If you experience any of the following, stop using salicylic acid immediately and consult your doctor or dermatologist. If you're not seeing any improvements after 90 days, then we recommend trying a different salicylic product or another acne fighting ingredient like benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, or azelaic acid. 
But, what does salicylic acid do for the skin, and what are the best ways to reap its benefits? Salicylic acid is a comedolytic meaning it prevents future whiteheads and blackheads from forming. All three ingredients are comedolytic meaning they unclog pores and prevent future whiteheads and blackheads from developing. If you're on the hunt for a more affordable spot treatment, try this classic drugstore option, which uses 2 percent salicylic acid and witch hazel to reduce oil and superficial breakouts. "Salicylic acid helps with the first cause by dissolving the type of skin debris that clogs pores and causes acne," he says. When adding a new ingredient to your skin-care lineup, it's important to consider how it interacts with those already present in your routine. Salicylic acid is a peeling agent that exfoliates dead skin cells and accelerates skin cell renewal. "If they continue or get worse, you should definitely contact your board-certified dermatologist to let them know how your skin is reacting," Marmur says. "It can also improve the texture of your skin.". Salicylic Acid for skin has many benefits. This ingredient can even be found in shampoos to treat dandruff. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Once it penetrates the skin, salicylic acid dissolves skin debris that clogs pores, acts as an anti-inflammatory and helps it go away faster.
The primary negative side effect of salicylic acid is its ability to irritate and dry skin in those that are very sensitive or those who overuse it. If you are suffering from only minor congestion of the pores on your skin, then salicylic acid may be too strong of a spot treatment option and could potentially lead to dry skin. How to Get Rid of Blackheads, According to Dermatologists, 5 Best Acids for Skin: Hyaluronic, Lactic & More. Salicylic acid: what it is, benefits and how to use it in your skin routine, NetDoctor, part of the Hearst UK wellbeing network. The recommended concentration of a salicylic acid product varies from person to person and should be discussed with your dermatologist, and the same applies to how often you use a salicylic acid treatment. The good news is other ingredients, like benzoyl peroxide, can literally murder acne bacteria if you're struggling with moderate to severe inflammatory acne (thank goodness). Remember - results wont happen overnight. Because salicylic acid keeps pores clean and unclogged, it prevents future whiteheads and blackheads from developing. If applied in large amounts, high percentages, and to large surface areas, there is a chance of salicylic acid overdose, Dr Nasir warns. These are the benefits after using salicylic acid for skincare. Now, see how acne treatments have evolved within the last 100 years: You can follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter, or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty. In the over-the-counter battle against breakouts, there are a few key ingredients you should know about, and salicylic acid is at the top of that list. As with many things in life, the answer to this question depends largely on the individual. Salicylic acid also exfoliates dead skin, and its anti-inflammatory properties make it a prime ingredient for those with psoriasis. Thanks to its unique properties, salicylic acid is used to treat a range of skin conditions outside of acne, from warts to dandruff. Salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant. For the days when you wake up to find a spot has popped up on your face, turn to this acne spot treatment gel. In light of its many skincare benefits, it's no wonder why salicylic acid is included in so many skincare products. Dealing with back acne? Why does this matter? Is it okay to use salicylic acid every day?
Here, Dr Maryam Zamani, oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic doctor at the Cadogan Clinic, Dr Shaaira Nasir, consultant dermatologist at Sk:n; and Dr Nitasha Buldeo, scientist and founder of Organic Apoteke explain how to get the most from this product: Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), which is a type of exfoliating acid. Kora Organics Noni Night AHA Resurfacing Serum, GOOPGENES All-in-One Nourishing Face Cream. Thismakesit easier to shed the skin cells." Similarly, you should also be mindful of the other active ingredients such as retinols and antioxidants in your skincare products. If you're a skincare aficionado like us, this isn't the first time that you're hearing about salicylic acid for skincare. Salicylic acid does not fight against UV rays. 
Salicylic acid can be found in face washes, toners, leave on spot treatments, moisturisers, face masks and plasters.
The other type is AHA, or alpha hydroxy acid, and this includes ingredients such as glycolic and lactic acid. Whether youre keen to combat frequent breakouts or searching for a dependable remedy to treat oily skin, look no further than salicylic acid. While salicylic acid is a reliable option for treating superficial acne, Mudgil says prescription medications, like oral treatments, may be necessary for targeting cystic acne, so it's best to have a derm evaluate your skin to decide which treatment would be most effective. Salicylic acid is a great ingredient for people with oily and acne-prone skin, and particularly for treating blackheads and whiteheads.
"This structure is important because it makes salicylic acid more oil-soluble so it can penetrate into the pores of the skin," Schueller says. A Dermatologist Breaks Down the Best Acids to Use in Every Decade of Your Life, LEARN ABOUT BYRDIE'S EDITORIAL GUIDELINES, Salicylic acid treats acne vulgaris by suppressing AMPK/SREBP1 pathway in sebocytes, Over-the-counter acne treatments: a review, Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, is a dermatologist based at. If you have oily skin and you're looking for a budget-friendly option, both Marmur and Mudgil recommend this classic favorite cleanser, which uses 2 percent salicylic acid to wash away dead skin cells. Blackhead and whiteheads form when excess oil mixes with dead skin cells and forms a plug that clogs a pore. Be patient. , salicylic acid is a widely used topical therapy for psoriasis inflammation, An exfoliant with salicylic acid - use in evening only a few times a week, A toner and a targeted treatment with salicylic acid- use 2x a day, PAULA'S CHOICE - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid, TULA SKINCARE - Acne Clearing + Tone Correcting Gel, makeup primers and "pore perfecting" balms, new therapy for facial flat warts using 15% glycolic acid plus 2% salicylic acid, Salicylic Acid Products If there is irritation within 24 hrs (redness, flakiness, peeling), consider trying another salicylic acid product with a lower concentration or try an alternative acne fighting ingredient such as azelaic acid or differin.
"Salicylic acid can directly dissolve the keratin plugs and regulate the skin cells," says Dr. Nazarian. "[This] means the hydroxy part of the molecule is separated from the acid part by two carbon atoms, as opposed to an alpha hydroxy acid where they're separated by one carbon atom.". 
How often can you use it: Marmur says salicylicacidshould be used in moderation until you know your skin can handle it without irritation. Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with The ingredient can penetrate so deeply into skin that actually breaks down the connections between skin cells, according to Schueller and Dr. Wesley. Do not overuse your acid-based products.. For chemical peels performed at the dermatologist's office, the concentration may be as high as 20 to 30 percent, Dr. Wesley says. 
Some of these ingredients can intensify the effects of some acids causing burning or scarring, she continues.
Let the product soak in and do its thing.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. As a desmolytic, salicylic acid is a gentler exfoliant than azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide which are both keratolytics. It now makes sense why the ingredient is a longtime favorite for those with oily, acne-prone skin, right? First off, let's establish what salicylic acid is. This quality is precisely what makes salicylic acid such a potent ingredient. So to find out if salicylic acid will work for you, your skin type, or your type of acne, you first have to understand how it works. Because salicylic acid can actually get underneath excess oil and dead skin deep inside your pores compared to other ingredients that only skim what they can off the top of your pores. Salicylic acid is a desmolytic meaning it loosens the bonds between corneocytes (the cells that make up the skin's outermost layer). SKIN CARE ROUTINE OPTION A:An exfoliant with salicylic acid - use in evening only a few times a week, SKIN CARE ROUTINE OPTION B:A toner and a targeted treatment with salicylic acid- use 2x a day. For those with sensitive skin, daily or regular use can potentially dry out or even damage the skin barrier, so keep an eye out for flaky skin or any signs of irritation. Itll be the best thing to ever slide into your DM's. More sensitive skin types should use with caution and increase usage as their tolerance builds, she continues. Salicylic acid can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and cause sunburn easily. This quality is precisely what makes it such a potent ingredient for targeting acne especially for blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic acid is an FDA approved skin care ingredient used for the topical treatment of acne, and it's the only beta hydroxy acid (BHA) used in skin care products. Salicylic acid works best when applied to your entire face (avoid eyes, lips, and mouth) because it removes dead skin cells from your pores and cleans out excess oil from pores. "Depending on the severity of their acne, I may recommend an [SA-containing] acne wash, such as SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser, which contains a blend of salicylic acids," says Dr. Wesley. "If it's getting irritated, you'll need to take a day or two off and perhaps be a bit more vigilant with moisturizing." Decker A, Graber EM. No matter what your skin type is, avoid layering salicylic acid with any other acid-containing products without consulting an expert first. This Byrdie-approved primer doesnt just make your foundation look more matteit also contains salicylic acid to gently buff away the top layer of dead skin cells throughout the day. If your skin tolerates it, you can increase the frequency to twice a day, unless you know you'll be getting direct sun exposure, then it should only be applied at night. Works well with: Marmur recommends using the acne ingredient along with ingredients that soothe the skin, like Canadian willow herb, and calm any irritation that the salicylicacidcould potentially cause. Many cleansers contain both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, or if you prefer to have separate products for each ingredient, try a salicylic acid face wash and a benzoyl peroxide gel or cream. Dr. Desai is a fan of two classic acne-fighting products that contain salicylic acid: Neutrogena Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Fighting Face Wash and CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser. Read our, Mini Supermud Charcoal Instant Treatment Mask. However, you can have too much of a good thing, so weve enlisted the experts to discuss the benefits, explains potential side effects and share usage guidelines for adding to salicylic acid to your skincare routine. "It does have some effectiveness against cystic acne due to its antibacterial activity, but less so than the classic blackheads and whiteheads.". Certified: paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, cruelty-free, Use in AM & PMAfter cleansing and/or exfoliating, apply this toner 2x daily using a cotton ball and smoothing over entire face and neck. Results wont happen overnight. Salicylic acid is considered perfect for supreme exfoliation. Ad Choices. "The cream is salicylic acid-based and can aid in hydration for dehydrated skin," Marmur says. "It's best to work with your dermatologist to optimize your regimen.". Unlike the chemical exfoliants called alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which are water-soluble and ideal for surface exfoliation, salicylic is oil-soluble, which makes it capable of cutting through oil and exfoliating deep within your pores to remove blockages. We will never send third-party emails, or sell your email. Previously, she was the senior beauty editor at Cosmopolitan.com. "Salicylic acid aids in removing and loosening these skin cells and helps to dissolve the blackheads.". Yes, which is why it's best to start in moderation and combine it with a more moisturizing product, like a lotion. Who should use it: In general, those who have oily skin and are looking to treat superficial acne, like whiteheads, blackheads, and small red pimples, according to Mudgil. While salicylic acid weakens acne bacteria, benzoyl peroxide can kill acne bacteria. You can actually use too much salicylic acid. If there's no irritation after 24hrs, apply a thin layer of the salicylic acid product to your entire face - use product as directed (how often you apply it varies on what kind product you have). Do not rinse off - instead, follow up with any additional serums or creams. If you are allergic to aspirin, you should avoid salicylic acid, she warns. Because salicylic acid unclogs and exfoliates pores, fresh air gets into the skin and creates a more oxygen-rich environment that's less friendly to acne bacteria. Its also used in treatments to reduce thickened skin in conditions like psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, calluses, corn or wart treatments, says Dr Nasir. So don't scrub! This exfoliating liquid might be simple, but it's effective. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Blackheads: treatment and prevention tips. Price $$ What Are Blackheads Actually Made of, and WTF Comes Out When You Extract Them? Many dermatologists, therefore, recommend using the acid in moderation, beginning by applying it three times a week and working up from there. Aint nobody got time for that. ", Although salicylic acid is a common ingredient that's easily accessible and found at the drugstore, a lot of variables are at play when it comes to using the acne-fighting ingredient to treat breakouts, so it should still be approached with caution. Salicylic acid is considered a keratolytic medication, which means that it's perfect for supreme exfoliation. "Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid," says cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller. Enter, the Allure Ingredient Index. The oil-soluble ingredient is able to penetrate the pores and remove the contents of clogged pores that lead to superficial acne, like whiteheads, blackheads. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Always patch test before applying to your entire face!
Talk to a dermatologist if the problem persists. Ready to feel more confident when reading your beauty products' ingredient labels? It also regulates oil production., An anti-inflammatory effect can help skin to look less red and inflamed, she continues. "Each vehicle usessalicylicacidin its own special way and is targeted for certain use in specific people, depending on their skin issues," Marmur explains.