Salicylic acid for acne: does it help and how to use it

Does salicylic acid help with acne?

Salicylic acid (BHA-acid) – hydroxybenzoic or phenolic fat-soluble acid. Salicylic acid is a powerful antiseptic, has anti-inflammatory and keratolic effects, accelerates the process of cell regeneration, deeply cleanses pores from sebum accumulations, and regulates the activity of the sebaceous glands. Due to these properties, it is considered an indispensable component in the care of oily problem skin.

In addition to the fact that BHA-acid prevents the appearance of acne and new inflammatory processes, it effectively fights existing imperfections by improving microcirculation and accelerating the healing process of the skin. Salicylic acid for acne is often used in topical SOS products. Spot application of the product is suitable for adolescents with acne and acts aimingly at the focus of inflammation.

What Other Skin Problems Does Salicylic Acid Help With?

  • Blackheads, comedones, blackheads: exfoliates the horny layer of cells, cleanses and reduces pores, prevents clogging, has an antimicrobial effect.
  • Dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrhea: relieves peeling, starts the process of tissue renewal, has an antipruritic effect.
  • It starts: renews the upper layer of the epidermis, whitens stagnant spots, evens out scars.
  • First signs of aging: evens skin tone and relief, brightens age spots, smoothes wrinkles.

Useful properties of salicylic acid for facial skin

Let’s analyze what actions salicylic acid has for the skin and why it is one of the most popular components in the composition of a regular beauty routine. Key properties of beta hydroxy acid:

  • Antiseptic and bactericidal;
  • Healing;
  • Cleansing;
  • Anti-inflammatory;
  • Regenerating;
  • Exfoliating;
  • seboregulatory;
  • Preventing hyperpigmentation;

Using salicylic acid for acne

How does salicylic acid work against acne and blackheads? Firstly, the substance helps to cleanse the skin, drawing out excess sebum from the pores, simultaneously narrowing them and reducing the work of the sebaceous glands. Sebaceous plug creates an ideal environment for the growth of acne bacteria, so cleansing is the first step in preventing breakouts.

Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action allows you to destroy bacteria, quickly relieve redness and soothe the skin. The keratolic action destroys the intercellular bonds of dead cells, exfoliates them, additionally cleanses and starts the regenerative processes of the skin. Exfoliation and renewal of the epidermis prevents the appearance of post-acne marks without disturbing the pH of the skin.

Simply put, salicylic acid for acne is an effective remedy and has proven itself well among dermatologists. Active cosmetics based on it can be found in pharmacies and at the appointment of a beautician. We will analyze what forms of release of BHA-acid exist and in what form it is used in cosmetology.

Salicylic acid has different functionality depending on its concentration in the composition of a cosmetic product.. For example, at a concentration of 0,5 – 2%, the substance is used as an exfoliant and is found in the basis of peels, at a concentration of less than 0,5%, due to its antiseptic properties, it can be used as an ecological cosmetic preservative.

In what dosages the ingredient is used in cosmetic formulas

  • The optimal concentration of salicylic acid in facial skin care products is 2%.
  • Formulas containing 3% acid can be used on other areas of the body, such as the back or chest – such products effectively get rid of acne and relieve inflammation.
  • Keratolic products with an acid concentration of up to 9% are used to exfoliate dead skin cells.
  • Warts are treated with salicylic acid at a concentration of 10% to 30%, usually a prescription is needed to purchase such products.

As part of cosmetic formulas, the component is the safest and most effective, as it is supplemented with an auxiliary complex of active substances aimed at treating acne, for example, hydro-fixers that protect the skin from dehydration, sebum-regulating zinc, soothing niacinamide, and healing panthenol. The occurrence of an allergic reaction and irritation against the background of the use of professional care is minimized, so dermatologists recommend using proven cosmetics, and not alcohol solutions of salicylic acid.

Overview of Salicylic Acid Acne Treatments

Cosmetics with salicylic acid for acne are available in different formats: creams, gels, fluids, cleansers (washing the skin), tonics, lotions, masks, peels, scrubs, shampoos and hair conditioners. There are also sunscreens for oily problem skin with this substance.

The basis of cosmetic formulas most often includes additional caring components. For example, the Effaclar pore tightening lotion contains, in addition to BHA-acid, LHA-acid (lipo-hydroxy acid) for effective and gentle exfoliation of the stratum corneum of the skin and safe cleansing.

Effectively cleanses pores, helps reduce pore size, mattifies

Effaclar Lotion — Where can one buy:

At the moment, La Roche-Posay products are not available for purchase in the official online store. You can purchase our products in other channels you know – in pharmacies, other authorized partners and online marketplaces

Effaclar K(+) corrective emulsion for oily and combination skin also contains an acid complex (BHA-acid + LHA-acid) and an additional antioxidant complex (carnosine + vitamin E) to protect cells from the negative effects of free radicals.

Prevents the formation of blackheads, evens out the skin texture, mattifies the skin for 8 hours

Effaclar K(+) — Where can one buy:

At the moment, La Roche-Posay products are not available for purchase in the official online store. You can purchase our products in other channels you know – in pharmacies, other authorized partners and online marketplaces

Concentrated serum Effaclar against imperfections of oily problematic skin contains a complex of three acids (BHA-acid + LHA-acid + glycolic acid) for intensive skin renewal, smoothing the skin microrelief, cleansing and narrowing pores.

Reduces pronounced imperfections and visibly tightens pores, reduces traces of post-acne, imperfections appear less frequently

Effaclar Serum — Where can one buy:

At the moment, La Roche-Posay products are not available for purchase in the official online store. You can purchase our products in other channels you know – in pharmacies, other authorized partners and online marketplaces

Exposure to sunlight often provokes increased activity of the sebaceous glands, which can lead to exacerbation of acne and the appearance of residual marks on the skin. Effaclar DUO+ SPF30 Correcting Cream-Gel not only reduces the number of imperfections and clogged pores, but also protects the skin from UVA-/UVB-rays and aggressive environmental factors.

All the benefits of SPF30 protection, combined with the comfort of a daily skin care product, leaves no white marks on the skin, reduces the appearance of imperfections and clogged pores.

Effaclar Duo(+) spf30/ppd10 — Where can one buy:

At the moment, La Roche-Posay products are not available for purchase in the official online store. You can purchase our products in other channels you know – in pharmacies, other authorized partners and online marketplaces

The combination of salicylic acid with other ingredients in cosmetics

Dermatologists do not recommend using salicylic acid products in combination with products based on retinol (vitamin A), as well as in combination with other BHA acids to avoid dryness, redness, burning, and flaking. Powerful keratolic components, complementing each other, damage the hydrolipidic epidermal barrier and irritate the skin.

Also, do not use products based on a drying agent more than 2 times a day, morning and evening (follow the instructions on the product package) – this can also cause tissue dehydration. Complement your beauty routine with moisturizing products to keep oily skin hydrated.

Leave a Reply