Introduction: What is Salicylic Acid and Why is it Used in Facial Cleansers?
Most chemical exfoliants in facial cleansers are based on salicylic acid.
Salicylic acid chemically removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin by breaking down keratin. It gets rid of dirt and oil, opens up pores, reduces pimples and blackheads, and makes the texture and tone of the skin better.
It also stops the growth of bacteria that cause acne and reduces swelling and redness.
What Can It Do For My Skin? Pros & Cons of Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is used to treat acne and other skin problems like warts, corns, and calluses.
It can also be used to loosen the top layer of oily skin so that it can be removed or dried out.
You can use Salicylic Acid as a cream, a lotion, or a cleanser, depending on your preference.
Salicylic acid can help with inflammation, acne, blackheads, and oily skin, which are all good things. A great way to treat keratosis pilaris is also with salicylic acid.
The bad things about salicylic acid are that it can dry out the skin and make acne worse. Overall, there isn’t a clear answer to the question of whether or not salicylic acid works, because it has both pros and cons.
Different Types of Salicylic Acids and their Benefits for the Skin
Salicylic acid is a common ingredient in over-the-counter acne treatments. It is available in various forms, including gels, creams, and lotions.
Different types of Salicylic Acids and their benefits for the skin:
1) Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs): These are derived from food sources such as milk, oranges or kefir grains. They are used as an exfoliant to reduce the appearance of wrinkles or age spots by shedding dead skin cells.
2) Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs): BHAs are derived from natural sources such as pineapples or sugars cane. They exfoliate by removing any dirt or debris clogging pores that can cause blackheads and whiteheads.
3) Lactic Acid: This type of acid causes a chemical reaction on the skin that produces lactic acid; it also has antibacterial properties to reduce the oil production on oily skin types which may help with acne.
4) Citric acid: This type of acid is similar to lactic acid, but has some anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce redness and swelling.
5) Salicylic Acid: This type of acid is an antibacterial agent that helps clear pores and fight acne while drying out oily skin.
What’s the Best Way To Use It? Precautions And Storage Tips
Salicylic acid should only be used in products that are made for your skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, it is best to use gel-based products because they are less likely to irritate the skin.
Some things to watch out for are if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have sensitive, dry, or sunburned skin, if the product gets in your eyes or mouth, and if the product seems to irritate your skin after you use it, stop using it and consult a dermatologist.
Last storage tip: If you want your product to last longer, don’t keep it in places where the temperature might change, like near radiators or windowsills.
Timeless Prescription Anti-Blemish Lotion is an excellent overnight spot treatment for pimples.
Timeless Prescription Anti-Blemish contains active ingredients, such as calamine and salicylic acid to calm irritated skin associated with acne.