Are you discovering the existence of chemical exfoliators?
Are you contemplating shifting from physical exfoliators to chemical exfoliators?
Then, you might have heard of salicylic acid.
However, is salicylic acid the right choice for exfoliation? What are the benefits of salicylic acid? How to use salicylic acid?
Don’t worry this article will clear all your doubts!
What is Salicylic Acid?
In the dermatological world, BHAs (beta hydroxy acids) are a crucial part of acne scar treatment. Another commonly used acid is AHA (alpha hydroxy acids).
Both AHAs and BHAs have significance in the skincare routine. While AHAs are water-soluble, BHAs are oil-soluble. This property gives them the advantage to sink deeper through the lipid layers.
BHAs mildly exfoliate the skin and remove the dead skin cell layer.
Clogged pores are the predominant cause of acne-especially blackheads and whiteheads, and the removal of dead skin cells prevents that.
How to use Salicylic Acid?
Since salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it breaks down the glue binding the skin cells together.
When using salicylic acid to treat acne, keep in mind to not exfoliate your skin more than necessary or as prescribed by the best dermatologist for acne treatment.
Using high amounts of salicylic acid daily may have adverse effects.
Further, do not forget to use a retinoid/retinol cream over the salicylic acid. Retinol can be a little harsh on the skin-especially when the pores are exposed after exfoliation.
Retinoid, on the other hand, is mild and enhances the effects of salicylic acid on the skin. It ensures that the skin does not get dry.
Salicylic acid for acne treatment can be used in the form of face wash and serums. Serums can easily go deeper into the skin, and since they stay on the skin for a longer time, it shows more effectiveness.
However, do not start with high amounts of salicylic acid. Take baby steps and gradually increase the frequency of usage. Initially, only apply salicylic acid on the affected areas of the skin.
Further, do a patch test before incorporating BHAs into your skincare routine. Do not fret if your skin gets dry during the first few uses. It can be a drastic change for your skin to shift to chemical exfoliators.
Consult the best dermatologist near you to get professional guidance on the use of salicylic acid.
What are the Benefits of Salicylic Acid
AHAs and BHAs are great for the skin and improve the skin barrier. They are great for people with oily acne-prone skin.
It gives a high level of exfoliation experience and works best for removing blackheads and whiteheads. It is anti-inflammatory and removes pustules.
Salicylic acid for keratosis pilaris works wonders. It occurs due to the increase of keratin on the skin, clogging the hair follicles.
Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and unclogs the pores. The salicylic acid body wash is the best way to get rid of keratosis pilaris.
At lower levels, salicylic acid also helps with skin dandruff. Acne due to dandruff is a common skin issue and can also clog the pores.
Key Takeaways
Salicylic acid helps to reduce acne scars and is dermatologist recommended. However, you need to be careful about the amount you are applying.
If you have high levels of inflammation and irritated skin, it is best to visit a professional dermatologist for acne treatments.
Orthoderma clinic has the best dermatologist in Ludhiana, specialising in acne treatments. We understand the client’s skin issues and take action accordingly. We take pride in our happy customer diaries and high result rate.