Can Salicylic Acid Cure Acne?
If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you’ve probably heard of the popular skincare ingredient salicylic acid. Known for its ability to penetrate deep into pores and help remove excess sebum, dirt, bacteria and other impurities.
Salicylic acid, a member of the family of chemical peels known as beta hydroxy acids, also works on the outer surface of the skin to remove buildup of dead skin cells, dirt, and debris. What often happens is that all of these
blemishes turn into some sort of problem, leading to blemishes, acne, flaky patches of skin, and a dull, lackluster complexion.
If you want to learn more about how salicylic acid works on the skin and how it affects the overall look and feel of your complexion, you can check out the dedicated What Is Salicylic Acid blog post. Now let’s answer the
question in today’s blog post: Is salicylic acid good for acne? So, let’s dig in and find out more!
Does Salicylic Acid Cause More Acne?
In summary, yes, salicylic acid may cause more acne, but there are several factors. Below are some examples of possible causes of increased acne breakouts.
You are using the wrong concentrate. Before incorporating acids into your routine, it’s important to focus on BHA concentrate in your formulas. To get a better idea of your product’s effectiveness, review the ingredient list.
When salicylic acid appears in the first five active ingredients listed, it indicates that effective levels are present.
This means that BHA helps fight acne and breakouts. If you find yourself using a salicylic acid-fortified product and find it has no effect on your skin, you may need to switch to another, more effective formula. you don’t use
enough
Salicylic acid usually requires you to slowly introduce it into your daily routine at first. Once your skin develops a tolerance to the acid, you can use it more often, improving skin clarity and keeping the skin barrier
protected and functioning optimally.
This ingredient is not for you. If you notice no improvement in your breakouts and acne problems after using a salicylic acid-fortified product for more than 4 weeks, it may be a sign that the ingredients in the product are not
right for you. You may want to consult your doctor or dermatologist to find another ingredient or product that addresses this issue without causing any adverse reactions.
That might be a sign it’s working. Believe it or not, your acne can get worse before it gets better. You’ll often find that your acne seems to get worse once you start using salicylic acid in your daily skincare routine. As
daunting as it may sound, it’s a sign that the powerful BHA is working deep into the pores to remove excess sebum, bacteria, dirt and debris.
When all this “dirt” is pushed to the surface of the skin, the short-term problem is breakouts of acne and pimples, but after 4 weeks of regular use, these problems slowly improve. How long does it take for salicylic acid acne
to work?
As you can see, I briefly answered this question in the previous section. It usually takes about four weeks before you notice visible changes in skin tone and a reduction in active spots and acne breakouts. You may see results
sooner, sometimes longer depending on the severity of the breakout, and you will need to use the product for about 6 to 8 weeks to see noticeable improvement.
If you notice no noticeable improvement within this time period, it may be an indication that you should consult your doctor for alternative ingredients or products. I also recommend that you do a 24 hour patch test before
applying any new product to your face to avoid any reactions.
Which acid is best for stain removal?
Salicylic acid is often considered the best acid for acne and acne by dermatologists and skincare professionals. There are more potent ingredients, such as benzoyl peroxide, which can be very effective in fighting acne. However,
salicylic acid is favored by many and comes in a variety of formulas that are simple and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Salicylic acid is found in over-the-counter products like toners, cleansers, and serums, usually in concentrations of 0.5% to 2%. For higher concentrations, chemical peels or professional facials that contain a percentage of
pharmaceutical-grade acids are options. It is believed that chemical peels or facials are the best starting point for clear skin.
Can I use salicylic acid every day?
Yes, once your skin has developed a tolerance to the strong acid, it is considered safe to use salicylic acid on a daily basis. To achieve this, it’s best to start off by only using products containing salicylic acid 2-3 times a
week, preferably at night, as it is known to increase photosensitivity of the skin and increase the risk of sun damage on the face.
To avoid this, apply SPF daily for extra skin protection. If you find that your skin is still comfortable after using salicylic acid two to three times a week, you can start using it daily. For more information on daily
salicylic acid use, see our dedicated blog post.
Is salicylic acid good for acne scars?
Yes, due to the exfoliating properties of the acid, you will notice that the hyperpigmentation of the remaining acne scars will be reduced and less visible to the naked eye. If you want to get rid of acne scars and dark spots
quickly and effectively, it’s best to consult a professional who can help you with a range of chemical peels and facials.
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.
