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Today we’re going to be talking about salicylic acid, which is the best working ingredient to fight against severe acne. Benefits of salicylic acid multifaceted. This is why it’s in over-the-counter products for everything, from acne to psoriasis to exfoliators, it’s everywhere.
We know that it has a lot of benefits. It is a beta hydroxy acid, and it’s lipophilic, so it enters the oil gland, helps dissolve the oil, and removes the oil. It actually can decrease some of the oil production. It’s also kind of keratolytic, it helps break up the skin cells, and all that like makes it foundational in the over-the-counter acne space.
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates. It’s been ultra-popular for a very long time. It is a really interesting molecule. Some of the special properties that make it so helpful to the skin are that it’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.
When it comes to how often you should use salicylic acid, usually you’re going to be using it as part of a regime with other ingredients. For instance, if you’re acne-prone or very congested, you’ll be using a retinoid at night. That naturally creates space for salicylic acid in the morning. We don’t like to use retinoids and salicylic acid at the same time. But if you’re just looking to harness the benefits of salicylic acid, you can actually build up to using it twice a day. However, we’d always suggest starting off less frequently—every other day at the beginning, then once a day, and if your skin tolerates it, build up to once or even twice a day.
You can certainly spot treat twice a day until the blemish starts to calm down, flatten out, and lose some of its red fieriness. The great thing about salicylic acid is that it comes in lots of different formats. So, there’s something for almost everyone, whether it’s in the form of a swipe-on toner (like a liquid exfoliant such as Paula’s Choice BHA), a gel format like our flawless neutralizing gel, or even a spray format, which is great for using on larger areas like the chest and back to treat body blemishes and clogged pores.
Typically, you’re looking at anything from 0.5% to 2%. We generally like to aim towards the 2% end of the spectrum to get maximum efficacy. We do think you get more measurable results by using a leave-on product rather than something you swipe on, where you don’t really know how much you’re actually getting on the skin.
Downsides of Salicylic Acid
You might wonder what the downsides to using salicylic acid are. Of course, like any active ingredient, it has the potential to cause sensitivity. If you know your skin is sensitive and you’re already using several actives, introduce it with caution and care. Maybe strip back your routine a little until you get a sense of how your skin is going to behave with this new introduction. Other than that, if you’re allergic to aspirin, we suggest you avoid salicylic acid completely due to potential overlap in how the molecules behave in the skin.
Choose your formula carefully. Many preparations contain denatured alcohol as part of the formula to help solubilize the salicylic acid, and that can make it extra drying. We think a lot of people perceive some ingredients as being particularly drying on the skin, but much of the time, that is due to other ingredients present in the formula. So, look for something with a more hydrating base and an absence of alcohol to ensure you’re not missing out on the good benefits that salicylic acid can offer when it’s formulated well.
Is Salicylic Acid Worth the Hype?
We have to say that our answer is a 100% yes. It is an excellent exfoliant, particularly good for those with oily or combination skin. We know that sixty percent of us have combination skin to some extent. It’s a powerful ingredient to incorporate into your routine if you’re blemish-prone but also want some of those texture-improving benefits.
We recommend a leave-on preparation with 1-2% salicylic acid. Be sure to find a formula that is alcohol-free for the best results.
Products with Salicylic Acid
Acne Control Max Strength 2% Salicylic Acid, Healing Treatment for Deep, Uncomfortable Acne, 1 Fl Oz
Salicylic Acid Exfoliant-Facial Exfoliant for Blackheads, Enlarged Pores, Wrinkles & Fine Lines
Maximum Strength Acne Treatment Face Pads with 2% salicylic acid acne-fighting medicine, to visibly reduce acne and help stop breakouts, even before they become visible
Formulated for acne-prone skin and are oil-free and non-comedogenic, so they won’t clog pores.
Back & Body Exfoliating Acne Spray, 2% BHA (Salicylic Acid) Treatment for Bacne, Blackheads & Blemishes, 4 Ounce
This gentle, non-irritating body exfoliant targets & helps prevent hard bumps, clogged pores, and breakouts.
60 pads contain a special formula of 10% Ultra Pure Glycolic Acid and 2% Salicylic Acid. these pads exfoliate, diminish lines and wrinkles, clear and prevent breakouts, and minimize pores for a youthful, radiant complexion.
The combination of glycolic acid and salicylic acid works to clear up breakouts and prevent future ones, improve skin texture, minimize pores, and even out skin tone. Achieve a smoother and more even skin tone with regular use.
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