Guide to Salicylic Acid
Clarity and radiance are hallmarks of a healthy and balanced complexion – but maintaining an even skin tone and texture is not always easy. Fortunately, certain ingredients can help to return skin back to a balanced state – such salicylic acid skincare. So, what is salicylic acid and how can you take advantage of its benefits to reveal your dream complexion? Read on to discover everything you need to know about salicylic acid in skincare.
What is salicylic acid?
Benefits of salicylic acid
Salicylic acid benefits skin by helping to purify pores, regulate oil production and improve texture. A multi-purpose ingredient, salicylic acid skincare is especially helpful for those with mild acne prone skin concerns but can also help to achieve radiance for a range of skin types.
Deep clean pores
Makeup residue, oil build up, dead skin cells and exposure to pollution can all lead to clogged pores. By reaching deep into pores to unclog, clear and purify, salicylic acid for skin can support a clearer, brighter complexion.
Reduce oil production
In terms of what does salicylic acid do, its oil soluble nature means it can support complexions prone to breakouts and blemishes by helping to regulate oil production.
Remove dead skin cells
As a chemical exfoliant salicylic acid benefits a smoother skin surface, by clearing away dead skin cells on the surface of complexions – a common cause of texture concerns.
How to start using products with salicylic acid?
In terms of how to use salicylic acid on the face, your skin type will benefit most from using products specially formulated for you:
- Rebalance oily skin with Clarifique Watery Emulsion
- Target mild acne prone skin with Clarifique Spot Eraser
- Illuminate dry or sensitive skin with Clarifique Milky Day Cream
- Support mature or combination skin with Clarifique Cleansing Foam
What skin types benefit most from salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid’s benefits come from its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to support oil control. When used correctly, salicylic acid-enriched formulas are typically suited to most skin types – but they’re especially ideal for oily and mild acne prone complexions.
Oily skin
Oily skin is defined by an overproduction of sebum, which comes to the skin surface through the pores and results in a shiny appearance. Salicylic acid skincare can support oily skin by deeply cleansing pores to help regulate sebum production and uncover bright, smooth skin.
Mild acne-prone skin
While excess sebum can lead to pimples, blackheads occur when sebum interacts with dead skin cells. Salicylic acid benefits mild acne prone skin as it can reach deep into the pores to cleanse the dirt and debris that are the cause of blemishes.
How do you add salicylic acid into your skincare routine?
To get the most out of salicylic acid skincare, you can build this hero ingredient into morning or evening skincare routines. When applied before sleep, salicylic acid has the time to do its work through the long hours of rest, so you wake up to refined and radiant skin. In the morning, salicylic acid can help to maintain a brightened complexion.
Explore our salicylic acid range
Ready to reap the complexion enhancing benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Discover Lancôme’s range of high-performance salicylic acid skincare.
Clarifique Milky Day Cream
DAY CREAM - BRIGHTENING, PLUMPING - VITAMIN C
Salicylic acid tips & guides
Learn how to improve complexions with our tips and guides on salicylic acid skincare below.
Salicylic acid FAQ
Still have questions left unanswered? We’ve answered the most frequently asked salicylic acid skincare questions below