Meet salicylic acid, your new partner-in-crime against uneven skin tone, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne. Though the word ‘acid’ may seem dangerous and scary, this active ingredient actually serves as your skin’s helping hand in removing dead skin cells. Since it functions as a beta hydroxy acid, it can get past the oils and the outer layers of your skin. You can count on salicylic acid to work its magic from the inside of your skin to make your face look clear and bright on the outside. Indeed, salicylic acid is a skincare ingredient that you need to incorporate into your routine—and here’s why:
Benefits of Using Salicylic Acid
Unlike most skincare ingredients, salicylic acid is an oil-soluble product that dives deep into your skin to fight some of the most common skincare problems. Once it gets inside the layers of your skin, this ingredient dissolves excess sebum and dead skin cells that are doing nothing but clogging your pores! It also works as an anti-inflammatory product, so when used properly, it can tame down any kind of redness and irritation on your skin. With regular use, you can expect these amazing results:
- Brighter skin
- Decreases redness
- Smoother skin
- Minimizes oiliness
- Reduces blackheads and whiteheads
- Less acne breakouts
How to Incorporate Salicylic Acid Into Your Skincare Routine
Since salicylic acid is a super ingredient, it is integrated in a wide array of skincare products. Having lots of options is pretty awesome, because you can choose specific products with salicylic acid and other superstar ingredients to target specific skin issues! Here are some of the factors and instructions that you need to consider when incorporating products with salicylic acid into your skincare routine:
1. Cleansers
A cleanser with salicylic acid is a great choice for individuals with oily and acne-prone skin! This superstar ingredient can boost your cleanser by making it more effecting in dissolving excess dirt and sebum in your skin. So your skin will definitely be super fresh and clean after every wash.
HOW TO USE:
- Wash your face with a salicylic acid cleanser before using any other skincare product.
- Use every AM and PM.
2. Toner
Your skincare routine for uneven skin is not complete without an intensive brightening toner. Since salicylic acid is both an exfoliator and an anti-inflammatory product, toners with this ingredient can gently remove dead skin cells and soothe redness. This will effectively make your skin look bright and even over time!
HOW TO USE:
- Use the toner after cleansing your face
- Apply the product to your skin using a cotton pad or a gauze pad
- Allow it to dry before using other products
3. Treatment
Are you battling with acne, whiteheads, or blackheads? You can combat these persistent skin problems by using an acne treatment with salicylic acid, since it targets the excess oil that causes pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads.
HOW TO USE:
- Apply the acne treatment with salicylic acid on your problem spots
- Use only every night
Precautions for Using Salicylic Acid
You want salicylic acid to work with you, not against you. To make it work in your favor, you need to take note of these safety measures:
1. Use the Proper Percentage
Hey, more salicylic acid does not necessarily translate to better results. In fact, using concentrations higher than 2 percent can cause skin peeling and irritation. So if you’re planning to use salicylic acid every day, look for products with a concentration of 0.5 to 2 percent for best results.
2. Moisturize!
This step is always important, regardless of your skin type and skincare routine. However, it’s even more important to moisturize your skin when you’re using salicylic acid, since the ingredient can be drying.
3. Avoid the Sun
Salicylic acid gently exfoliates your skin to make it brighter, but it can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun. This is another reason why it’s super important to apply sunscreen every morning.
Salicylic acid is a superstar ingredient that can get rid of numerous skin problems. You can have brighter and clearer skin by incorporating this into your skincare routine.