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Simply speaking, salicylic acid is one of acne’s biggest enemies.
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You reach for aspot treatmentwithin the second you see a zit invading your face.
What is salicylic acid?
“Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid,” says cosmetic chemistRandy Schueller.
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Good, because this is where it gets fun.
Examples of AHAs, for reference, include glycolic and lactic acids.
In other words, oil-soluble ingredients can penetrate the skin at a deeper level than their water-soluble counterparts.
Salicylic acid works deeper [and is] able to penetrate into the pores to unclog them.
What does salicylic acid do for the skin?
Salicylic acid can get deep into your skin to do its job.
This quality is precisely what makes it such a potent ingredient for targeting acne especially for blackheads and whiteheads.
This breaking down of skin cells promotes exfoliation.
Salicylic acid is considered a keratolytic medication, which means that it’s perfect for supreme exfoliation.
Salicylic acid also loosens and breaks apart desmosomes (attachments between cells in the outer layer of skin).
“Salicylic acid aids in removing and loosening these skin cells and helps to dissolve theblackheads.”
Therefore, salicylic acid is ideal for treating blackheads and whiteheads.
“Salicylic acid can directly dissolve the keratin plugs and regulate the skin cells,” says Dr. Nazarian.
Can salicylic acid damage skin?
you’ve got the option to actually use too much salicylic acid.
For this reason, those with skin that’s already severely dry or sensitive should consider avoiding SA altogether.
It’s also not the best choice if you are pregnant or taking certain medications, including blood thinners.
Still, the concentration of most over-the-counter salicylic acid creams and cleansers often 2% is low.
So just don’t apply a layer of it all over stick to only acne-prone areas.
Can you use salicylic acid every day?
What are the best salicylic acid skin-care products to use for acne?
As with many things in life, the answer to this question depends largely on the individual.
Can you use salicylic acid with vitamin C?
Many patients I have use both.
