Is It Possible to Overuse Salicylic Acid in Skincare?

Can You Use Too Much Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid, the skin ingredient that has acne quaking in its boots. It’s no wonder it’s a favourite amongst dermatologists and skincare fans. One of the most used beta hydroxy acid, BHA, it can work far into the pores, clearing them of excess sebum, bacteria, dirt, and debris that can develop into all manner of skin concerns, such as blackheads, whiteheads, and spots. You’ll find that due to the fact it’s oil soluble and has a smaller molecular size of salicylic acid it penetrates further than other favourite actives, such as glycolic acid. This is highly effective at cleansing a skin type that is oily and prone to frequent breakouts but can have a common side effect of dryness and irritation. Before we dive into today’s blog post, let’s have a quick recap of the benefits of salicylic acid and how it benefits the skin.

How can salicylic acid benefit the skin?

Loosens the bonds between dead skin cells making them easily removed from the top layer of skin, revealing vibrant, fresh skin underneath.

Clears clogged pores and congestion in the skin by penetrating deep into the lower layers of skin.

Helps to regulate sebum production and secretion making skin more manageable.

Helps to reduce inflammation and signs of redness, resulting in active, large spots improving in appearance.

Combats blemishes and breakouts, such as whiteheads, blackheads, and spots.

Chemically exfoliates the skin surface and breaks down keratin which is found in the upper surface of the skin.

If you wanted to know even more about this clever powerhouse, check out our dedicated blog post about salicylic acid and its skincare benefits.

Is it bad to use salicylic acid every day?

Not really, but only if you use it correctly. By this I mean that due to salicylic acid being a highly potent ingredient, it can often have some drying side effects.

As I have mentioned previously, the structure of the acid being oil soluble and having a smaller molecular size results in it penetrating deeply into the pores. This is hugely effective for those who have an oily skin type and prone to frequent breakouts and acne. If, however, your skin type is dry and sensitive, applying salicylic acid to the skin too often will lead to several problems. Not only will it be too irritating on the skin, but it’ll also strip the skin barrier of the essential oil and water. This will have a knock-on effect as your skin will feel it needs to produce more sebum which can result in a flare-up of breakouts and spots. This cycle will begin to feel endless if you continue to use the wrong formulas for your skin, therefore I always recommend you perform a patch test for 24 hours before applying anything on your face. This will help determine how happy your skin is with the potency of the product.

Don’t forget, if you ever have any concerns with using a product, seek the advice of a doctor or dermatologists. This should give you peace of mind and reassurance you won’t cause any further damage or irritation to the skin.

How do you know if you’re using too much salicylic acid?

There are a few tell-tale signs that your skin has been exposed to too many acids. This could be a result of layering too many acids on the skin incorrectly or using a formula that is too potent. Here are some examples of some of the signs your skin has experienced overexposure to salicylic acid.

Dryness

You may find your skin type is more on the dry side, which is why it’s important to use acids with caution. Many find salicylic acid to be too harsh for the skin if they have a dry skin type, and decide to opt for other acids, such as lactic acid or a poly hydroxy acid, also known as PHA. These have a larger molecular size and are unable to penetrate as far into the skin as salicylic acid but can provide light exfoliation to the top layers and build-up of dead skin cells.

If you have started using a salicylic acid formula you may find the skin can feel tight, uncomfortable, and dry. You may have to go to the extent of pulling funny faces as the need to stretch the skin is overwhelming.

Irritation

This is the most common sign your skin is overexposed to acids. Some may find their skin is itchy, others may notice areas of redness, flaky patches of skin, and even painful to touch. If you experience any of these, even in the mildest state, stop using your product containing salicylic acid and seek the help of a dermatologist.

Breakouts and Acne Flare-Ups

As I have already mentioned, if you are using a formula that is too harsh for the skin you will find the lipid barrier is stripped of the vital oil and water needed to remain healthy. With the skin lacking this it will kick start an overproduction of sebum which will build-up on the skin surface and clog the pores resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, and other breakouts.

If you have found yourself suffering from any of the above, it could be time to have break and rethink about your skincare routine. The usual trap many fall into is thinking they need the most potent formula to get the best exfoliation. This isn’t the case and will cause you more trouble than benefits. Take some time to explore your skin and gain a better understanding of its type and the ingredients it adores.

Can too much salicylic acid cause acne?

Yes, if you find that once you have started using a new product containing salicylic acid results in you having acne, the BHA could be contributing to this. There are two reasons this will affect your skin, for example, it could be a result of the formula working in the lower layers and unclogging the pores of dirt, excess sebum, bacteria, and other impurities. You’ll often find all this “gunk” is pushed to the surface and appear as acne. This is very common and regularly occurs around the 4-week mark of using your new product. Skincare experts tend to call this skin purging and it slowly begins to subside after 6 weeks.

The other reason your salicylic acid can cause acne is due to the reason I have previously mentioned, and the skin barrier has been stripped of its water and oil. This weakens the barrier allowing exposure to free radicals penetrating the skin and causing spots, as well as the overproduction of sebum leading to acne flare-ups.

There you have some answers to some of the questions we have received recently about using too much salicylic acid. If you have any further questions, come, and find us on Instagram, we love hearing from you!

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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