The Skin-Clearing Benefits of Salicylic Acid
If there’s one way to truly transform your skincare routine, it’s by levelling up your ingredient knowledge. You’ve probably heard of salicylic acid, the powerhouse BHA that helps restore clarity and balance to oily and acne-prone skin, but do you know exactly how it works, what it can do for your skin and how to use it in your routine?
Read on to discover why this multitasking ingredient could revolutionise your routine.
What Is Salicylic Acid?
Also known as beta hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid is an active ingredient extracted from willow tree bark. It is commonly used in skincare formulas, such as cleansers and serums, to chemically exfoliate the skin. Common concentrations range from 0.5-2% for daily formulas and up to 5% for more targeted treatments.
What Does Salicylic Acid Do?
"Salicylic acid is a desmolytic ingredient, which means it’s able to exfoliate by dissolving the bonds that hold the dead cells to skin’s surface,” Paula's Choice Skincare Education Specialist Heather Wish explains. Think of it as a hard-working exfoliant that clears your pores like a scrub but is chemical rather than physical.
What Is Salicylic Acid Good For?
To put it simply, if you have oily and acne-prone skin, salicylic acid may just be your saviour. “If you’re struggling with breakouts, blackheads or excess sebum, then salicylic acid is a great choice. Because salicylic acid is oil soluble, it also has the ability to penetrate into the pore lining and exfoliate inside the pore,” says Heather. “This makes it especially effective for reducing breakouts, blackheads and whiteheads.”
However, that doesn’t mean other skin types can’t reap the benefits of this BHA. “Even though salicylic acid is best known for its ability to address acne-prone skin concerns, it offers many additional properties that any skin type can benefit from,” explains Heather. “By exfoliating the build-up of dead skin on the surface, it also helps reverse the appearance of dull, uneven skin tone, as well as other visible signs of ageing skin.”
If your skin is sensitive, don’t feel like you have stray away from salicylic acid entirely. “You can look for a lower percentage of BHA,” says Heather. “1% will be more gentle and better suited.”
Can I Use Salicylic Acid Every Day?
In short, you can use salicylic acid every day – but not without building your skin’s tolerance first for a certain period. “The most important thing when introducing any active ingredient into your routine is to introduce it slowly,” says Heather. “In the case of salicylic acid, I always recommend to start using it 2-3 times a week and gradually increase to a frequency that works best for your skin. Paula’s Choice BHA exfoliants are safe to be used twice daily – however, not everyone will need this frequency.”
Are There Any Side Effects To Salicylic Acid?
With any potent ingredient, controlled – and monitored – usage is key, as you want to avoid excessive exfoliation that could lead to skin barrier damage. As Heather reminds us, “Many things can irritate your skin such as fragrance, essential oils and harsh alcohols, so before assuming your skin barrier is hurt because of excessive use of an active ingredient, always ensure to look at what else you’re using. Your skincare routine is only ever as good as your weakest product.”
How To Use Salicylic Acid In Your Skincare Routine
Unsurprisingly, salicylic acid comes in all shapes and sizes these days. So, whether you choose to have a salicylic acid cleanser, serum, moisturiser or even body wash, look out for the percentage, preferably don’t mix it with other exfoliants and make sure the rest of your routine is filled with more soothing formulas and ingredients. And let’s not forget sun exposure – if you’re going to be in direct sunlight, it’s best to incorporate into your PM routine.
Our Favourite Salicylic Acid Products
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, £13.00
Best Overall
Undeniably the most raved-about salicylic acid product of all time. “It’s our global bestselling product,” says Heather, “and it’s clear why. The qualities of this formula’s salicylic acid make it one of the fastest-acting ingredients in skincare, with almost immediate results.”
Medik8
Press & Clear, £35.00
Best Toner
If acne scarring is a concern, Medik8’s refillable toner combines salicylic acid with brightening tranexamic acid and blemish-busting polylysine to target existing breakouts, help prevent future ones and reduce the look of post-acne marks without compromising your skin barrier.
The INKEY List
Salicylic Acid Cleanser, £12.00
Best Cleanser
A salicylic acid cleanser is a gentle way to introduce the ingredient into your routine, especially if your skin is sensitive or reactive. You can use it daily or a few times a week in place of your regular cleanser to gently exfoliate. The INKEY List’s formula also includes zinc to balance excess oil and allantoin to soothe potential irritation.
The Ordinary
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque, £12.60
Best Mask
The Ordinary’s clay mask tackles blemishes from every angle: salicylic acid exfoliates dead skin cells and excess oil to promote a smoother texture, while charcoal and clay draw out pore-clogging impurities to help prevent breakouts.
Starface
Hydro-Star + Salicylic Acid Pimple Patches, £10.99
Best Spot Patches
For those with sensitive skin, these Starface stickers feature a gentle 1% salicylic acid formula to help you spot-target blemishes. They help exfoliate dead skin cells, unclog pores, absorb fluid, and calm inflammation to reduce angry spots. You can leave them on overnight and use them up to three times a week.
NATURIUM
The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash, £19.00
Best Body Wash
Did you know salicylic acid can also tackle body bumps? Naturium’s body wash gently exfoliates from head to toe, purifying pores and smoothing skin texture without leaving your skin dry, thanks to glycerin and linoleic-acid–rich oils.
Our Final Thoughts On Salicylic Acid
Given that it exfoliates, clears pores, fights acne, removes excess sebum and reduces inflammation, this is a BHA many of you won’t want to miss out on. For a deeper look at treating blemish-prone skin, take a look at our Guide to Acne.
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