7 Salicylic Acid Benefits for Your Skin
A single ingredient to promote purified, radiant and smooth skin sounds too good to be true, and yet salicylic acid skincare might be just that. The clarifying effects of salicylic acid on skin have made it a primary ingredient in a host of skincare products including cleansers, scrubs, serums, and spot solutions. From blemish-prone skin to anti-ageing concerns, there are a myriad of salicylic acid benefits for your complexion. If you’re warring with clogged pores, excess oil, dullness, and irregular skin texture, read on to discover the seven benefits of using salicylic acid on your face.
What is salicylic acid?
Derived from the bark of willow trees1, salicylic acid is a type of chemical exfoliant known as a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA). Salicylic acid is touted for its skin-smoothing and balancing properties, and part of the reason why it is so effective at targeting a wealth of skin concerns is because of its composition: it is oil soluble. This means that it can penetrate epidermal lipids (the oils on the outermost layer of the skin)2 to reach deep into pores to clear away debris and excess oils. Left unchecked, natural skin oils can build up and lead to breakouts, dull skin and a shiny complexion. So, how exactly does salicylic acid benefit your skin? Let’s find out.
The benefits of using salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can support an array of skin concerns through its exfoliating properties. For a range of skin types, implementing a well-balanced salicylic acid product into your routine can be valuable in attaining dreamy skin. Since salicylic acid is able to reach beyond the skin surface, there are a number of benefits of using salicylic acid on your face:
- Tackles dead skin cell buildup
- Deeply unclogs pores
- Controls excess oil
- Refines skin texture
- Brightens skin tone
- Calms redness associated with blemishes
- May help diminish visible signs of ageing
Ahead, we’ll explore these salicylic acid benefits in depth.
1. Exfoliates dead skin cells
Healthy skin cell turnover is a key factor in achieving a clear, glowing complexion.
2. Unclogs pores and targets blemishes
Although they tend to be most common in oily skin types, most of us have experienced clogged pores at some point in our lives. A blocked pore forms when excess oil combines with dead skin cells, makeup residue, dirt and other debris, creating a ‘plug’, which can eventually lead to breakouts. If the pore is open at the skin’s surface, it is exposed to oxygen which causes its head to turn black – hence, blackheads. If the pore is closed, this is what we know to be a whitehead.
Salicylic acid benefits for skin include helping to reduce whiteheads and blackheads by sloughing away dead skin cells and encouraging healthy skin cell turnover. Regular use of salicylic acid to unclog pores can help purify blemish-prone skin and minimise the recurrence of breakouts. A salicylic acid infused spot treatment can also support the skin, so we suggest trying the Clarifique Spot Eraser. Enriched with a powerful combination of salicylic acid, ellagic acid, and vitamin C, this formula can target dark spots and pigmentation and promote skin cell turnover.
3. Regulates oil production
If you have overactive sebaceous glands, your skin produces excess sebum (oil) which can lead to clogged pores and even more oil production. The key to managing oily skin is finding products that reduce sebum without robbing the skin of essential moisture. Salicylic acid has become one of the go-to ingredients to treat oily skin because it effectively clears excess oils from pores without over-drying the skin. We suggest incorporating Clarifique Cleansing Foam into your skincare routine as your sole cleanser or alternating with your usual cleanser every other day. This salicylic acid cleanser benefits the skin by micro-exfoliating pores while being gentle enough for daily use. However, if you are introducing a BHA to your skin for the first time, we suggest you start with gradual use and monitor your skin for signs of sensitivity.
4. Refines texture
A buildup of dead skin cells can contribute to uneven skin texture, so if your complexion is rough to the touch, it might be time to implement salicylic acid skincare into your routine. This is where dry skin types may also find it beneficial to incorporate salicylic acid into their skincare routine. You can start by using a well-balanced salicylic acid product in moderation to clear away dead cells and rough patches, resulting in smoother, softer skin. Nurture plump skin further with the Clarifique Milky Day Cream in the morning and evening.
5. Brightens and evens skin tone
For those wondering, ‘why does my skin look dull?’, the culprit might be a buildup of dead skin cells on the skin’s surface. Dullness can affect every skin type, and you might notice that your skin tone is uneven and your complexion doesn’t reflect light as easily. Salicylic acid benefits dull skin by promoting the natural shedding process to reveal brighter skin and a more uniform complexion. Dullness is a common byproduct of dry skin, so if your skin is on the dry side, you might find a salicylic acid face wash beneficial once or twice per week to dissolve those dead skin cells. Ensure you also keep the skin well-hydrated with a nourishing daily moisturiser like Absolue Rich Cream.
6. Has anti-inflammatory properties
One of the lesser-known benefits of salicylic acid on the face is its anti-inflammatory properties.3 Brittany Hanchard shares her advice for what this means for mild acne-prone skin:
“When you’re dealing with blemish-prone skin, you’re also experiencing redness and swelling as part of your breakouts. Along with its pore-refining, clarifying effects on the skin, salicylic acid can help counteract these signs of inflammation by calming the red, swollen appearance of blemishes.”
This is just one of the many reasons why salicylic acid is so useful for managing breakouts.
7. Addresses visible signs of ageing
As we age, the skin’s texture naturally changes as fine lines appear and we lose essential moisture. Discolouration like age spots and sun spots are also common after decades of sun exposure. We know that salicylic acid supports refined texture and radiant skin, and it has a similar effect on ageing and mature skin. One of the major salicylic acid benefits for mature skin is its ability to aid the skin cell renewal process and encourage collagen production.4 This helps usher softer, brighter, younger-looking skin to the surface, thereby diminishing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and discolouration.
How to use salicylic acid for your skin type
The frequency with which to use salicylic acid products in your skincare routine differs depending on skin type. To get the most out of salicylic acid skincare, correct usage for your skin type is essential.
Skin type:
- Oily skin may benefit from daily use of gentle salicylic acid skincare to support sebum regulation and purify the pores.
- Dry skin types can be more sensitive to BHAs, so begin by implementing a mild salicylic acid product weekly and build up frequency as required.
- Combination skin tends to involve an oily t-zone and dryness elsewhere, so use a salicylic acid spot treatment where needed.
We hope you enjoyed our guide on salicylic acid benefits for your skin. Up next, discover how hyaluronic acid works – another hero ingredient in skincare.
1https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/salicylic-acid
2https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4554394/
3https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405580823001590
4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20883290/
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Clarifique Milky Day Cream
DAY CREAM - BRIGHTENING, PLUMPING - VITAMIN C
Clarifique Spot Eraser
SPOT CORRECTOR - BRIGHTENING, DISCOLORATION - VITAMIN C
Absolue L’Extrait Ultimate Concentrated-Elixir
FACE SERUM - REGENERATING, ANTI-WRINKLE - ELIXIR-CONCENTRATE
