingredients depends on the complementary pH levels. However, a reasonable skincare routine should actually contain both vitamin C and lactic acid. If you want to use both at the same time, I recommend using a serum enriched with vitamin C in the morning. The antioxidants in the formula help fight free radical damage, such as from UV radiation, pollution, and environmental influences. You can use a lactic acid toner in your nighttime routine to remove impurities, dirt, bacteria, and dead skin cells that build up on your skin.
Should I use a cleanser with salicylic acid?
Yes and no, it depends a lot on your skin type. Those with oily or blemish-prone skin types will find that they can incorporate salicylic acid into their routine without causing irritation. For the most effective cleanser and face wash formulas, it should be between 0.5% and 2%. This active salicylic acid content penetrates into the lower layers of the skin and deep into the pores to remove excess sebum, impurities, dirt, and bacteria.
The benefit of using a cleanser with salicylic acid is that it rinses off the skin. This means that the potent acid won’t remain on the skin and cause dryness and irritation.
Can I use a cleanser with salicylic acid and AHA?
Yes, but be careful. If you have dry skin that tends to be sensitive, you should avoid over-exfoliating your skin when using salicylic acid and other AHAs like lactic acid.
If you have combination or oily skin, a blend of acids may be your secret to clear skin. Since lactic acid is one of the gentlest AHAs, it won’t penetrate too deeply into the skin to cause irritation. It also has the unique advantage of drawing water to the skin’s surface and locking it there, keeping the barrier fully functioning and at its healthiest. In order to use both ingredients in your daily routine and reap the benefits, it’s important to allow about 15 minutes between applications. This is generally considered the correct amount of time to allow the skin’s pH to rebalance.
Is it OK to drink lactic acid every day?
Lactic acid is not recommended for daily use in strong active amounts. However, lower percentages in rinse-off formulas such as face washes, cleansers, and exfoliating toners are considered sufficient to effectively cleanse the skin with minimal side effects. Even if you find that your skin is fairly strong and you’re used to using acids in your daily routine, you should immediately stop using the product and consult a doctor or healthcare professional if even the slightest redness, dryness, irritation, or peeling of the skin occurs. For more information, see the dedicated blog post on lactic acid on the Skin School blog.
Is it OK to use salicylic acid every day?
Only use salicylic acid daily if you are sure your skin can tolerate regular use. Since this BHA is one of the most effective chemical peels, I recommend using it three times a week at first. If there are no signs of irritation, hot flashes, redness, or dryness, you can use it more frequently if necessary. If you have any concerns or questions about using salicylic acid, consult your primary care physician to better understand and ensure that your skin can tolerate regular use of salicylic acid. If you want to learn more about salicylic acid, you can read a dedicated blog post about all its benefits.
Can I use lactic acid every night?
Yes, it is widely believed that using chemical peels at night is the best way to get the full benefits. Because while you sleep, the acid can work on the surface of the skin to remove impurities and deposits without having to fight free radical damage and the effects of UV rays and pollution.
If you use lactic acid at night, I recommend combining it with a serum rich in hyaluronic acid. This provides the ultimate hydration boost to the skin and ensures that the protective barrier is filled with the right levels of water and oil.
Can I use lactic acid on acne?
Yes, you can. While salicylic acid is considered the most effective ingredient for fighting acne, lactic acid is a great alternative for those with dry but not pristine skin. Lactic acid gently removes bacteria and dead skin cells from the skin that can cause breakouts and acne.
Now that you know, hopefully I’ve cleared up some of your confusion about whether or not you can use a salicylic cleanser with lactic acid. Follow us on Instagram for new product launches, discounts, and expert skin tips!
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.
