Can You Use Salicylic Acid Over Primer? Here's What You Need to Know

Can You Use Salicylic Acid Over Primer?

It’s well known that having a well-established skincare routine can affect the look of your makeup. We have received a few questions recently about using skincare ingredients and makeup products. For some it may come as a surprise to hear that your skincare can alter the way your makeup products apply to the skin, the finish they have on the skin, and how long they stay in place.

So, with that in mind, we are going to explore whether you can use salicylic acid over primer. Before we dive in, let’s have a quick refresher course about what salicylic acid is and how it benefits the skin.

What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is a member of the beta hydroxy acid (BHA) family and is the most used within skincare formulations

Often favoured by those who are prone to blemishes with an oily skin type

Works at sloughing away the top layer of dead skin cells that can build-up and develop into blackheads, whiteheads, and other blemishes

Improves a lack lustre complexion by exfoliating the skin leaving it brightened and luminous

Has a smaller molecular size meaning it can reach the lower layers of the skin and unclog the pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities

Packed with antibacterial properties salicylic acid can rid the skin of active spots and blemishes by removing the bacteria and reducing redness and swelling

Can be found in various skincare formulations, from face cleansers to serums

If you wanted to find out more about salicylic acid, you can check out one of the blog posts we have about the clever BHA.

Can I put makeup over salicylic acid?

Yes, you can put makeup over salicylic acid. As I have already mentioned, there are different types of products formulas containing the BHA that can be used daily. Whether it’s a cleanser, exfoliating toner, serum, or spot treatment. All of which can be used as normal before applying your makeup, just ensure you leave enough time for the product to absorb fully into the skin.

If you are applying a spot treatment rich in salicylic acid, be mindful that you don’t need to spread it all over the face, but instead dot it directly onto your blemishes and wait for it to dry slightly. Try to avoid applying too much of the formula onto the skin surrounding the spot as this can become too drying and irritating for the skin.

As I have already mentioned, salicylic acid is a potent blemish fighting ingredient. Not only does it neutralise any redness, but it also reduces swelling and regulates the production of sebum. This results in your makeup product, such as foundations, concealers, and even primers gain some longevity and show no signs of slipping off the skin.

Should I use primer if I have acne?

Yes absolutely, in fact, many with an oily and blemish prone skin type benefit from using a primer instead of moisturiser on their face. This is because, unless the formula for the moisturiser is water based with a lightweight gel consistency. You will sometimes find that some moisturisers are full of comedogenic ingredients that can clog the pores causing the skin to become congested with a flare-up of acne. Many prefer to swap their moisturiser for a primer as it makes a good alternative and ensures your foundation applies to your skin smoothly, seamlessly, with a flawless finish.

Just a small word of warning, some primer formulations are full of silicone which is a common ingredient but can cause the pores to become blocked with excess product, bacteria, and other impurities. To prevent any further flare-up in breakouts, ensure once you have removed your makeup, you clean your face with a cleanser enriched in actives to work deeply into the pores and exfoliating the top surface of the skin leaving it deeply cleansed and makeup free.

What is the best way to use salicylic acid?

There are a couple of ways salicylic acid can be used within your routine. Many find using a cleanser enriched in the BHA is the best way of benefiting from the acid. This is because a formula like a cleanser or face wash is rinsed from the skin meaning it avoids irritation developing on the surface, ideal for those who have just started using the ingredient in their routines. For those who have built a tolerance to salicylic acid, a serum is more likely to deliver the best results.

Salicylic acid is also known to increase the skin’s photosensitivity so always apply a daily SPF of 30 and above for protection from free radical damage, such as UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental aggressors. Alternatively, you can wait for your evening skincare routine to apply your serum, this will mean the salicylic acid is able to work on the face without the worry of encountering any free radicals. Come the morning, you’ll wake up with improved clarity and an all-over healthy complexion.

How do I keep my foundation from clogging my pores?

The best way of preventing your foundation from clogging your pores is to avoid heavy foundation formulas. As tempting as it may be to opt for a full coverage foundation, the best way to gain full coverage without clogging the pores is to use a sheer and light coverage. Apply an even amount of the product over the skin then go back over any areas that require more coverage using a dapping motion of your brush or sponge. This helps build coverage without the face looking cakey.

With this lighter coverage and product, you will find it is easier to cleanse the skin, ridding it of all traces of foundations, debris, and other impurities. Makeup remover wipes, although considered quick and easy, are unable to fully cleanse the skin. For the best results and to stop your foundation clogging your pores, use a cleanser applied with your hands, work the product into the skin and then remove it with a clean, damp flannel or muslin cloth. Follow this with a swipe of a cotton disc soaked in an exfoliating toner, then restore hydration back into the skin with a serum packed with hyaluronic acid.

If you have any further questions about using salicylic acid over primer, come and follow us over on Instagram for more.

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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