How does salicylic acid work?

One of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), salicylic acid is derived from willow bark. Often favored by those with oily and acne-prone skin, this chemical peel works slightly differently to its alpha hydroxy acid cousins, such as glycolic and lactic acid. The main difference is that it is oil-soluble and has a very small molecule size, which means it can penetrate deeper into the skin. As a result, it can open up pores, clear out excess sebum, impurities, bacteria, and debris, leaving skin clearer and preventing frequent breakouts.

This is just a review of what salicylic acid does for the skin, but if you want to learn more about its benefits, you can read our dedicated blog post on smart BHAs here at The Beauty Insiders.

Now let’s turn to the topic of today’s blog post and look at how salicylic acid works in more detail.

How long does it take for salicylic acid to work?

When you introduce salicylic acid into your daily routine, you’ll find that there are many different formulas to choose from. It usually takes up to 8 weeks to see noticeable improvements in overall skin tone and clarity.

The salicylic acid formula of this product also has an overall impact on how long it takes for problem areas of the skin, such as spots and blackheads, to improve. For example, if you choose an exfoliating toner with salicylic acid, you’ll find that it’s gentle enough for daily use and takes longer to work than a BHA-rich serum, as these serums typically have a higher percentage of salicylic acid, meaning they have a more potent formula. They also typically stay on the skin’s surface longer.

Is it harmful to use salicylic acid every day?

Not really, but only if you use the gentler formulas available over-the-counter, as they have a lower acid content. However, if you use a prescription product, your doctor may recommend using the product in moderation, as overuse can cause facial irritation, redness, severe dryness, and discomfort. You’ll also notice that your skin is stripped of the important oils (also known as sebum) that it naturally produces. This causes the skin to produce too much sebum, which can lead to a variety of problems, from an imbalanced pH to oily skin to breakouts and acne.

If you have questions about using salicylic acid and the right frequency for daily use, consult a doctor or dermatologist to make sure you and your skin are happy with the results.

Does salicylic acid really work?

Yes, absolutely. If you want to fight mild acne, including blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid can deliver impressive results for your skin and give you an overall clearer complexion. Not only does it fight existing breakouts, it can also prevent them from happening. However, if your acne is much more severe, salicylic acid may not be enough to treat your skin. Instead, I recommend trying stronger skincare ingredients like retinol or benzoyl peroxide. As I said, these are two very potent ingredients. It is important to consult a doctor or dermatologist to make sure you can safely use either of these ingredients. Always do a 24-hour patch test before applying to your face.

Why you shouldn’t use salicylic acid?

If you have very dry skin that tends to get sensitive, you should avoid salicylic acid altogether. This is because BHA has the smallest molecule size of all chemical peel types. This means it can penetrate deepest into the skin compared to lactic acid, which can only work on the outer layers. This means that salicylic acid can be very drying and could spell disaster, especially if you have dry skin type. However, if you are prone to sensitivity and dryness but still want to benefit from a chemical peel, your best bet is to use polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which are the gentlest acids for daily use. You can read more about their benefits in this blog post.

Does salicylic acid remove blackheads?

Yes, it does! Blackheads are caused by pores being clogged with excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, sediment, and impurities. The reason they turn black is that the “goo” reaches the surface and is oxidized by oxygen. Many people often think that physical peels are the best solution because they feel like the blackheads are being removed from the outer surface. In fact, the root cause of blackheads is deep in the lower layers of the skin, which is where peels or physical exfoliants can’t reach. This is where salicylic acid comes into play, as it can penetrate to the bottom of the pores, remove all the unsightly sediment, remove dead skin cells, and remove blackheads from the skin.

Can I leave salicylic acid on overnight?

Yes, you can leave salicylic acid on your skin overnight, especially if it’s in a serum or moisturizer. Just be careful not to go higher than 2% as this can be harsh on the skin, causing irritation, redness and discomfort. When morning comes, simply rinse off any remaining product and go about your normal routine. Of course, don’t forget to apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day to protect your skin from UV rays, even if it looks like a cloudy day.

So you can learn more about how salicylic acid works here. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and hit me up in a DM if you have any other skincare questions.

Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and is derived from willow bark. This chemical peel, often favored by those with oily and acne-prone skin, works a little differently to its alpha hydroxy acid cousins, such as glycolic and lactic acid. The main difference is that it’s oil-soluble and has a very small molecule size, which means it can penetrate deeper into the skin. Because of this, it opens up pores and removes excess sebum, impurities, bacteria, and debris, leaving your skin clearer and fighting frequent breakouts.
This is just a review of what salicylic acid does for the skin, but if you want to learn more about its benefits, you can read our dedicated blog post on The Beauty Insiders about smart BHAs.

Now let’s turn to the topic of today’s blog post and look at how salicylic acid works in more detail.

How long does salicylic acid take to work?

The salicylic acid formula of the product also has an overall impact on how long it takes for problem areas of the skin like spots and blackheads to improve. For example, if you choose an exfoliating toner with salicylic acid, you’ll find that it’s gentle enough for daily use and takes longer to work than a BHA-rich serum, as these serums usually have a higher percentage of salicylic acid, which means they have a more potent formula. They also usually stay on the surface of the skin longer.

Is there a downside to taking salicylic acid every day?

This is not true, but only if you use the milder formulas available over-the-counter, as these contain lower levels of acid. However, if you use a prescription product, your doctor may recommend using the product in moderation, as overuse can cause facial irritation, redness, severe dryness, and discomfort. You will also notice that your skin is deprived of the important oils (also known as sebum) that are naturally produced on the skin. This can cause the skin to overproduce sebum, which can lead to a variety of problems, from an imbalanced pH to oily skin to breakouts and acne.

If you have questions about the right frequency of using salicylic acid and daily use, consult a doctor or dermatologist to ensure that you and your skin are happy with the results.

Does salicylic acid really work?

Yes, absolutely. If you want to fight mild acne, including blackheads and whiteheads, salicylic acid can bring impressive results to your skin and give you an overall clearer complexion. Not only does it fight existing outbreaks, but it can also prevent them from occurring. However, if your acne is much more severe, salicylic acid may not be strong enough to treat your skin. Instead, I recommend trying a stronger skincare ingredient like retinol or benzoyl peroxide. As I said, these are two very potent ingredients. It is very important to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to make sure that you can safely use both of these ingredients. Always do a 24-hour patch test before applying to your face.

Why shouldn’t you use salicylic acid?

If you have very dry skin and tend to get sensitive easily, you should avoid salicylic acid altogether. This is because BHA has the smallest molecule size of all chemical peel types. This means that it penetrates the deepest into the skin compared to lactic acid, which can only work on the outer layers. This means that salicylic acid can be very drying and lead to disaster. Especially if your skin type is dry. However, if you are prone to sensitivity and dryness but still want to benefit from chemical peels, your best bet is to use polyhydroxy acids (PHAs), which are the gentlest acids for the skin and are a daily routine. You can read more about their benefits in this blog post.

Does salicylic acid remove blackheads?

Yes, it does! Blackheads are caused by pores becoming clogged with excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. They turn black because the “goo” reaches the surface and is oxidized by oxygen. Many people often think that physical peels are the best option because they feel like the blackheads are being removed from the outer surface. In fact, the root cause of blackheads lies deep in the lower layers of the skin, which cannot be reached by peels or physical exfoliants. This is where salicylic acid comes into play, as it can penetrate into the pores and remove all the unsightly deposits. It also removes dead skin cells and clears the blackheads from the skin.

Can I leave salicylic acid on overnight?

Yes, you can leave salicylic acid on your skin overnight, especially if it is in a serum or moisturizer. Just be careful not to use concentrations higher than 2%, as this can be harsh on the skin, causing irritation, redness, and discomfort. When morning comes, simply rinse off any remaining product and follow up with your regular products. daily routine, and of course don’t forget to apply SPF 30 or higher sunscreen every day to protect your skin from UV rays, even if it looks cloudy.

Now you know a little more about how salicylic acid works. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and reach me in a DM if you have any other skincare questions.

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.

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