"Can You Safely Use Benzoyl Peroxide After Salicylic Acid for Acne?"

Can You Use Benzoyl Peroxide After Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are both well-known acne fighting ingredients. Both of which can be regularly found formulated in over the counter products as well as prescription blends. With a variety of skincare products available, you will find it an easy task to find the right formula for you and your skin.

However, with such potent ingredients, there are some common side effects connected to these powerhouse actives. Not to worry as we will cover this in today’s blog post, and with any luck, we will also answer the question, can you use benzoyl peroxide after salicylic acid?

Before we get into the nitty gritty, let’s first have a brief recap of these ingredients and the benefits they deliver to the skin.

What is benzoyl peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide is the most potent and effective acne fighting ingredient. You’ll often find that it’s used as a prescription as many find this strength to be the most effective at combating any concerns with breakouts and blemishes, especially those that are large, red, and swollen. The way that benzoyl peroxide works differently to salicylic acid is the fact it combats the bacteria found on the skin that can form frequent breakouts and flare-ups in acne.

The main downside to using such a potent ingredient, is the risk of causing your skin some unwanted irritation, especially if you have a sensitive skin type. To avoid severe irritation, it is advised to not use benzoyl peroxide if you suffer from the following conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis. I suggest you consult with a doctor before introducing anything new into your skincare routine.

What is salicylic acid?

The most used beta hydroxy acid, BHA, salicylic acid is one of the most potent chemical exfoliants. Compared to other acids, it’s oil soluble and works deeply into the skin, reaching the bottom of the pores and unclogging them of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities.

Salicylic acid is proven to have the best results with whiteheads and blackheads. With continuous use you’ll find maintaining your skin clarity is easy and effective, thanks to the acid sloughing away dead skin cells, and ridding the skin of dirt and bacteria. The downside to this spot banishing acid is its tendency to cause itchiness, stinging, tingling, and peeling of the skin. You will also find that if overused or applied incorrectly, salicylic acid can strip the skin of all oil leaving it feeling uncomfortable and severely dry. This will lead to the skin overproducing sebum (the natural oil in the skin) which results in even more breakouts.

What goes on first benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid?

The general rule of thumb when using skincare products is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your up to the thickest. This will determine which ingredient will be applied to the skin first. To keep your skin happy and healthy, it’s best to wait about 10-15 minutes in between applications as this allows the skin enough time to rebalance and the pH levels to settle, ready for the next step in your routine.

Another way of using both ingredients in your routine is alternating the time of day you apply them to your skin. Many users favour applying salicylic acid enriched toners during your morning routine, opting to follow this with benzoyl peroxide serums to work in the evening. Ideally, you’re better off using potent ingredients during your evening routine as there is less risk of them encountering free radical damage and exposure, such as exposure to UV rays and pollution.

Should I use salicylic acid before benzoyl peroxide?

Well, it’s down to your skincare product, as I have already mentioned about applying your skincare routine from thinnest to thickest consistency. It is considered safe to use salicylic acid before benzoyl peroxide, ensuring you are confident in applying them the correct way and have built a skin tolerance.

If you have any concerns, you aren’t sure of the best way of using your products, consult with a doctor or dermatologist. You can also check out our dedicated blog post about whether you should use benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid first.

Can you use salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide for acne?

Yes, absolutely! Both ingredients are highly effective at treating acne and many find teaming them together deliver impressive results.

You’ll often find that salicylic acid is the most used out of the two ingredients, due to it being more readily available in over-the-counter formulas. Benzoyl peroxide is often suggested my dermatologists to tackle mild to moderate acne and blemishes. For more severe acne teaming both ingredients are the ultimate power duo but is something that requires time and commitment. This is because you are at risk of stripping the skin of essential sebum and can cause extreme irritation, so ensure you build your skin’s tolerance to these ingredients. You can expect to start seeing improvements in your skin clarity after 2 months, but if you suffer from the smallest irritation, stop using your products and seek medical advice.

How long should I wait to apply moisturiser after benzoyl peroxide?

After applying products enriched in benzoyl peroxide, it’s best to wait for the product to absorb fully into the skin before using a moisturiser. For an added boost, it’s thought handy to opt for a moisturiser that contains a hydrating ingredient, such as hyaluronic acid to help lock moisture into place. You should also double check the moisturiser formula contains non-comedogenic ingredients as this would be counteractive. Instead, gel-based moisturisers will not only keep the skin hydrated, but you will also apply a physical barrier on the surface of the skin. This will help with extra protection for the skin preventing any free radicals, bacteria, and every day impurities absorbing into the skin.

Is salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide better for hormonal acne?

When treating hormonal acne, benzoyl peroxide is considered the superior ingredient due to its ability to target, larger papules on the chin, cheek, and jawline. You will also find, that out of the two ingredients, benzoyl peroxide contains anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties that salicylic acid is lacking. Benzoyl peroxide can work deeply in the skin by destroying any bacteria and excess sebum that can clog the pores and cause inflammation.

There you have a little more detail about using benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid to combat acne. Don’t forget, if you have any further questions, come, and follow us on Instagram.

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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