What is salicylic acid in skin care?

When it comes to your skincare ritual, it is so important that you are using the right products for your skin type. However, finding the right skincare products can be an overwhelming and confusing task when there are so many different formulas on the market with lists of complex sounding ingredients.

You may have seen the ingredient Salicylic Acid listed on facial cleansers, exfoliators or even acne spot treatments when you have been at the local supermarkets or scrolling through skincare products online. With a word like ‘acid’ in its name, it may have thrown you off. But this ingredient is a powerhouse when it comes to oil regulation and breakout prevention.

If you struggle with excess oil or acne, such an ingredient just might be worth looking into!

What is Salicylic Acid?

In your skincare journey, you may have come across the terms Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs). BHAs are more oil-soluble whereas AHAs are generally more water-soluble. Salicylic Acid is a BHA and because it is more oil-soluble, it is able to penetrate through the lipid layers between skin cells and get deep inside the pores to unclog them which is what makes it the ideal ingredient for clearing away whiteheads and blackheads, treating acne and keeping oil at bay.

Salicylic Acid is also helps to remove dead skin cells, stimulate cell turnover and acts as an anti-inflammatory for red and inflamed pimples.

How to use Salicylic Acid in skincare

Salicylic Acid is readily available in a lot of skincare products from cleansers and exfoliators to spot treatments and facial wipes. You can easily use Salicylic Acid products at home in your regular skincare routine.

Salicylic Acid for acne

Some of the best Salicylic Acid products for acne are targeted spot treatments specifically designed to battle blemishes.

Sukin Blemish Control Spot Banishing Gel uses a blend of Salicylic Acid, Quince and Willowherb to soothe and reduce acne, prevent shine and combat blemish-causing bacteria.

Nip + Fab Salicylic Fix Spot Blemish Lotion is another great option as it minimises blemishes as you sleep with a combination of Salicylic Acid, anti-inflammatory Willow Bark Extract and a calming clay blend.

Salicylic Acid for blackheads

The best Salicylic Acid products for blackheads are any products that clear away pore-clogging debris and decongest the skin.

Creightons Salicylic Acid Intense Serum 2% helps reduce reduce the appearance of blackheads, blemishes and pores for a clearer, more radiant complexion.

Salicylic Acid for exfoliation

Salicylic Acid is known for its prime exfoliating capabilities. There are a number of exfoliators on the market that contain Salicylic Acid in their formulas. The best Salicylic Acid exfoliator for you will depends on which skin concerns you would like to treat.

Formula 10.0.6 Clear The Way Pore Clearing Face Scrub is a good go-to exfoliator as it combines exfoliating Salicylic Acid and green coffee grounds with Hemp Seed Oil to keep your skin moisturised.

Nip + Fab Illuminate Vitamin C Scrub Fix unites exfoliating Salicylic Acid with energising Coffee Seed Extract and illuminating Vitamin C to renew the complexion.

For those looking for stronger exfoliation, Nip + Fab Exfoliate Glycolic Scrub Fix Extreme 6% combines Salicylic Acid with Glycolic Acid for a great exfoliating and resurfacing effect.

Salicylic Acid for oily skin

Salicylic Acid is great at reducing excess sebum which makes it a highly beneficial ingredient for oily skin types.

Good Salicylic Acid products for oily skin include Nip + Fab Purify Salicylic Fix Serum Extreme 2%, which also controls oil with the help of Purple Ginseng Extract and Nip + Fab Purify Salicylic Fix Concentrate Extreme 2%, which combines Salicylic Acid with oil-controlling Lotus Flower Extract.

Salicylic Acid for sensitive skin

When shopping for the best Salicylic Acid products for sensitive skin, it is important to remember that Salicylic Acid can irritate and dry out the skin with overuse, so you should look for a product that also contains hydrating and soothing ingredients and only use the product as intended.

Nip + Fab Purify Salicylic Fix Facial Scrub promotes a soft and radiant complexion with an effective exfoliating action and an infusion of Lotus Flower and Vitamin E that prevents the skin from being stripped of its natural oils.

Click here to discover more of our Salicylic Acid skincare products.

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