Can You Use Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid Together?

Can You Use Salicylic Acid and Glycolic Acid at The Same Time?

If you are familiar with skincare, you would already understand how both these powerhouse ingredients work on the skin and the benefits you can expect to see. The question we can’t help but wonder though, can you use salicylic acid and glycolic acid at the same time? Let’s investigate further and find out more about the most effective way of benefiting from this skin reviving duo.

This next section will involve a brief refresher on what these ingredients do for the skin, if you are pretty clued up with what glycolic acid and salicylic acid is, you can skip to the next part.

What is Glycolic Acid?

Derived from sugar cane, glycolic acid is one of the most used alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Often found in an array of skincare formulas, this potent chemical exfoliant works at sloughing away the layer of dead skin cells that sits on the surface of the skin. Signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles are visibly reduced, hyperpigmentation and dark spots minimised, blemishes and spots become less frequent with the skin having more clarity.

Once the layer of dead skin cells is removed you will see a noticeable difference in the overall appearance of your complexion and health of your skin. If you wanted to know more about glycolic acid and the benefits it delivers, check out our dedicated blog post.

What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is often considered to work in a similar way to glycolic acid, but they are in fact cousins, more than siblings. The main difference between the acids is the fact that salicylic acid is oil soluble meaning it can reach further down into the pores. It can unclog the pores of debris, dirt, and excess sebum. When the pores are blocked with these impurities, you’ll find your skin is littered with blemishes, such as blackheads and whiteheads. Those who have an oily skin type and are prone to frequent breakouts will benefit the most from salicylic acid.

Due to its molecular size being considerably smaller than other acids, it can penetrate deeper meaning for those with dry and sensitive skin will likely suffer from severe dryness and irritation. Therefore, we always suggest consulting with your doctor or GP to ensure you are using the best ingredient for your skin. Furthermore, you can also perform a patch test for 24 hours to double check you will benefit from introducing salicylic acid into your skincare routine.

If you wanted to find out more about salicylic acid, check out our dedicated blog post all about the clever BHA.

Now we’ve had a quick recap, we can dive right into finding out more about these acids and how to use them.

Can glycolic acid be mixed with salicylic acid?

You can certainly use glycolic acid and salicylic acid together, but we would suggest avoiding mixing them together. This is because combining such potent ingredients will cause a severe reaction to the skin, as well as potentially damaging the skin barrier. Once the protective skin barrier is compromised, you will find it is more susceptible to damage because of free radical exposure, such as UV rays, pollution, central heating, and other environmental aggressors.

You can effectively use them together by alternating the stage in your routine you choose to apply your skincare. If you leave at least 10 minutes in between applications for the skin’s pH levels to rebalance and settle, this will avoid unwanted irritation.

Can you use salicylic acid and glycolic acid in the same day?

Yes, you can but as I have already suggested you need to leave enough time for your skin to prepare itself for the next application. Some find that the best way of using glycolic acid and salicylic acid on the same day is to opt for applying a face wash or exfoliating toner enriched in glycolic acid during your morning routine, followed by a serum packed with salicylic acid in the evening.

This works for many as the glycolic acid toner rids the surface of any dead skin cells leaving the skin fully absorbent for the following steps in your routine. Leaving the salicylic acid to use in the evening whilst it works undisturbed from further exposure to free radicals, such as UV rays and pollution. You’ll wake up with a rejuvenated and glowing complexion with clarity and absorbent skin, just ensure you apply a daily SPF of 30 and above to combat any UV damage.

Can I use salicylic acid in the morning and glycolic acid at night?

Absolutely, as I have already mentioned in the previous section, alternating when to apply the ingredients is an easy way of benefiting from each acid’s properties. Although in the previous section I have described how using salicylic acid in the evening is less problematic, many find using it in their morning routine works best for their routine. Using salicylic acid in the morning can be particularly helpful for those who have an oily skin type as the BHA will work deep in the pores and help regulate the sebum production. This will result in the skin staying more matte for a longer amount of time and makeup remaining in place.

Whichever way works for you, just ensure you are using the right ingredients and best formulas for you and your skin. Just because one product works wonders for a friend, doesn’t mean it’ll work for you, pay close attention to how your skin is reacting.

Can I use two products with salicylic acid?

Not really, using too many products containing salicylic acid as this can lead to unwanted skin irritation. This is because multiple percentages of the potent BHA will be too harsh for the skin, even those that have an oily skin, or have built a tolerance to salicylic acid will experience redness, rashes, and increased sensitivity.

You can find out more about what not to use with salicylic acid on a previous blog post that explains everything in more detail.

There you have a little more detail about using salicylic acid and glycolic acid at the same time, don’t forget if you have any further questions, you can find 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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