When you first start using salicylic acid in your daily skincare routine, it can often be a little daunting to figure out exactly where to use it and whether it will work with your existing routine.
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and is often favored by those prone to breakouts, such as acne and blemishes.
Salicylic acid works a little differently on the skin than popular alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid because its smaller molecular size means it can penetrate further into the skin and deeper into the pores. Salicylic acid is also oil-soluble, which means it works to unclog excess sebum, bacteria, dirt, debris, and other impurities from pores.
Although salicylic acid works on the lower layers of the skin, it works to remove dead skin cells from the outer surface that can build up over time and lead to acne and other breakouts.
If you want to learn more about how salicylic acid affects your skin, check out this blog post on the skincare benefits of smart BHAs. You can also find a dedicated blog post about using serum salicylic acid in your daily life. Now that we've discussed how salicylic acid affects your skin, let's explore how you can incorporate salicylic acid into your skincare routine.
What is the role of salicylic acid in skin care products?
This depends on the formulation of the product containing salicylic acid, as a general skincare rule is to apply products in order of consistency from thin to thick.
It is considered the best way to reap the benefits of active ingredients in skin care products. Many times, salicylic acid is found in a range of skin care products, such as cleansers, toners and serums. Choosing which products to use will help you better understand where you need salicylic acid in your daily routine.
While there are many options, exfoliating toners are the most popular products.
Toners are powerful products that can help remove dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from your skin. Another benefit of using a salicylic acid-rich toner is that it doesn't stay on the skin for long, meaning it won't cause severe dryness or irritation.
Other skincare products, such as serums or moisturizers, last longer and are used towards the end of your daily skincare routine. You'll also find that the formula contains a higher concentration of potent substances.
Therefore, it is recommended that you do not use serums or moisturizers until your skin has developed a certain tolerance to BHA. This will prevent unwanted irritation, skin reactions or severe dryness.
What else can I use besides salicylic acid?
Which came first, salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid?
How to introduce salicylic acid?
Should I use salicylic acid before niacinamide?
It is considered the best way to reap the benefits of active ingredients in skin care products. Many times, salicylic acid is found in a range of skin care products, such as cleansers, toners and serums. Choosing which products to use will help you better understand where you need salicylic acid in your daily routine.
While there are many options, exfoliating toners are the most popular products.
Toners are powerful products that can help remove dead skin cells, dirt, bacteria, and other impurities from your skin. Another benefit of using a salicylic acid-rich toner is that it doesn't stay on the skin for long, meaning it won't cause severe dryness or irritation.
Other skincare products, such as serums or moisturizers, last longer and are used towards the end of your daily skincare routine. You'll also find that the formula contains a higher concentration of potent substances.
Therefore, it is recommended that you do not use serums or moisturizers until your skin has developed a certain tolerance to BHA. This will prevent unwanted irritation, skin reactions or severe dryness.
What else can I use besides salicylic acid?
There are several ingredients that work with salicylic acid.
Keep in mind that not all ingredients listed should be coated with salicylic acid. So try alternating more potent ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid throughout the day. For example, using a salicylic acid toner as part of your morning routine can remove impurities from your skin.
Subsequent use of Retinol in your evening routine allows time to ensure skin's pH is rebalanced and ready to absorb other skincare ingredients.
Before applying any of these formulas to your skin, I highly recommend consulting your doctor or dermatologist to find what works best for you and your skin. You can also do a 24-hour patch test before applying the product to your face to avoid unnecessary irritation.
Keep in mind that not all ingredients listed should be coated with salicylic acid. So try alternating more potent ingredients like retinol and glycolic acid throughout the day. For example, using a salicylic acid toner as part of your morning routine can remove impurities from your skin.
Subsequent use of Retinol in your evening routine allows time to ensure skin's pH is rebalanced and ready to absorb other skincare ingredients.
Before applying any of these formulas to your skin, I highly recommend consulting your doctor or dermatologist to find what works best for you and your skin. You can also do a 24-hour patch test before applying the product to your face to avoid unnecessary irritation.
Which came first, salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid?
For best results, try using the salicylic acid first, as it will remove all the dead skin cells from the skin. This reveals fresher skin that is more absorbent and ensures that anything subsequently applied to the skin penetrates quickly to the lower layers of the skin.
This is ideal for follow-up applications of hyaluronic acid, as the acid's moisturizing properties draw moisture into the skin and lock it in place, allowing the skin barrier to benefit from a constant flow of moisture. This creates a healthy barrier and protects the skin from free radicals such as pollution, UV rays, central heating and other environmental aggressors.
This is ideal for follow-up applications of hyaluronic acid, as the acid's moisturizing properties draw moisture into the skin and lock it in place, allowing the skin barrier to benefit from a constant flow of moisture. This creates a healthy barrier and protects the skin from free radicals such as pollution, UV rays, central heating and other environmental aggressors.
How to introduce salicylic acid?
Many people find that introducing salicylic acid into their routine begins with an exfoliating toner, as this is one of the most effective products without over-irritating the skin. Once you've developed some tolerance to the potent stuff, you can move on to a salicylic acid fortifying serum, which will bring a higher level of acidity to the mix.
Remember to apply a salicylic acid product at night first once a week to protect your skin from excessive UV exposure. This will allow the skin to reap the benefits of BHA without the side effects.
As I mentioned before, make sure you and your skin are happy with this addition to your routine, and try to avoid any breakouts such as breakouts and irritations.
Remember to apply a salicylic acid product at night first once a week to protect your skin from excessive UV exposure. This will allow the skin to reap the benefits of BHA without the side effects.
As I mentioned before, make sure you and your skin are happy with this addition to your routine, and try to avoid any breakouts such as breakouts and irritations.
Should I use salicylic acid before niacinamide?
Yes, you can use salicylic acid before niacinamide. You'll find that Niacinamide has similar skin benefits to Hyaluronic Acid, with the main difference being its ability to regulate sebum production.
This often means that niacinamide is the go-to choice for those prone to acne, as it helps moisturize and keep skin clear without interfering with the action of salicylic acid.
This often means that niacinamide is the go-to choice for those prone to acne, as it helps moisturize and keep skin clear without interfering with the action of salicylic acid.
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