Salicylic Acid
FOR THE SKIN
What is
SALICYLIC ACID?
Salicylic Acid is an active skincare ingredient that exfoliates skin, controls excess sebum (oil) production, and keeps pores clear. It's great for blemish‑prone skin and can refine and refresh your skin in as little as 7 days with daily use.
You'll commonly find it in cleansers and spot treatment products, but it can also be found in acne‑friendly make‑up products and anti‑dandruff shampoo.
Salicylic Acid is available in different concentrations, with each concentration designed for a specific purpose. Higher concentrated Salicylic Acid is used as a peeling agent, which can reduce the appearance of acne, melasma and dark spots, while lower concentrations can be used on a daily basis in cleansers and toners.
If you've clicked on this article then there's a high chance you've wondered: what is Salicylic Acid and what does Salicylic Acid do for your skin? This guide covers a wide range of Salicylic Acid‑related topics, including: how to use Salicylic Acid, is Salicylic Acid a BHA, does Salicylic Acid make acne worse before it gets better, and much more.
Read on to discover the benefits of this wonderful active ingredient, and find out if Salicylic Acid could help boost your skincare routine.
Is Salicyclic Acid a
BHA?
One of the more common questions you may have seen floating around: is Salicylic Acid a BHA? Salicylic Acid is indeed a type of Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), which are organic compounds commonly used in cosmetics. Although its name might suggest that Salicylic Acid is entirely artificial, it naturally occurs in plants such as willow trees due to its natural ability to promote exfoliation, which helps to protect the plant from bacterial infection.
Skincare products tend to use synthetic Salicylic Acid, but this form is approved by the cosmetics industry and the FDA, and is championed for its blemish‑fighting properties.
Now you know how to answer if anyone asks you: is Salicylic Acid a BHA? You might also be wondering: is Salicylic Acid good for acne? Read on to find out more.
Salicylic Acid
Benefits: Protection against acne‑causing bacteria, exfoliation of the skin, relief of inflammation, reduction of sebum production.
Application: Treatment of symptoms of mild acne, all types of blackheads and spots.
Uses: Products containing lower concentrations of the active ingredient can be added to your daily skin care routine.
Special Features: Salicylic acid is a BHA (beta‑hydroxy acid), an organic compound found in plants such as willow trees.
What is
Salicyclic Acid good for?
Thanks to its natural exfoliant properties, Salicylic Acid is great for treating symptoms of lighter acne, such as blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Salicylic Acid penetrates deep into the skin where it breaks down dead skin cells that would otherwise clog your pores. But what else is Salicylic Acid good for? Here are 5 main benefits of Salicylic Acid:
Frequently asked questions about
salicylic acid for the skin:
It's fine to use Salicylic Acid as part of your daily skincare routine. Doing so will help to keep your skin clarified and refreshed while limiting excess oil production. However, when you're beginning with any new exfoliant or skin peeling ingredient, we'd recommend easing into it by limiting use to twice a week for the first few weeks.
Purging in a skincare sense means an increased rate of skin cell turnover. This process can occur when an active ingredient such as Salicylic Acid comes in contact with skin, exposing a new layer of skin cells beneath. With this, all manner of other pimple‑causing things are brought to the surface along with the skin cells, including excess oil and dead skin cells that would otherwise clog pores.
As a result, a fresh wave of pimples may appear. However, unlike a bad reaction to a new product – which can cause breakouts in areas of skin where they typically don't appear – purging pimples form in the usual areas and tend to fade away quicker than normal.
Although purging may not occur, it's completely understandable to be alarmed if it does. You may even wonder: does Salicylic Acid make acne worse before it gets better? Read on to learn more about this topic.
One of the more common skincare‑related questions focuses on the combined use of different products. Ever asked yourself, can I use Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide together? Well, we can safely say yes – it's fine to use Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide at the same time.
In fact, the two ingredients complement each other and can be especially effective for oily skin. Salicylic Acid handles the task of penetrating deep into the skin to clear excess oil and dead skin cells, while Niacinamide provides a wave of nourishing hydration. Together, these two ingredients can leave your skin feeling purified, clearer and moisturised, making them an ideal choice for a daily skincare routine.
Although Salicylic Acid works well against acne and the bacteria that causes it, the purging process may initially worsen symptoms of acne. This potentially alarming process shouldn't last any longer than 6 weeks, and it's worth the wait as your skin should appear clearer and brighter than before.
If it does last longer than 6 weeks, or you think you may be experiencing a bad reaction instead of purging, stop using the product and consult a dermatologist right away.
Salicyclic Acid
SKINCARE ROUTINE
How you should use Salicylic Acid depends largely on the type of product – higher concentrations are best used sparingly. Others, such as those in the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear range, are formulated for daily use. Below is our step‑by‑step guide on how to use Salicylic Acid in your skincare routine.
- Cleanse
Start by washing your face with a gentle but effective Salicylic Acid cleanser, such as the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel. This will remove any make‑up and impurities while deeply cleansing the pores to help prevent blemishes from reappearing. Gently massage it onto a wet face, being careful to avoid the sensitive eye area, then rinse it off.
- Tone
Follow cleansing by gently applying a Salicylic Acid toner. The NIVEA Derma Skin Toner is a fantastic option as it will rebalance the skin's pH level and remove any excess oil, make‑up or dirt without further clogging the pores. This will also prepare your skin for moisturising.
- Scrub
To achieve an even clearer complexion, swap the cleanser for a Salicylic Acid scrub in 2–3 of your daily night‑time routines. The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti‑Blemish Scrub can unclog pores and refine the skin without drying it out, so it's ideal for oily skin types. As with the cleanser, simply massage the scrub onto a wet face and gently rinse away.
- Exfoliate
Finish off your daily night‑time routine with a chemical exfoliator, such as the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Chemical Exfoliator. This anti‑bacterial purifying formula combines Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide & Glycolic Acid to support the skin's natural renewal process while providing visibly clearer skin in as little as 7 days.
Rounding off your
SALICYLIC ACID SKINCARE ROUTINE
The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear range can be used in both your morning and night‑time routine, and like all routines, it's best to round off with a nourishing moisturiser.
The NIVEA Mattifying Day Cream is the perfect compliment, as it intensely moisturises skin while removing any excess oil to leave your skin looking refreshed and shine‑free for the day ahead. For night‑time, apply the NIVEA Hydra Skin Effect Regeneration Gel Night Cream for up to 72 hours of hydration, leaving your skin feeling supple, smooth and regenerated.
You might notice some very light stinging when using Salicylic Acid for the first time, but this is completely normal and to be expected. However, when you're using any new product for the first time, we'd recommend seeking a professional opinion, and only testing a small area of skin before applying any larger amounts. And of course, always avoid using Salicylic Acid on irritated skin.
NIVEA
DERMA SKIN CLEAR RANGE
The innovative NIVEA Derma Skin Clear range is formulated with clearer, refined skin in mind. Harnessing the clarifying combination of Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide to unclog pores and reduce the appearance of whiteheads & blackheads with regular use. If your skin is prone to blemishes and breakouts, this high‑quality range might be the solution you've been looking for.
As always, consult a dermatologist before trying any new skincare product, and always follow the instructions on the label.
Salicylic Acid
at a glance
Salicylic Acid is an active ingredient in skin care products that exfoliates the skin, controls the production of excess sebum and unclogs pores. Ideal for skin prone to blemishes, Salicylic Acid can refine and refresh your skin in as little as 7 days with daily use. Four benefits of Salicylic Acid are:
- Protection from acne‑causing bacteria
- Exfoliates the skin
- Soothes inflammation
- Controls the production of excess sebum
