SALICYLIC ACID IN SKINCARE

Happy Sunday! Today, I am sharing with you all you need to know about Salicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid is known for its numerous benefits and anti-acne properties. It’s actually the magic ingredient that helped me heal my acne! So, in this post, we talk about what is Salicylic Acid, its benefits, and how we can incorporate it into our routine.

Now, keep on reading, and don’t forget to check out my previous post: 7 HEALTHY HABITS WORTH ADOPTING.

Salicylic acid in Skincare!

What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid, also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA, is a “desmolytic” ingredient. This means it is able to exfoliate by dissolving the bonds that hold the dead cells to the skin’s surface. Because salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it also has the ability to penetrate into the pore lining and exfoliate inside the pore. This makes it especially effective for reducing breakouts, including blackheads and whiteheads.

Salicylic acid is recognized as an over-the-counter topical acne product by the FDA when used in concentrations of 0.5-2%. Above that, you need a prescription from your doctor.

The skincare benefits

Salicylic acid offers numerous advantages that any skin type can benefit from:

• It exfoliates the buildup of dead skin, revealing a glowing and clear complexion.
• It targets mild acne and prevents future breakouts.
• Finally, it helps reverse the appearance of dull, uneven skin tone and visible signs of aging. Salicylic acid also has soothing and calming properties and can be included in amounts as low as 0.5% to achieve this benefit.

In general, exfoliants are extremely beneficial for the skin. According to Healthline, regular exfoliation can help prevent clogged pores, resulting in fewer breakouts and can increase collagen production.

While using this ingredient, it’s important to remember a few words of caution. Salicylic acid is an active ingredient so it’s always ideal for you to start slow and test the product on your neck first. If you overexfoliate or misuse it, it can easily cause irritation or itching. Personally, I exfoliate with BHA three times per week when the concentration is 2% and almost every day when the concentration is 0.5%.

My picks!

Exfoliating toner

The first way you could incorporate this ingredient into your routine is through an exfoliating toner. This part of a skincare routine is meant to remove any dead skin to reveal a beautiful complexion and with Salicylic acid, you can also target pimples and blackheads. This step would come after cleansing and before applying your serums and moisturizer. These are the two toners I recommend. The second one is actually more gentle and is ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Serum

Another way to incorporate this ingredient into your skincare routine is through a treatment serum. If you are not a fan of toners then you can definitely take advantage of the numerous benefits of Salicylic Acid in a serum form. My favorite one is by The Inkey List. It’s very effective and comes at such an affordable price. The second option I propose has a lower concentration and is ideal for those who are new to this ingredient. It also contains niacinamide and succinic acid which makes it more interesting.

Cleanser

Finally, you can incorporate salicylic acid into your routine through your cleanser as well. Nevertheless, salicylic acid works most effectively as a leave-on treatment, such as in serums or toners. But, in case you are interested, both Paula’s choice and The inkey list offer amazing BHA cleansers.

Salicylic acid in Skincare!

Salicylic acid is such a wonderful ingredient that you can incorporate in many different ways into your skincare regime. It is ideal to target acne but also, to treat uneven skin tone and dull complexions. Now, I hope you enjoyed reading this post and found it informative. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog!

xx

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