If You Have Acne – You Need to Know This

Everything You Need to Know About Salicylic Acid

Like most people, you probably want to have clear skin that looks fresh and clean. Skin that doesn’t show evidence of break-outs. It can be a real struggle for some people, and there are so many products lining the beauty store shelves, it can be hard to know which is best. Then there are the options your dermatologist can provide to consider as well.

Even though the list of break-out preventing beauty products is really, really long, there seem to be a few key ingredients that pop up in their formulas over and over again. One of those key ingredients is salicylic acid. This is often seen as a miracle product by many people that have to contend with unruly skin. It can clear up some of your skin eruptions seemingly overnight.

While you may already be familiar with the name, you may not actually know all that much about salicylic acid or what it does to help clear up your skin. In this article, we are going to compile all the information you have ever wanted to know about this heavy hitter in the world of clear skin.

What is Salicylic Acid?

First and foremost, it is important to understand what salicylic acid is and where it comes from. In the skincare world, there are two major classes that acids fall into: BHAs and AHAs. BHA stands for beta hydroxy acids, and AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acids. Salicylic acid is a BHA.

For the technical description, it is best to listen to the experts. According to Randy Schueller, a cosmetic chemist, being a BHA means that “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.”

Salicylic acid comes from the bark of a willow tree, and it is part of a particular class of skincare ingredients called salicylates. The chemical makeup of salicylic acid is actually similar to the makeup of aspirin. The basic structure of this particular acid makes it oil-soluble which means it can penetrate deep within your pores, all the way through the lipid layers. This oil solubility allows the products to seep into the pores and go to work unclogging them.

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How to Use Salicylic Acid

If you are attempting to treat your acne breakouts, you can apply a mild salicylic acid solution to your skin, and you will get an equivalent clean that you would get if you were scrubbing. Yet, you won’t be at risk of breaking any of the tiny capillaries in the delicate skin of the face and you won’t have to worry about rupturing any of your pores. Plus, salicylic acid offers more acne-fighting power than a simple cleansing scrub.

This acid will do an excellent job of exfoliating the skin. It will also open up the pores, allowing all the dirt, grime, and old makeup residue to be washed away. In addition to that, it will increase your cell turnover rate and increase your collagen production. Salicylic acid users can get skin that is clearer and more youthful looking. It can also help even out skin discolorations.

For the best results when using a salicylic acid product, you should make it a part of your continuous skincare regimen. Even after your acne and break-outs have cleared up, you should not stop using your salicylic acid products. The pores may revert to their clogged state causing you to have a reoccurrence of your acne.

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Most acne products contain a low concentration of salicylic acid. The excellent exfoliating benefits of the acid allow the other active ingredients in the products to be more effective. In fact, it can be found in many different forms as well.

Salicylic acid products can be found as:

• Gels
• Creams
• Cleansers
• Shampoos
• Medicated Pads
• Concentrated Solutions
• Anti-Aging Lotions
• Wart Removers

These different types of products come with varying concentrations of salicylic acid. Most of the acne treatments and anti-aging products have to maintain levels of less than 2% to keep them safe for use on the face. However, when it is used in dandruff shampoos, they may have concentrations from 3% all the way up to 12%. In wart removers, the concentration ranges from 17% to 27%.

It is important that anyone using a salicylic acid product read the instructions thoroughly. These products should never be used in a way other than the intended use.

Product Types to Consider

If you have decided to add a salicylic acid treatment to your skin care routine, there are several ways that you can do so. Here are a few examples of the type of products that may be beneficial:

Night Serums: These serums can be applied to the skin at bedtime and then washed off in the morning. They continue working for all the hours that you are sleeping, and they can make a big difference in the overall quality of the skin.

Exfoliators: Salicylic acid is a natural exfoliator, and it can go a long way towards soothing redness and inflammation in sensitive skin.

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Day Creams: There are moisturizers that have added salicylic acid. This allows the product to do its acne-fighting job all day long.

Medicated Pads: These pads are a very easy way to apply your salicylic acid for the day, and they are quite effective in preventing future break-outs when used regularly.

Foaming Cleanser: For those that tend to dry out, a foaming cleanser may be the best bet. You get the salicylic acid application, but it is washed away immediately before it has a chance to add to the skin’s dryness.

Toner: For those that are seeking to control their oil production, adding a salicylic acid toner may be a good choice. It can be swiped on each day after washing the face. Some products can even be used twice per day, but it is important to read the directions carefully to avoid overuse.

Who Should Be Using It?

Since salicylic acid has a chemical makeup similar to aspirin, there are many similar attributes as well. In fact, salicylic acid can stimulate circulation within the skin which can actually go a long way towards opening the pores and getting oil unclogged. It has inflammatory properties and can help reduce redness in some people as well. People with oily skin generally find many benefits in using salicylic acid products.

People who are seeking cleaner skin with fewer breakouts are the ideal users of salicylic acid products.

Who Shouldn’t Be Using It?

While salicylic acid has proven to be a safe means of treating acne and break-outs, it isn’t necessarily a good idea for everyone. There are some people who may have health issues that make using these types of products risky. For instance, anyone that has overly sensitive skin and is prone to allergic reactions should use caution.

People with darker skin tones should also avoid using salicylic acid products. Beige skin tones like those of Mediterranean descent, people with brown skin like from the Middle East or India, and those with dark brown or black skin tones such as those of African descent may find that salicylic acid causes permanent dark spots. It is advised that people with darker skin tones seek advice from a dermatologist before starting a salicylic acid regimen.

There may be other complications for people that have health conditions such as kidney disease or liver disease. If you are suffering from anything similar, it is imperative that you discuss salicylic acid use with your physician before applying to your skin. There is a possibility that use can worsen the symptoms of your condition.

Reactions can also occur in people who are heavy alcohol drinkers or are taking particular medications. There is a risk of serious dehydration of the skin for those that are using salicylic acid products while also taking Ketorolac. There may be other medications that are contraindicated as well, so it is a good idea to check with your doctor if you are taking one or more medications.

Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should also use caution. While there have not been any specific studies pointing to issues with salicylic acid use, there isn’t very much research to consider. If you want to start a salicylic acid regimen, it is a good idea to discuss this with your physician to ensure that you and your baby remain safe and healthy. Also, children should not use salicylic acid products because it can greatly irritation the skin.

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Side Effects and Other Things to Look Out For

If you have troublesome skin, you may be tempted to start slathering yourself with as many salicylic acid products as you can get your hands on. However, that may not be the best plan because there is definitely the risk of too much of a good thing.

In fact, there are a couple of issues that can arise when you overuse your products or do not proceed as directed. The biggest risk of using too much salicylic acid is that you will dry out your skin. You will know if this has happened because your skin will either feel extremely dry and flaky or you will start to notice your oil production ramping up. If you find either of these things happening, you will want to decrease your use of these products rather significantly.

Overuse of salicylic acid products can also cause your skin to become very sensitive to the sun. It is important that you are diligent about putting on sunscreen every time you are going to be out in the sun while using these type of products. Your skin will be very susceptible to burning even when only out for a short amount of time.

In order to avoid any serious side effects or issues, you should limit your applications of the products to exactly what is allowed per the product instructions. Using your skin care products more often than recommended, to the point of excess, can even lead to chemical burns when these products contain salicylic acid.

It is also a good idea to do a small test application when you start using a brand new product. Instead of applying it all over your face immediately upon opening up the bottle, put it on a small area of skin to test for any allergic reactions or burning. Wait 24 hours before proceeding with your entire face to ensure that all is well.

Salicylic Acid No-Nos

You never want to mix your salicylic acid product with other types of acids such as glycolic acid, retinol, or retinoids. As we said previously, salicylic acid is a BHA. However, glycolic acid is an AHA.

Using both of these products can be way too much for the skin to handle, and it can lead to skin that is over dried and damaged. It is also important to check the products that you use on a daily basis, such as your moisturizers, to ensure that it doesn’t contain one of these ingredients. You don’t want to accidentally mix multiple acids.

People that are allergic to aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should not use skin care products that contain salicylic acid. As we discussed previously, there are similarities between the chemical make up of this acid and aspirin which may mean that the allergy transfers. While these allergic reactions are more common when using oral products, topical reactions may still occur. Consulting your doctor and doing a test patch are extremely important.

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The Conclusion

Products that contain salicylic acid can have stunning results on your skin, and they can alleviate many of the break-out and acne issues that you are suffering from. However, it is important to only use these products as directed due to the possibility of damaging interactions or reactions.

As with any new product that you are introducing to your body, you may want to discuss its use and the possible side effects with your physician or dermatologist. This is especially true if you have any underlying medication issues or are prone to topical reactions.

More Great Salicylic Acid Resources:

9 Ways to Slip Salicylic Acid into Your Beauty Routine

We’ve All Been Underestimating This Acne-Fighter

Salicylic Acid and Acne: The Pro’s and Con’s