I have acne. Like, I have a lot of acne. I’ve been valiantly battling terrible hormonal acne since I was 22, so this isn’t a comment on someone who gets annual breakouts.
This is a comment from someone who has two month-old cysts on either side of her chin, just like Urusula and her eel friend in The Little Mermaid. (Even shooting the dermatologist couldn’t kill them.)
My acne journey is a long story that I won’t bore you with here, but the CliffsNotes say that my treatment options, including actively trying to get pregnant, were extremely limited, leaving me battling almost permanent acne on my chin. It
s sucks, but the upside is that I actually know a lot about acne treatments.
I love the idea of acne patches. They’re so cute and fun and silly that they actually make you laugh when you break out in a rash, which can be a good thing if you’ve been crying about your skin for days.
However, they aren’t particularly effective for my particular type of acne, which is usually pretty stubborn, deep-rooted cysts and pustules. I’ve tried every topical product, serum, spot treatment, and pretty much anything else I could find on Google, so Kiehl’s True Targeted Acne Clearance Solution ($30) is definitely my favorite product — adding yet another viral hit to TikTok that quickly shot to the top of my list. The name intrigued me, and the brand
advertised them as liquid acne patches, which felt a bit like a buzzy marketing statement, but Kiehl’s has long been one of the most popular and trusted skincare brands on the market, so I watched it all
With this new introduction, acne is gone.
Product: The True Targeted Acne Solution isn’t an acne patch in the traditional sense. It’s not in the shape of a cloud, star, or invisible sticker. The brand calls it “liquid patch technology” that creates a “breathable seal” that you can apply under sunscreen or makeup; in short, it’s more like a serum than a spot treatment or acne patch.
With a whopping 2% salicylic acid, the product shrinks pimples, soothes redness, and helps fade acne marks once the breakout has subsided. Kiehl’s also adds 4% niacinamide to visibly brighten and balance skin, and 0.2% licorice root to relieve stress acne.
The product is claimed to visibly lighten the color of pimples in two hours, reduce the size of pimples in 24 hours, and reduce the appearance of blemishes in four weeks. Sounds good, right? I put it to the test during a severe mid-term breakout to see if it could stand up to prescription medications. My review: Use is as easy as a topical treatment or acne patch. Kiehl’s recommends putting a drop of the product on your fingertips and applying directly to affected pimples, or applying a thin layer as the last step of your skincare routine. (But don’t rub too much!) Since I have a lot of active acne on my chin right now, I do two things: I apply it directly to some particularly bad pustules and apply a thin layer to my cysts. Apply it thinly. I now know that I can’t expect magical results from anything I do with my acne; I use a few prescription products to tide me over until I can resume my tried-and-true anti-acne regimen, and rarely try other products. When I tested this product, I was in the middle of my period, so the lower half of my face was very uncomfortable. I applied the liquid directly to several inflamed areas on my face, including a pimple on my upper lip and a subcutaneous cyst on my chin. Yes, these before-and-after photos still look pretty intense in terms of color, but one thing I was particularly impressed with was the acne-clearing solution. After a few nights of use, two huge, stubborn cysts that wouldn’t go away even after injections at the dermatologist looked and felt a lot smaller, as did the rest of my acne-prone lower face. They were much easier to cover up with concealer. I may not have experienced a miraculous acne transformation where all my acne disappeared overnight, but I wasn’t expecting a miracle; I just wanted to see what this little bottle could do for my big zits. Very impressed.
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.
