Salicylic Acid is effective for teenage, cystic, and adult acne. It is preferred for mature skin because it does not excessively dry skin that’s already showing signs of aging. BONUS: Salicylic kick starts collagen production and skin rejuvenation
INGREDIENT PROFILE: Salicylic Acid
Salicylic Acid is a bHA (beta hydroxy acid). BHAs work from the bottom of a pore up. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHAs) work from the top layer of the skin down.
Pairing a bHA such as Salicylic Acid with an aHA like Mandelic Acid is clinically proven to be highly successful in acne treatment. (1) Salicylic Acid is also proven effective as a chemical peel agent for various skin issues. (2)
What SALICYLIC ACID does
Salicylic Acid is a natural bHA from White Willow Bark.
Salicylic Acid purges clogged pores without excess drying the skin surface. Salicylic Acid does not cause the dryness or Benzoyl Peroxide or Retinol, but overtreatment can lead to irritation.
Salicylic Acid also helps build collagen to heal acne scars and improve skincare texture. Collagen production is a nice perk of acne treatment.
Salicylic acid works better when paired with another peeling agent. A combination of salicylic and mandelic acids was shown to be especially effective on moderate acne. (3).
Favorite Products Using Salicylic Acid
- Peter Thomas Roth Acne Clear Invisible Dots are tiny clear band-aid like dots embedded with Salicylic acid
- Neutralyze Exfoliating Pads combine Salicylic with Mandelic and Nitric Oxide to clean pores fast.
- Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel is highly effective on adult cystic acne when used as a pre-emptive or spot treatment.
- The Exposed Skincare line uses salicylic in two ways within their product range. Great for adult cystic acne.
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is a gentle but effective pre-emptive acne treatment
QUESTIONS?
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Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel contains Salicylic Acid
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References
- Garg VK, Sinha S, Sarkar R. Glycolic acid peels versus salicylic-mandelic acid peels in active acne vulgaris and post-acne scarring and hyperpigmentation: A comparative study. Dermatol Surg 2009;35:59-65.
- Kessler E, Flanagan K, Chia C, Rogers C, Glaser DA. Comparison of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid chemical peels in the treatment of mild to moderately severe facial acne vulgaris. Dermatol Surg 2008;34:45-50.
- Bari AU, Tolerance and safety of superficial chemical peeling with salicylic acid in various facial dermatoses. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2005 Mar-Apr;71(2):87-90.
Connie B. says
I never had acne until i was 28! Clinique acne solut±ons saved me
Style Chicks says
Isn’t the Clinique Acne Solutions line great, Connie?
We will be covering the Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel with Salicylic soon on the blog. I found it so helpful for stopping the kind of cystic acne that always leaves a mark.
Tina Agriugo says
Didn’t know Salicylic made collagen!
Style Chicks says
Yes! Isn’t that wonderful? Thanks for the comment, Tina!
Nessa Pratt says
What about a combo of salicylic and glycolic instead of mandelic acid?
Style Chicks says
Good question, Nessa!
We LOVE glycolic for many skincare needs. Some factors to consider:
Mandelic and salicylic go well together because, in combination, they clear out the entire pore. Glycolic doesn’t penetrate the skin as deeply as mandelic does, so it doesn’t purge the pore quite as effectively.
Mandelic is gentler than Glycolic, with less irritation and redness. Low levels of Mandelic can be used almost daily on even sensitive skin.
Mandelic has several other skin-friendly advantages, especially for getting rid of small mesh-like wrinkles. Take a look at some mandelic benefits here: http://www.stylechicks.com/2019/07/01/science-of-beauty-why-use-mandelic-acid-for-acne-to-anti-aging/
If you have a Glycolic you love, it can still assist by fading old acne scars, as does Vitamin C serum.
Hope that helps and thanks for the awesome question, Nessa! Our readers like you have such great ideas and insights!