How to use salicylic acid

Searching for a brand-new beauty product that’ll unclog your pores and leave your skin feeling softer, cleaner, and free from blemishes? Salicylic acid could be the one.

If putting acid on your face sounds a little scary, don’t worry! Salicylic acid is actually a type of natural skincare acid, meaning it’s entirely safe for use and can have numerous potential benefits for your complexion. It’s a key ingredient in lots of skincare products, including cleansers, serums, and gels.¹

Let’s break down exactly what this acid is, how to use it, and why it could be your skin’s new best friend.

What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is a type of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), a natural plant hormone that’s usually sourced from things like willow bark. It can penetrate through multiple layers of skin help break down clogs trapped underneath. When applied to the skin salicylic acid can get deep into pores and break down proteins which cause your skin cells to stick together.

Salicylic acid can additionally help combat bacteria which may be triggering spots and blackheads to appear on the surface.

The beauty benefits of salicylic acid

This nifty BHA has a whole host of possible benefits for the skin. It might help with spots, blemishes, blackheads, or persistently oily skin. Here are some of the main advantages of salicylic acid.²

It’s exfoliating

When used over several weeks, salicylic acid can help to exfoliate the skin and dissolve dead skin cells and oil, which may be clogging up your pores.³

It’s soothing

As well as ridding your skin of excess sebum and unwanted dirt through its deep cleansing abilities, salicylic acid may also help to reduce redness.

Because of these two significant benefits, salicylic acid can aid in keeping your pores free from build-up and balance out the overall pH level of your skin. Over time, you can hope to achieve a clearer and brighter complexion with a more even skin tone.

How to use salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is easy to use because it’s an active ingredient in so many skincare products. Most of these only contain small amounts of this skincare acid to ensure you reap the benefits without your skin drying out or becoming irritated.

You’ll spot salicylic acid specifically in dozens of products in our face gel and face wash ranges. These include Dr Organic Skin Clear Treatment Gel which is formulated to help combat redness, eliminate spots, and ultimately lead to clearer, less oily skin. Buy Face Care

Last updated: 16 September 2020