Salicylic acid and its benefits: why TF is everyone talking about it this season?

Salicylic acid: you’ve probably heard that it has benefits for acne prone skin, but how does it actually work and what are the best products to introduce it into your skincare routine this season? Let’s investigate…

• What is salicylic acid?
• What is salicylic acid good for?
• Salicylic acid benefits
• How often should you use salicylic acid?
• What are the best salicylic acid products?

What is salicylic acid?

Let’s have a very quick skincare science lesson; most of the products designed to relieve acne contain one of two types of face acid: beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs).

Both BHAs and AHAs exfoliate the skin, but:

• AHAs are water-soluble
• while BHAs are oil-soluble

Salicylic acid is a BHA.

AHAs work well on the skin’s surface to loosen old, dead skin and reveal fresh newer skin, but BHAs like salicylic acid have the benefit of being more oil-soluble than AHAs. 

This helps it to penetrate into the pores of the skin much more effectively to unclog them. 

What is salicylic acid good for?

Derived from willow bark, salicylic acid contains both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a popular choice to tackle a range of skin conditions including:

• Acne
• Redness and blotchiness
• Dandruff
• Warts

As well as often being used as an over-the-counter acne treatment, at higher concentrations salicylic acid is used to break down skin cells. This makes it a great treatment for warts and other skin growth, or as a milder chemical peel for people who want to rejuvenate or brighten their skin. 

So, let’s talk about salicylic acid benefits…

Whether you’re struggling with stubborn blackheads or simply looking to give your complexion a fresh sparkle, here are some of the benefits of salicylic acid, and why you should think about adding it to your skincare routine:

Exfoliates dead skin

Salicylic acid not only helps to remove dead skin cells sitting on the skin’s surface, but it also encourages cellular turnover which in turn can improve skin dullness and texture.

Removes excess oil

Salicylic acid is oil-soluble BHA, which means that it can penetrate beneath the skin’s surface to remove excess sebum from the pores to reduce that ‘oily’ look.

Unclogs pores 

By removing this excess oil that causes the skin cells to stick together, salicylic acid removes the contents of clogged pores that lead to superficial acne, like whiteheads, blackheads, and small red pimples.

Minimises pores

As well as unclogging them, salicylic acid can tighten the skin making it a key ingredient in reducing the size and appearance of pores.

Prevents future breakouts

Not only does salicylic acid treat existing breakouts, but by minimising your pores and removing dead skin cells regularly to stop a build up occurring, it can also help to prevent future breakdowns! 

Simply put: adding in Salicylic acid into your skincare regime whether that be with a cleanser, toner or just an acid can help to keep breakouts at bay

Reduces inflammation

Because of salicylic acid’s anti-inflammatory properties it’s a great choice if you struggle with irritation and redness related to breakouts.

But how often should you use salicylic acid?

The recommended concentration of a salicylic acid will vary from person to person, and how often you use salicylic acid depends on a number of different factors including:

• What you’re treating
• Your own unique skin
• What other skincare products you’re using

Generally, dermatologists recommend that you use salicylic acid in moderation until you know how your skin reacts to it. 

Start off applying it every few days, and listen to your skin. If you find that it’s getting irritated, take a day or two off – and up your moisturiser game.

What are the best salicylic acid products?

Keen to add salicylic acid into your daily skincare regieme? Here are some of our beauty editor’s top picks:

‘Peace Out’ acne healing dots: From £17

Peace Out Acne Dots uses a breakthrough formula of salicylic acid, aloe vera extract and vitamin A to give direct relief from unwanted spots.

One of the other products I was keen to add into my regime was the Botanical Lab Pumpkin and papaya enzymes + AHA Daily tonic. Ideal after cleansing, the tonic lightly exfoliates the skin to remove any dead skin cells. It unclogs the skin and resurfaces to renew the skin leaving it feel clean and soft.

Botanical Lab’s Aloe and Niacinamide blemish clarifying serum: £4.49

I have tried many niacinamide serums at various price points and this by far is my favourite, I noticed a difference after just one use. Botanical Lab’s Aloe and Niacinamide blemish clarifying serum helps to reduce sebum levels and help improve the overall appearance of skin.

It includes salicylic acid, tea tree and neem leaf to help lift impurities and reduce breakouts.

To be used after cleansing and toning, I used this of an evening straight onto the skin and within a couple of days my skin looked clearer and my breakouts have become much more under control.

Caudalie Purifying Toner: £18

Perfect for treating combination skin, the Caudalie purifying toner acts like a ‘vacuum for your pores’; it’s formulated with 100% natural salicylic acid, antioxidant, age-defying grape polyphenols, organic rosewater and antibacterial organic essential oils of rosemary and peppermint to purify skin without drying it out. 

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: £10.20

Suitable for breakout prone skin, this blend of charcoal and clay mask can help to reduce the appearance of imperfections while revealing newer, more radiant skin underneath.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque gives an ultra-deep cleanse that helps to draw out impurities from the pores to reduce the appearance of blackheads, blemishes and clogged pores.

Youth to the People Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask: £31

Hailed as the ‘perfect clay mask’, Youth to the People Superclay Purify + Clear Power Mask is a potent blue-grey in colour that strips pores of excess oil and dirt to help keep your complexion clear, calm and happy.

Supercharged with 2% niacinamide, and boosted with exfoliating salicylic acid benefits and balancing kombucha this triple-clay mask deep cleans and actively clears pores for skin that functions at its fullest potential.