Why You Need To Befriend Salicylic Acid Today

Written By Jennifer Raskin / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, has been a big buzz word in beauty in recent years. Alpha hydroxy acids are buzzworthy too, however salicylic acid is oil soluble so it can get deep down into your pores to help control sebum production and clear up breakouts.

Essentially, if you have blemish-prone skin, listen up. Because salicylic acid is going to be your go-to ingredient for clearing things up to have the kind of smooth and polished skin you’ve always wished for.

What Can Salicylic Acid Do?

When you use products that contain salicylic acid on your skin, it exfoliates to release the gunk down in your pores which helps clear up acne. Those unsightly zits are caused by dead skin, debris, dirt, and excess oils building up in your pores. When you have acne, it’s a vicious cycle for your skin.

That’s why getting to the root of it matters for clearing things up. Salicylic acid goes deep and clears everything away to help your skin regulate and produce sebum as it should while removing dead skin cells. With natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s great for getting rid of breakouts.

Using Salicylic Acid

Choose a cleanser with salicylic acid that has a concentration of 2 percent. Research has shown this to be the best dosage. You don’t want to overdo it because it can irritate and dry out skin. You should take care to apply an oil-free moisturizer after cleansing to balance things out. Avoid using it with glycolic acid too. That’s another strong exfoliant and pairing it with salicylic acid will be a disaster for your skin.

You’ll find salicylic acid in cleansers, creams, toners, and other skincare products. You’ll even find it in hair products and for treating warts and corns. Always use it carefully so as not to dry out your skin which can exacerbate your problems.

Don’t Use It If…

Not everyone will benefit from using salicylic acid. You should never use it if you have damaged skin or open wounds. Additionally, it’s never a good idea to apply it to skin that is extremely irritated or infected. If you are allergic to aspirin, you should never ever use salicylic acid.

If you’re using retinol, benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin, adapalene, or any other product that contains acid, you should proceed with extreme caution because these other ingredients also exfoliate and that could be too much for your skin. Your dermatologist can recommend what’s right.

One last thing…make sure you test out a small area of your skin with your new salicylic acid products first. This way you can make sure you don’t have any adverse reactions before using them on a larger area. For most people, salicylic acid is a fantastic agent in revealing clearer, more beautiful skin. If you can, give it a try!

Looking for 100% chemical-free, all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:

Jennifer Raskin is a freelance writer, wife and mom that loves cold weather despite her location in Florida, cooking, reading, watching ‘80s movies, weight-lifting, and wine tasting.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.