ALL ABOUT INGREDIENTS!
FEATURED: SALICYLIC ACID

What is SALICYLIC ACID and what’s all the hype? If you’ve ever been shopping for any kind of skincare products, then at some point you’ve probably seen products like cleansers labeled with “salicylic acid”. The most common questions are: should I use it, how often, and will it work to improve my skin?

Salicylic Acid is a natural skincare ingredient that comes from plants and is commonly used to help treat acne, breakout-prone skin, and oily skin. It’s known as a “BHA” or beta hydroxy acid, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s an ingredient that has the power to move beyond the surface of your skin and penetrate your pores helping to solve real skin concerns. (Unlike other skincare ingredients that just sit on the surface or top layer of your skin and don’t do much).

Salicylic acid helps unclog pores, reduce inflammation, minimize blackheads, get rid of pimples, exfoliate dead skin, correct skin texture, and dry up or absorb excess oiliness. It is also an anti-bacterial ingredient meaning it can help to kill bacteria and prevent new bacteria that causes breakouts and acne. If you deal with extremely oily skin on a regular basis, then incorporating salicylic acid into your regular skincare routine can also help reduce excess oil by a lot.

Salicylic acid can be found in different over the counter products like cleansers, toners, and acne creams or spot treatments. The percentages of salicylic acid found in products can vary starting as low as 0.5% but if using salicylic acid prescribed from a doctor or in a chemical peel with a skincare professional it can go as high as 30%.

When trying to decide if using salicylic acid is right for you, first you should understand your skin. Do you have sensitive skin? Do you breakout easily? What’s your diet and eating habits like? Do you eat a lot of sugary, spicy, or greasy foods? These are questions to ask yourself before trying any new product with salicylic acid. You should also know if your skin is typically dry, oily, or combination. If you’re not sure, then it’s best to consult with a skincare professional who can help you figure these things out.

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With every ingredient comes the risk of reactions or side effects and salicylic acid has its downfalls for certain skin types. Since it’s a strong ingredient it can be too much for sensitive or dry skin types. It can have side effects like skin peeling/flaky skin, dry patches from drying out the skin, or can cause sensitivity from being over-used. If you are a naturally sensitive skin type or deal with concerns like rosacea, then it’s best to avoid salicylic acid all together or exercise great caution when using light application of the ingredient. Salicylic acid can also clash with other ingredients so in some cases you may have to pause using other products while using salicylic acid. However, ingredients like SPF (sunscreen) and Vitamin C work well with salicylic acid because they are designed to protect the skin from further environmental damage. I suggest avoiding using any new ingredient every single day because it could be too much too soon for your skin. Ideally, if you’ve never used salicylic acid then it’s best to start out using 1-2 times a week or every other day and go from while monitoring your skin’s reaction.

Salicylic acid can be used morning or night but I personally I like trying out new ingredients in the evening. This allows time for the product to do its thing and I can monitor any reactions or side effects overnight and without worrying about sun exposure. If you choose to use salicylic acid during the day, then just remember to apply a generous amount of SPF 30 or higher to ensure proper protection of your skin.

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Many people always want to know how long it takes to see results from using salicylic acid but honestly that varies by person because there’s so many different contributing factors to consider like skin type, severity of skin issues, allergies, diet, sun exposure, and frequency of using the ingredient. The average estimate for seeing results when trying out any new ingredient is normally around 30 days or sooner if using consistently (but not overuse).

Since I have oily/combination skin I use one of my favorite cleansers 1-2 a week to help reduce my oiliness. The raspberry refining cleanser smells so good and is a gentle foamy cleanser that lathers up nicely to help absorb my excess oil and I love that it leaves my skin feeling super smooth and more matte with a brighter complexion. It comes in a small bottle convenient for travel or a large bottle perfect for home and you can get yours here.

I also recommend my raspberry refining scrub for exfoliation and my clarifying toner pads for absorbing excess oil and reducing breakouts both of which contain potent amounts of salicylic acid to make a difference in your skin.

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So, the next time you’re out shopping for skincare products and see a product with “salicylic acid” I hope you’ll refer to this blog for some helpful guidance or share this with a friend who might find this helpful on their skincare journey. Don’t forget to shop in my online store for more natural products and anti-aging skincare. You can shop here.

Comments about your own experiences with salicylic acid are welcomed!

And last, of course, if you are in my area or visiting on vacation you can book an appointment at my skincare studio to experience one of our professional facial treatments or chemical peels. Check out our facials here and our salicylic acid peel here.

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