Can you sleep with salicylic acid on your face?
If you’ve had blemishes in the past, you’ve probably used products containing salicylic acid, whether you realised it or not. Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and has a reputation for being effective in fighting common breakouts and acne-prone skin.
The question is whether this active ingredient can be used on the face overnight. Will it still deliver the desired results, or is it too harsh on the skin, causing dryness, flaking and irritation. Let’s explore how this ingredient works and find out if you can sleep with salicylic acid on your face.
Don’t forget: If you want to learn more about salicylic acid and its effects on the skin, you can read our dedicated blog post 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 needed. Oily skin and acne-prone skin benefit the most from using BHAs. If you have a dry skin type that occasionally breaks out, you may need to find a product that doesn’t stay on the skin for too long and should avoid leaving it on your face overnight.
If you have used salicylic acid before and your skin has developed a tolerance to it
When it comes to serums and moisturizers, you’ll find that they are usually formulated with 1% to 2% salicylic acid, which is considered low enough to leave on the skin overnight and rinse off in the morning. I strongly advise against using medical or professional-grade formulas with 15% or more for overnight use. These products are intended for skin treatments such as chemical peels and are best used to give your complexion a vibrant, clear, and flawless purity.
Does salicylic acid work overnight?
Yes, salicylic acid can tackle all your pimple and acne issues overnight. Due to its exfoliating, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, it fights any blemishes that are active on the surface of the skin, working underneath to prevent potential breakouts from surfacing.
You’ll notice that serum products containing salicylic acid contain a higher percentage of BHA, which can cause drying of the skin. Therefore, it’s best to combine any skin care products containing salicylic acid with a hydrating ingredient such as hyaluronic acid to keep the surface of the skin plump, hydrated, and youthful.
How long should salicylic acid be left on the face?
A lot depends on the product used, as they stay on the skin for different lengths of time. If you’re just adding salicylic acid to your routine, it might be a good idea to start with an exfoliating toner, applying it to the skin by soaking a cotton pad, and then applying the formula to your face. It, along with salicylic acid-infused cleansers, are another option, as both products either rinse off the face or get absorbed quickly.
If you choose to use a serum, facial oil, or moisturizer, they typically stay on the skin longer. Some skin care experts recommend using salicylic acid products overnight to allow the ingredient to work without being disrupted by free radicals like pollution or UV rays.
Should salicylic acid be applied in the morning or at night?
You can use salicylic acid twice a day, morning and night. This keeps your skin clean and free of dirt while fighting acne-causing bacteria. Using a BHA twice a day really depends on your skin type. Oily, acne-prone skin especially benefits from salicylic acid.
For those with slightly dry and sensitive skin, it’s best to avoid salicylic acid altogether, as the amount can be too much and can sometimes strip your skin of the essential oils it needs to stay healthy. In order for your skin barrier to function properly, it needs the right amount of water and oil to ensure it’s strong enough to fight off free radical damage. By stripping away this oil, you weaken your skin barrier and promote sebum production (the skin’s natural oil), which can lead to breakouts of acne, blackheads, and pimples.
When does salicylic acid start to work?
If you use salicylic acid products consistently for 6-8 weeks, your breakouts can hopefully improve. If you don’t notice any changes in your skin after this time, your next step should be to visit your doctor or dermatologist to look for alternative treatment options that will hopefully be more effective.
Is it normal to get a rash after using salicylic acid?
Yes, it’s completely normal for your skin to break out after using salicylic acid. This rash, also known as detoxification, occurs because of the way BHA works on the skin. Since salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it can penetrate deep into the base layers to remove excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from your pores. This causes all the “goo” to be pushed to the surface of the skin at once, leading to an acne-like rash.
Does salicylic acid remove blackheads?
Yes, it absolutely does! Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used ingredients for combating blemishes and acne-prone skin. It breaks down impurities, removes excess sebum, and removes the buildup of dead skin cells that often settle on the surface and cause blackheads, pimples, and breakouts.
Here’s more on whether you can sleep with salicylic acid on your face. If you have any other questions, don’t forget to follow Procoal on Instagram. You can reach me via private message.
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.