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 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.
