What is Salicylic Acid? A Complete Guide
If you’re looking to fight stubborn blemishes, you’ve probably heard of salicylic acid.
This powerful skincare ingredient is a type of beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and is known for its ability to clear spots, pimples, and zits effectively.
Whether you find it in over-the-counter creams or professional-grade treatments, salicylic acid works hard to help your skin stay clear and healthy.
If you want to learn more about all the benefits, we have a detailed blog post you can check out.
What Exactly is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid might sound complicated, but it’s quite simple once you understand how it works. It belongs to a family of acids used in skincare called hydroxy acids.
These acids help exfoliate the skin — which means they help remove dead skin cells from the surface.
Hydroxy acids are split into two types: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). The difference lies in their chemical structure.
AHAs have a molecule that splits into one carbon atom, while BHAs split into two carbon atoms. Salicylic acid is a BHA.
Why does this matter? Because BHAs like salicylic acid are oil-soluble. This means they can penetrate deep into the oily parts of your skin, especially inside pores.
AHAs, like glycolic or lactic acid, are water-soluble and work mainly on the skin’s surface.
Salicylic acid’s ability to reach deep inside pores makes it excellent for removing excess oil, dirt, and bacteria. This unclogs pores and helps reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
It also speeds up skin renewal and helps other skincare ingredients absorb faster.
If you want to understand more about the difference between AHAs and BHAs, check out The Beauty Insiders for a great explanation.
What Does Salicylic Acid Do for Your Skin?
Salicylic acid is best known as a powerful anti-blemish ingredient. Its main job is to exfoliate dead skin cells and clean out clogged pores. This helps fight current breakouts and stops new ones from forming.
But salicylic acid isn’t just for acne. Because of its skin-peeling properties, it’s also used in products to help with skin conditions like psoriasis and dandruff.
However, it’s important to speak to a doctor or dermatologist before using salicylic acid for these conditions to avoid irritation.
In higher concentrations, salicylic acid can treat tough skin problems like corns, calluses, and warts. These treatments are usually done by medical professionals only.
Trying these high doses at home can cause severe skin irritation, dryness, and discomfort.
Does Lemon Juice Contain Salicylic Acid?
Not exactly. Lemon juice doesn’t contain salicylic acid but has some similar benefits. It contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from damage caused by things like sun exposure and pollution.
Lemon juice also has citric acid and vitamin C, which exfoliate the outer skin layer and help fade dark spots or hyperpigmentation.
But using lemon juice directly on your skin is risky. It is highly acidic, which can dry out the skin and disrupt its natural pH balance. This imbalance can cause redness, itchiness, dryness, and worsen acne.
Because of this, it’s best to avoid using pure lemon juice on your face. Instead, opt for skincare products that are specially formulated to be gentle and effective.
How Can You Make a Salicylic Acid Peel at Home?
You can try a salicylic acid peel at home, but it’s important to be very careful and first talk to your doctor. If you get the green light, here’s a safe way to do it:
Start by cleansing your skin and gently patting it dry.
Use a salicylic acid product with no more than 15% concentration. Mix it with a carrier oil like sweet almond or olive oil in a bowl.
Using a fan brush, apply the mix evenly on your skin, avoiding the eye area.
Watch how your skin reacts and keep the peel on for no longer than 2 minutes.
Rinse off thoroughly with water.
Keep your skin slightly damp and apply a serum rich in hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.
The next morning, use sunscreen with at least SPF 50 to protect your skin from UV damage.
Remember, salicylic acid is strong. Don’t rush into peels before your skin is used to the acid. Start slow, and always follow medical advice.
Can You Use Salicylic Acid Every Day?
Yes, you can use salicylic acid daily, but it depends on your skin type and what other active ingredients you use. If your routine already includes strong ingredients, be cautious.
Daily use is usually safe for oily or acne-prone skin but might be too harsh for sensitive or dry skin. Listen to your skin and adjust use accordingly.
We have a full blog post about how to use salicylic acid daily, so be sure to check that out if you want more detailed advice.
Why Is Salicylic Acid So Popular in Skincare?
Salicylic acid’s popularity comes from its ability to tackle multiple skin problems at once. It fights acne, exfoliates, reduces oiliness, and soothes inflammation.
It can help your skin look smoother, clearer, and healthier.
Many people find it effective because it unclogs pores and stops breakouts before they get worse. Its oil-soluble nature makes it unique among acids, helping those with oily or combination skin.
It also pairs well with other ingredients, speeding up results and improving overall skin texture.
Things to Remember When Using Salicylic Acid
Always start with a low concentration and slowly build tolerance.
Avoid using salicylic acid with other strong exfoliants or retinoids unless your dermatologist advises it.
Use sunscreen daily because salicylic acid can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
If you experience excessive dryness, redness, or irritation, reduce use or stop and consult a doctor.
Avoid salicylic acid if you are allergic or sensitive to aspirin, as they are chemically related.
Final Thoughts
Salicylic acid is a fantastic tool in your skincare arsenal. Its deep-cleansing and exfoliating powers make it ideal for fighting blemishes and improving skin texture.
Whether you want to clear acne, reduce oil, or just maintain smooth skin, salicylic acid can help. Just remember to introduce it carefully and follow professional advice for best results.
If you have more skincare questions or want product recommendations, come find us on Instagram! We love helping people build healthier skin routines.
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.
