The Power of Salicylic Acid For The Skin

When it comes to acids and the skin, people seem to have a genuine fear of what it can do, but there is nothing to fear. Acids can be your skin’s best friend, especially when treating breakouts, texture and hyperpigmentation, their strength is what will alter the skin’s overall complexion. Salicylic acid in particular is part of the family that will transform your skin.

There are two types of acids and more often than not the skincare that you come across is split between beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid. Another element to note is that BHAs are oil soluble whereas AHAs are water-soluble, for the skin this means that BHAs can penetrate the skin at a deeper level whereas a water-soluble will alter the surface. In essence, AHAs work to loosen dead skin cells and reveal a fresher complexion and BHAs, through penetrating the dermis, will unclog pores.

Understanding its structure, the important thing to take away from salicylic acid is that as a BHA and derived from willow bark, it can penetrate the skin at an impressive rate that can deliver the changes we all desire for our skin.

WHAT IS SALICYLIC KNOWN FOR?

Salicylic acid is therefore the hero product for those that either suffer with acne, blemishes or want to exfoliate the skin. Due to its potency, it works to breakdown the skin debris that has collated on the surface from environmental aggressors, impurities, oil and build up and then clear it from the pores and with anti-inflammatory properties will reduce redness and irritation. As a key for unclogging pores, Salicylic acid works as an assertive exfoliant, considered to be a keratolytic medication, means that the acid is perfect to soften and slough away the top layer of the skin that faces the impurities from the outside world. Penetrating the skin, the acid section of the BHA molecule will come into contact with intercellular glue that holds the skin cells together and dissolve the “glue” holding it. Doing this will encourage exfoliation and unclogging of the pores. For blackheads, white heads and blemishes in particular, Salicylic acid works to combat the three factors that can contribute to them, these being excessive sebum production, the structure of Cutibacterium acnes and irregularity around skin cell renewal. Salicylic acid therefore targets skin cell renewal, pushes through the excess oil, unclogs the pores and breaks down the debris that then leads to the cause of blemishes and breakouts.

HOW TO USE SALICYLIC ACID?

Salicylic acid can be used morning and night but as an exfoliant it will increase your skin’s sensitivity to so never skip out on your SPF that can undo all of its efforts.

AVOID SALICYLIC ACID IF …

Depending on the percentage and how often it is used, Salicylic acid can sensitise the skin that results in dryness, redness, irritation or peeling and therefore anyone that suffers with dry skin should avoid using it. In addition, those that may be on certain medications should consult a doctor before use and if pregnant to avoid completely.

Discover our curated edit:

Best Direct Spot Treatment

The ideal treatment that will attach the lone blemishes that appear when they are least wanted. This blemish treatment will target the spot overnight with its 2% Salicylic acid and reduce its size as well as improve the skins texture. Avoiding the common issues with dryness around blemishes, the hydrating formula allows the spot to disappear without drying the skin.

Best Night Treatment

Known for its design of switching, Lixirskin offers products that are refined with active ingredients so not to allow the skin to be bored, offering a routine that can be switched often in order to stimulates the cells and encourage your best skin all at once. Focusing on less rather than more, this blend of salicylic acid with lactic and azelaic acid pushes for the dissolving of dead skin, revealing an even skin tone, reduction of pore size and blackheads over time.

Best For Use of Natural Oils

With its formulation harnessed from the power of natural oils, the Blemish Rescue Oil is designed with 2% Salicylic acid to penetrate pores for that desired deep clean, slough away dead skin cells and minimise scarring and irritation. Seamlessly blended with natural oils like Tamanu Oil, the miniature miracle oil leaves skin soft, healed and healthy without irritation. Bonus, hand blended in the UK, recyclable and not containing any nasty ingredients, the emerald green bottle is a gem for the skin as well as the earth.

Best for Daily Use

Designed in an exfoliating liquid that can be used once or twice a day, the perfecting liquid exfoliant absorbs quickly, the leave-on exfoliant targets the surface as well as the dermis and minimises the appearance of pores. The lightweight texture delivers a potent result that encourages cell turnover leaving a smoother, more refined and radiant complexion.

Best for Clean/Vegan

Cruelty free, clean and vegan, this exfoliating serum banishes blemishes in a natural way. Blending both 2% Salicylic acid and Tea tree oil (a natural driver for detoxifying), the formula fights redness, acne, blackheads and whiteheads whilst smoothing and hydrating the skin. Investing other potent ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Lactic Acid, the cocktail mix soothes, hydrates and brightens whilst penetrating to the deepest layer of the skin’s dermis.

Best Budget Buy

For those that needs the results without emptying the bank account should call upon The Ordinary. This 2% treatment solution helps exfoliate the inside structure of the pores, supporting the clarity of the complexion. Used both morning and night and on the blemishes directly, this treatment is effective yet inexpensive.