You’ve probably come across salicylic acid many times online and in stores. Whether you’re searching for a good exfoliator or an acne solution, this would pop up as one of the top recommendations, and for several good reasons. Discover what does salicylic acid do for acne-prone skin and how you can best incorporate it into your skin care routine.

What Is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), a type of chemical exfoliant used to treat acne and other skin issues by unclogging pores and breaking down dead skin cells. Acne affects up to 50 million Americans yearly, hence the rise in popularity of this skin care ingredient.

Your dermatologist can also recommend it if you have skin cell overgrowth, such as psoriasis, ichthyoses, dandruff, calluses and warts. 

What Does Salicylic Acid Do?

It can perform various functions for the skin:

As an Exfoliator

Compared to AHAs, a BHA like salicylic acid can penetrate your skin. Dr. Simon Ourian M.D., who was once featured in “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” explains this as a “wonderful ingredient to break down the ‘glue’ that holds skin cells together at a deeper level.” It gets rid of skin debris and deeply exfoliates, which is something AHA, like glycolic acid, can’t do, as it only deals with the skin’s surface layer.

As an Acne Solution

Salicylic acid has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help calm angry, red and inflamed breakouts. It also helps decrease oil, a well-known contributor to further acne, as it clogs the pores. 

As a Treatment for Blackheads and Whiteheads

Excess oil production and dead skin cells can result in clogged pores, also known as blackheads and whiteheads. While your usual nose pore strips work, they can be harsh for the skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. This is where salicylic acid comes in — it sloughs off skin cells and excess oil, removing these pesky issues.

As an Anti-Aging Agent

Thanks to its exfoliating properties, salicylic acid can help remove dead skin cells, which may help lessen the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. However, it doesn’t work well alone as an anti-aging product.

The Many Forms of Salicylic Acid

Topical salicylic acid comes in various forms and strengths. Here are some of the most common ones.

• Cleanser: A cleanser can be an effective way to introduce the ingredient into your skin care routine. Cleansers usually contain low concentrations of this BHA compared to other formulations.

• Ointment: An ointment has a higher salicylic acid concentration and is often used to treat dandruff, seborrhoeic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis.
  
• Serum: A serum is more concentrated and formulated to address specific concerns like acne, whiteheads and blackheads. Depending on the severity of acne, it can be used as a spot treatment.

Side Effects to Watch Out For

Like anything else, salicylic acid can be harmful to your skin. Pay attention to these signs, and if you experience them, consult your dermatologist.

• Redness: After using salicylic acid, a temporary redness is expected, especially during the first few days. This happens because exfoliation can make your skin more sensitive to other products. If redness persists, stop using it.
  
• Flakiness: Does your face look grayish after applying serum? Dead skin cells could be accumulating on the surface. If this happens more frequently, it may be time to give your skin a break.
  
• Breakouts: Overuse can lead to overexfoliation, which can further trigger acne breakouts. This happens when your skin care products can’t keep up with the production of new cells, clogging your pores.

What Does the Internet Say About Salicylic?

You’ve probably read articles and watched videos about what salicylic acid does to the skin. We’ve scoured Reddit’s SkincareAddiction subreddit for unfiltered opinions about this BHA so you can get honest feedback.

“I live on salicylic acid! nearly instantly deals with closed comedones and smooths out my skin beautifully. It does help a bit with blackheads for my nose but they’re stubborn. I am considering extraction via facial. BTW, I have combination mature skin and on hormone therapy for endometriosis.” – User mooshminkling

“I randomly developed bacne in my mid twenties (am 30 now, still mildly have it 🤷🏻‍♀️ )but if I consistently use SA on my back it clears it up” – User plantmama2

“I find that salicylic acid makes me break out. But I do have sebaceous filaments so I don’t know how to get rid of them… I’ll be looking out to see what people say here!” – User Mhm2-dan

Skin Care Tips for Using This Powerful BHA

As you’ve probably noticed, salicylic acid has pros and cons. Follow these tips to maximize its benefits and lower the risk of experiencing the side effects.

1. Introduce It Slowly Into Your Routine

Not all skin can tolerate this type of acid well. The best approach is to choose a product with a lower concentration of this ingredient and use it a few times weekly. If you have acne, start with a gentle cleanser, then apply a water-based, noncomedogenic moisturizer. Do a patch test on your jawline or behind the ear. Observe for a day to see if there are signs of irritation.

2. Avoid Using or Mixing With Specific Ingredients

Salicylic acid is a powerful ingredient that shouldn’t be mixed with specific skin care ingredients, including:

• Vitamin C: This is a potent ingredient used to treat uneven skin tone and stimulate collagen production. Mixing it with other acids like salicylic can trigger irritation and breakouts. You can use vitamin C in the morning and salicylic acid at night.
  
• Retinol: It’s a form of vitamin A that helps trigger collagen production, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It needs to be converted into an active form of vitamin A to be beneficial to the skin. Applying it at the same time with a BHA can prevent this process from happening. It’s best to use them on alternate days.
  
• Benzoyl peroxide: Both benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are used to prevent acne formation and help minimize its appearance. However, using both at the same time can increase your risk of irritation and dryness. 

Experience the Wonders of Salicylic Acid

Now that you know what does salicylic acid do, it’s time to take action. Remember to try a lower concentration first to avoid unwanted irritation. If you have skin conditions, make sure to talk to your dermatologist first before trying it out.