How to Use Salicylic Acid?

If your skin type is oily and blemish-prone, then someone may have recommended you a product or range that contains salicylic acid. One of the most commonly used BHAs, salicylic acid is a highly effective and powerful ingredient that can easily eliminate the buildup of dead skin cells, bacteria, dirt, debris, and other impurities. When left on the skin, they often lead to breakouts, blemishes, and acne.

Compared to its counterparts such as glycolic and lactic acids, salicylic acid has a very small molecule size, which means it can penetrate deeper into the skin. It is also oil-soluble, so it can easily penetrate excess sebum. However, this comes with some side effects, as excessive or incorrect use can cause the skin to be deprived of the essential oils it needs to stay balanced and healthy. Is this why people with dry or extremely sensitive skin should avoid salicylic acid in their daily skincare routine?

Here’s a quick introduction to how salicylic acid works on the skin, but if you want to learn more, check out our article on the benefits of salicylic acid for skin care. Now let’s take a closer look at the uses of salicylic acid.

What’s the best way to use salicylic acid?

That depends on your daily routine and how you handle salicylic acid in it. Salicylic acid is found in a range of skincare products, from face washes to night serums. Whatever you want to include in your routine, you must first consider your skin type, skin concerns, and the skin care routine you already have in place.

Face washes and cleansers

They typically contain the lowest levels of salicylic acid, which means they are effective products for daily use to combat the buildup of excess oil, dirt, and bacteria. They are also a great product to start with if you are new to salicylic acid because it rinses off the skin, which means they don’t stay on the face for too long, helping to avoid irritation or dryness.

Exfoliating toners

The benefit of using an exfoliating toner after cleansing is that it removes any remaining dead skin cells, debris, and impurities, leaving you with a radiant, vibrant, and healthy-looking complexion. Many people find exfoliating toners to be the most effective and easiest product to incorporate into their daily routine.

Serums and moisturizers

Serums and moisturizers contain the highest concentrations of salicylic acid, so they are often favored by people who want quick results and whose skin has already developed a tolerance for the acid. Since salicylic acid often causes increased sensitivity to light on the skin, it’s best to use a BHA-rich serum and moisturizer as part of your evening routine. You should then use an SPF of 30 or higher in your morning routine to further protect your skin from UV radiation.

You can also book a professional chemical peel at an established spa or salon. It contains medical-grade salicylic acid, which is the most effective form of BHA compared to over-the-counter formulas. This is a good option for people who have a number of different skin issues and want to effectively address them all with one treatment.

As with all skincare products, I always recommend consulting a doctor or dermatologist to make sure salicylic acid is good for you and your skin while avoiding any adverse reactions.

How long should salicylic acid be left on your face?

As I just mentioned, this depends on the formula and product you use that contains salicylic acid. Keep in mind that BHAs can cause severe dryness, itching, and irritation to the skin. It’s thought to be best to start with a face cleanser and exfoliating toner to build up your skin’s tolerance. Once your skin gets used to salicylic acid, you can move on to more potent formulas like serums and moisturizers.

Whatever you choose, it’s always best to do a 24-hour patch test before applying any product all over your skin. This is the best way to assess whether your skin will benefit or be irritated by the product.

How to Use Salicylic Acid in Your Daily Life?

Salicylic acid can be used in a variety of ways in your daily life. As you know, cleansers and toners are considered the easiest ways to introduce the acid into your daily life. For oily and blemish-prone skin, using a serum can provide more ideal and faster results.

If you want to learn more about how to incorporate salicylic acid into your daily life, you can read our dedicated blog post on how to incorporate salicylic acid serums into your daily life.

How to Use Salicylic Acid in Your Daily Life?

You can use salicylic acid twice a day when using a cleanser or toner, as these are the gentlest formulas. You can use stronger products daily, but only if you’re sure your skin is happy with them.

With powerful ingredients like salicylic acid, it’s best not to overuse products containing BHAs, as oils may be stripped from the skin. Not only can this cause your skin to feel tight, uncomfortable or itchy, but you’ll also find that acne and blemishes can spread. The skin barrier can also be weakened, leading to further damage such as dark spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity.

Does salicylic acid need to be washed off?

No, not necessarily, as this depends on the salicylic acid product being used. For example, serums are best left on the face for as long as possible, which means they’re perfect for use at night. This means that while you get your beauty sleep, your skin will benefit from the BHA, giving you a healthy complexion in the morning.

You can find out more about using salicylic acid here. If you have any other skincare questions, follow 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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