Where in my skincare routine should I add salicylic acid?
When you first start using salicylic acid in your skincare routine, it can often be a little daunting to figure out exactly where to use it and if it fits into your existing routine.
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and is often a go-to for those who are prone to acne and blemishes.
Salicylic acid works slightly differently on the skin than more popular alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid, as its smaller molecular size allows it to penetrate deeper into the skin and pores.
Salicylic acid is also oil-soluble, which means it can remove excess sebum, bacteria, dirt, debris, and other impurities from pores.
While salicylic acid works on the lower layers of the skin, it removes dead skin cells on the outer surface that can build up over time and lead to acne and other breakouts.
If you want to learn more about how salicylic acid affects your skin, check out this blog post on the benefits of smart BHAs for skin care. You can also find a dedicated blog post on using salicylic acid serums in your daily routine.
Now that we’ve discussed how salicylic acid affects your skin, let’s explore how to incorporate salicylic acid into your skin care routine.
What role does salicylic acid play in skin care?
This depends on the formulation of the product containing salicylic acid, as a general skin care rule is to apply products in order of consistency from thin to thick.
This is considered the best way to get the benefits of skin care active ingredients. Salicylic acid is commonly found in many skin care products, such as cleansers, toners, and serums. Choosing which products to use will help you better understand where in your daily routine you need salicylic acid.
Although there are many options, exfoliating toners are the most popular products.
Toners are powerful products that can help remove dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from the skin. Another benefit of using a toner rich in salicylic acid is that it doesn’t stay on the skin for very long, which means it won’t cause severe dryness or irritation.
Other skin care products, such as serums or moisturizers, last longer and are applied at the end of your daily skin care routine. You’ll also notice that the formula contains a higher concentration of actives.
Therefore, it is recommended that you do not use serums or moisturizers until your skin has developed a certain tolerance to BHAs. This will prevent unwanted irritation, skin reactions, or severe dryness.
What else can I use besides salicylic acid?
There are several ingredients that work well with salicylic acid.
Keep in mind that not all of the ingredients listed should be coated with salicylic acid. Therefore, try alternating stronger ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid throughout the day. For example, using a salicylic acid toner in your morning routine can help remove impurities from your skin.
Following up with retinol in your evening routine will ensure that your skin’s pH is rebalanced and ready to absorb other skincare ingredients.
Before applying any of these formulas to your skin, I highly recommend that you consult with your doctor or dermatologist to find out which one is best for you and your skin. You can also do a 24-hour patch test before applying the product to your face to avoid unwanted irritation.
Which comes first, salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid?
For best results, use salicylic acid first as it removes all the dead skin cells from your skin. This leaves the skin fresher, more easily absorbed and ensures that anything subsequently applied to the skin
penetrates the lower layers of the skin quickly.
This is ideal for subsequent applications of hyaluronic acid, as the hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid attract and lock moisture into the skin, allowing the skin barrier to benefit from the continued flow of moisture. This
forms a healthy barrier, protecting the skin from free radicals such as pollution, UV rays, central heating and other environmental aggressors.
How to introduce salicylic acid?
Many people find that introducing salicylic acid into their daily exfoliation toner is one of the most effective products that won’t over-irritate the skin. Once you have a certain tolerance
If you have developed an effective substance, you can move on to a salicylic acid boost serum, which will add a higher acidity to the mix.
Remember to use a salicylic acid product once a week, first in the evening, to protect your skin from excessive UV exposure. This allows the skin to reap the benefits of the BHA without any of the side effects.
As mentioned before, make sure you and your skin are happy with this addition to your daily regimen and try to avoid breakouts such as rashes and irritation.
Should I use salicylic acid before niacinamide?
Yes, you can use salicylic acid before niacinamide. You’ll find that niacinamide has similar skin benefits to hyaluronic acid, with the main difference being its ability to regulate sebum production.
This often means that niacinamide is a top choice for people who are prone to acne, as it helps keep the skin hydrated and clear without interfering with the effects of salicylic acid.
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.
