Is Salicylic Acid Good for Spots?
If you have a skin type that is oily and prone to blemishes, chances are you’ve heard of the popular skincare ingredient salicylic acid. Known for its ability to work deeply in the pores and help unclog them of any build-up of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities.
As a member of the family of chemical exfoliants known as Beta Hydroxy Acids, salicylic acid is also able to work on the outer surface of the skin and slough away the build-up of dead skin cells, dirt, and debris. Something that will often occur is all these impurities will develop into a few concerns, from blemishes, acne, flaky patches of skin, and a dull, lack lustre complexion. If you are wanting to know a little more about how salicylic acid works on the skin and how it benefits the overall look and feel of the complexion, you can check out the dedicated blog post about “What is Salicylic Acid?”
Now, let’s turn our attention to answering the question in today’s blog post, is salicylic acid good for spots? So, let’s dive in and find out more!
Can salicylic acid cause more acne?
In a word, yes, salicylic acid could be causing more acne, but there are several contributing factors that can contribute to this. Here are some examples of the potential causes for an increase in the acne flare-up you’re suffering from.
You’re using the wrong concentrate
Focusing on the concentrate of the BHA in the formulation is important to take into consideration before introducing the acid into your routine. To get a better understanding of how potent your product is, is to look at the ingredients list, if salicylic acid features in the first five listed active ingredients shows there is an effective level. This means the BHA will help combat the concerns with acne and breakouts. If you find you’re using a product enriched in salicylic acid and find it to not have any impact on the skin, you may need to switch to another more potent formula.
You’re not using it enough
With salicylic acid often requires you to introduce it slowly into your routine to begin with. Once your skin has built a tolerance towards the acid, you’ll be able to use it more frequently leaving your skin clarity improved and protected skin barrier fully protected and functioning to the best of its ability.
It’s the wrong ingredient for you
If you find your concerns with breakouts and acne are not improved after using a salicylic acid enriched product for over 4 weeks, this could be a sign it’s the wrong ingredient for you. You may need to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to find another ingredient or product to combat the problem without causing any unwanted reactions.
It could be a sign it’s working
Believe it or not, your acne may get worse before it gets better. You’ll often find acne appears to worsen once you have started using salicylic acid in your daily skincare routine. As disheartening as it may feel, this is a sign that the potent BHA is working deep in the pores and unclogging them of excess sebum, bacteria, dirt, and debris. Pushing all this “gunk” to the surface of the skin will result in a flare-up in acne and spots as a short-term problem but will slowly begin to clear-up with consistent use after 4 weeks.
How long does it take for salicylic acid to work on spots?
As you can see, I have briefly answered this in the previous section, it will usually take about 4 weeks for you to see noticeable difference in the complexion and reduction in active spots and acne flare-ups. You may find that you see results quicker, or sometimes a little longer depending how severe the breakouts are and will require the product to be used about 6 to 8 weeks to see a marked improvement.
If you find there is no visible improvement during that time, this may be a sign you should consult with a doctor to find alternative ingredients or products to use. I would also suggest you perform a patch test for a new product for 24 hours before applying it to the face to avoid any reactions.
Which acid is best for spots?
Salicylic acid is generally considered by dermatologists and skincare experts alike to be the best acid to use for spots and acne. There are more potent ingredients available, such as benzoyl peroxide that are highly effective at combating acne. However, salicylic acid is preferred by many and found in various formulations that are simple and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
With salicylic acid found in over the counter products, such as toners, cleansers, and serums often with concentrates of 0.5 to 2%. For higher concentrates there is the option of having a chemical peel or professional facial will include a medical grade percentage of the acid. Starting with a chemical peel or facial is thought to be the best starting point to gaining skin clarity.
Can I use salicylic acid every day?
Yes, it’s considered safe for you to use salicylic acid every day once your skin has built its tolerance to the powerhouse acid. To do this it’s best to start by only using the product containing salicylic acid 2-3 times a week, preferably in the evenings as it’s known for increasing photosensitivity of the skin increasing the risk of sun damage to the face. To avoid this, you should apply a daily SPF for added skin protection. If you find your skin remains comfortable after using salicylic acid 2-3 times a week, you can then start using it daily. For more information about using salicylic acid every day, check out our dedicated blog post.
Is salicylic acid good for acne scars?
Yes, it is, due to the exfoliating properties of the acid you’ll find that the pigmentation of remaining acne scarring begins to reduce and become less noticeable to the naked eye. If you find your acne scarring and dark spots are something you are wanting to get rid of quickly and effectively, the best idea is to consult with a professional who will be able to perform a series of chemical peels and facials to help.
There you have a little more detail about salicylic acid and whether it’s good for spots. As I have mentioned already, check with a doctor before trying any new formulas on the skin to avoid negative reactions. Don’t forget, if you have any more questions, come, and follow us on Instagram.
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.
