What Does Salicylic Acid Do for the Skin?
I’ll be the first to admit that the sheer variety of ingredients in skincare can often be dizzying and confusing. When it comes to finding the best ingredients to combat skin issues, especially if acne, pimples, and breakouts are your main concern, you’ve undoubtedly heard of salicylic acid.
Salicylic acid is a powerful heavyweight in the skincare world, whether it’s an over-the-counter product or a professional peel. It’s extracted from willow bark and is considered a salicylate ingredient. Known for its complex structure, figuring out how it works on the skin can be daunting.
This will give you a better idea of how well they work on the skin overall. It belongs to the BHA family, also known as beta hydroxy acid, which is the most common and found in nearly every skincare product that fights acne and breakouts.
There are two types of acids used in skincare: AHA and BHA. These two acid groups differ slightly in the way the molecule is separated from the acid. Alpha hydroxy acids split the acid with one carbon atom, while beta hydroxy acids use two carbon atoms. As a result, BHAs are naturally more potent and can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. For example, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can remove layers of dead skin cells while penetrating deep into the pores to remove dirt, bacteria, and excess sebum. Salicylic acid is very effective and can improve skin clarity, but it can still cause dryness, especially if you have a skin type that is prone to sensitivity and redness. To avoid unwanted skin reactions, perform a 24-hour patch test before applying new products to your face. If you want to learn more about salicylic acid and its importance, you can read our dedicated blog post. Is it OK to use salicylic acid every day?
Conclusion: Yes, but listen to your skin. If you find that your skin feels comfortable and looks clear, you can use salicylic acid every day. Some even recommend using them twice a day once you have built up your skin’s tolerance.
The amount of BHA in each product varies from brand to brand. This can sometimes affect how your skin reacts to using different products. Therefore, we think it is extremely important to patch test your skin first.
If you still notice signs of irritation, it is best to stop using salicylic acid products for a day or two and use a generous serum rich in hyaluronic acid. Once your skin has improved and you no longer have any irritation, you can try to slowly reapply the product.
Is salicylic acid harmful to the skin? No, not really, but it can irritate the skin if not used correctly. Salicylic acid is great for oily and acne-prone skin. If you have a dry, sensitive skin type, BHAs may be too harsh on the skin.
Since salicylic acid penetrates deep into the pores and removes excess sebum, it is great for degreasing. If your face is too oily, it can lead to excess sebum production, which can cause more irritation and acne.
The best way to reap the benefits is to slowly introduce salicylic acid into your routine once a week, preferably at night. This helps build tolerance and avoid unwanted reactions.
Does salicylic acid remove dark spots? Yes, it does! Salicylic acid removes dark spots due to the exfoliating properties of BHAs. When dead skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, your complexion can appear dull.
You will also notice that breakouts, flaky patches of skin, and dark spots that appear more pigmented become more common. Salicylic acid removes dark spots by removing the dead skin layer. The more she removes, the lighter the dark spots will become. Salicylic acid won’t completely eliminate dark spots, but if you use a powerful BHA along with vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid daily, and wear sunscreen daily, you’ll notice that your complexion looks better. Skin will look more radiant, hydrated and even-toned. Of course, keep in mind that these recommended skin ingredients should only be used daily after consulting a doctor or dermatologist. Can I use a moisturizer after using salicylic acid? Apply a moisturizer after applying it anyway Salicylic acid is a great way to restore the skin barrier while creating a physical barrier on the surface of the skin. Choose a moisturizing formula with ingredients like hyaluronic acid to ensure that the skin’s protective barrier is full of water and oil, and it protects against pollution, free radicals such as UV rays, and harsh weather. Should salicylic acid be used in the morning or at night? This depends on you and your skin type, as some people find that using BHA too frequently can cause irritation and dryness. However, if your skin has developed a tolerance, you can use salicylic acid morning and night.
Skin experts recommend varying the ingredients of acid-containing products to thoroughly cleanse the skin while avoiding unwanted reactions. Try a salicylic acid-rich toner in the morning and a serum with active acids in the evening. Serums are best used at night because the higher acid concentration can work undisturbed without exposure to free radicals.
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.
