How Can Salicylic Acid Products Reduce Acne? Know Its Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects

With a hectic lifestyle and environmental pollution, it is difficult to have flawless skin. While some individuals suffer from dry and dull skin, others have to deal with acne-related problems, leaving unwanted scars on the face. It therefore often results in losing confidence and increasing insecurities. But what if I tell you that salicylic acid can be the biggest savior in this case?

Salicylic acid, with its amazing anti-inflammatory properties, can cure acne scars, and if used properly, can prevent further breakouts as well. However, salicylic acid can only be pronounced when used at the right amount, that is, between 0.5% and 5%.

So, in this blog, let’s explore the effects of salicylic acid on acne-prone skin, its benefits, uses, dosage, and everything else.

What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is one of the members of a compound group called beta-hydroxy acids, which is found in wintergreen, sweet birch, willow bark, etc. However, this fat-soluble agent can be artificially synthesized.

Apart from using salicylic acid in sunscreens for providing sun protection, its anti-inflammatory properties make it equally useful for treating various dermatological conditions, such as acne, vulgaris, psoriasis, warts, multiple fungal infections, photoaging skin, and other related infections.

Various uses and benefits of salicylic acid have increased its popularity among multiple brands offering effective and the best skin care products. As a result, this ingredient is used in cleansers, creams, soaps, sunscreens, pads, lotions, and other items related to skincare.

Overall Benefits of Salicylic Acid on the Skin

One of the key factors responsible for the growing popularity of salicylic acid is its effective exfoliating tendencies. Upon application, it can dissolve the ‘cement’ that helps to bind the dead skin cells together, promoting smooth skin. Furthermore, it can prevent excessive sebum secretion in individuals suffering from acne scars or breakouts and helps to get rid of the two most common comedones, such as whiteheads and blackheads.

Let’s give you an overall idea as to how the application of salicylic acid can benefit our skin.

1. Skin Exfoliation

One of the most common benefits of using Salicylic acid face wash for acne is that it can exfoliate the skin by preventing the formation of dead skin cells. As a result, it can improve the overall skin texture, keeping dryness or dullness away.

2. Comedolytic

Incorporating salicylic acid in your daily skincare routine can also help to dissolve the small acne papules and block the new ones from forming, resulting in the flawless skin that you have always desired.

3. Prevents Oily Skin

If you want to use salicylic acid for acne spots, then having a proper idea about how positively it works on oily skin is very essential. This ingredient helps reduce excessive sebum secretion, which is why any product containing salicylic acid can decrease the oiliness in the skin. It can prevent further acne formation as well.

Benefits of Salicylic Acid on Preventing Acne

Salicylic acid is often considered to be one of the key ingredients for reducing acne and getting glowing and flawless skin. We experience an excessive acne breakout when our hair follicles get clogged due to oil, dead skin cells, whiteheads, and blackheads. However, salicylic acid can penetrate the skin and disband the dead skin cells responsible for the clogged pores, reducing acne formation and eliminating the already existing acne.

Expecting an instant result is next to impossible. Whether you use salicylic acid cream for acne or any other product containing the same ingredient on the skin, it is likely to take at least six weeks to show positive results. However, it is advisable to take a certified dermatologist’s suggestion on how and when to use a salicylic-based product.

What Is the Recommended Dosage of Salicylic Acid on the Salicylic-based Products?

The dosage or use of salicylic-based products is different, which mainly depends on what you want to use. For example, the percentage of salicylic acid in a soap is different from a lotion or an ointment, which is why it is advisable to take your dermatologist’s advice on how and when to use it.

According to the National Library of Medicine, adults should follow a specific dosage of salicylic acid in various products. Below is the table providing a complete and simple overview of the proper dosage of salicylic acid:

Precautions You Should Follow Before Applying Salicylic Acid

Even though salicylic acid is considered to be one of the key ingredients for treating several skin problems, it should not be incorporated into your regular skincare routine in case of the following cases:

1.  Allergies

If you are allergic to salicylic acid or any other drug, you should refrain from using any product containing this ingredient. You can also go through a simple patch test before applying any salicylic-based product to your skin.

2. Pregnancy

Salicylic acid is often considered to be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, you should consult a doctor before incorporating it into your regular skincare routine

Side Effects of Using Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid or using the salicylic acid face wash for acne does not have many side effects, making it safe to use for every individual. However, people suffering from skin problems, such as infections, open wounds, and eczema, should reconsider using a salicylic-based product. You can experience the following side effects if you use any product containing the salicylic acid:

1. Excessive skin dryness
2. Hypoglycemia
3. Skin itching
4. Pigmentary dyschromias
5. Hives
6. Crusting
7. Contact Sensitization
8. Skin Redness
9. Salicylism

Apart from these, salicylic acid-based products can often cause the following skin problems:

1. Incorporating salicylic acid in your regular skincare routine does not protect your skin from the sun, resulting in excessive tanning. So, it is advisable to apply a sunscreen suitable for your skin type to protect yourself from extreme sun heat.
2. You might experience a little swelling after the application of salicylic acid-based products. However, go through a patch test in case you have sensitive skin or want to protect yourself from unwanted skin problems.

When Should You Stop Using Salicylic-based Products?

You can use any product of salicylic acid for acne-prone skin based on the dermatologist’s recommendation. But you need to reconsider using any product containing the same ingredient if you have a wound or preexisting redness on the skin.

On the other hand, if you are a pregnant women, you need to take advice from a certified dermatologist about using any salicylic acid-based product.

Salicylic acid is one of the key ingredients responsible for keeping your skin healthy and glowing, making it available in skincare products, such as gel, cream, sunscreen, face wash, soap, and other items. Nevertheless, it is advisable to go through a patch test before using the products. Remember, you can only get the solution to various skin-related problems when you have a clear idea about which salicylic-based product is good for your skin type, and how to use the same.