Ingredients to love - Salicylic Acid
November 12, 2021 by Ana
The world is full of beauty products, and, we have to admit, when it comes to exfoliants, there are more than a few options available. No matter your age and skin type, you’ve got a product for you. From everything, however, today we choose to talk about Salicylic Acid, a skincare ingredient extracted from willow tree bark, used for exfoliation and the topical treatment of acne, and the only beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) used in skincare products.
What Is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble, FDA-approved skincare ingredient belonging to a class of ingredients called salicylates. There are synthetic versions used in skincare products, but it also forms naturally in willow bark, sweet birch bark, and wintergreen leaves.
It’s a fantastic exfoliator and a perfect choice, especially for oily skin, as it can keep pores clean and unclogged, preventing future whiteheads and blackheads from developing. However, because of its incredible properties, salicylic acid is now used to treat more than acne. Continue reading and find out all the reasons why we love Salicylic Acid so much.
Benefits of Salicylic Acid
As already mentioned, this ingredient works wonders when it comes to exfoliation and treating acne. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and can penetrate beneath the skin’s surface to reduce oiliness and clean out excess sebum from the pores. According to Naissan O. Wesley, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, salicylic acid acts as an anti-inflammatory and penetrates the skin, unclogging the pores, helping red, inflamed pimples and pustules go away, and preventing them from returning.
As an exfoliator, salicylic acid is keratolytic, sloughing off dead skin cells and encouraging cellular turnover, leading to glowing skin with better texture. And, as an astringent product, salicylic acid can reduce the appearance of pores and tighten the skin. Not to mention it is used as warts treatment. And, because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is an important ingredient in treating psoriasis.
How to Use Salicylic Acid
Another great news we have today is that you can find salicylic acid products available in most beauty and drugstores. If you are not sure about when to use it, we have two recommendations for you. You can use it twice a day as a toner and a targeted treatment with salicylic acid. Or, you can choose the exfoliant with salicylic acid options, only in the evening, a few times a week. No matter what type of product you choose, before applying to your entire face, patch test. Just use a small amount of the product in the evening. Apply it to an area on your forehead where the skin is thicker, and check if any irritation appears in 24hrs.
If your skin reacts well, you can begin applying the salicylic acid to your whole face. Make sure that you use no more than a pea-sized amount because too much can cause irritation. And, never scrub your face! As a chemical exfoliant, salicylic acid can loosen the dead skin cells without any scrubbing necessary. Just let the product soak in, and it will do its things.
For best results, don’t skip the other skincare steps. Moisturizing, for instance, is crucial and, to balance out the drying effects from your salicylic acid product, we recommend you use an oil-free moisturizer twice a day. Also, apply sunscreen daily and limit your time in the sun as salicylic acid does not fight against UV rays.
And, if you want to get rid of wrinkles at the same time, add Blumbody patches and pads to your beauty routine. Easy to apply, comfortable to wear, and carrying the promise of a visible improvement in your skin elasticity and tone, these pads and patches are the best companions for your beauty sleep! Add them in the evening before you get to bed, and let them do their magic, smoothening and eliminating wrinkles and aging signs while you rest.
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