Acne Awareness month is wrapping up, and we wanted to take a deeper dive into an ingredient that’s well-known for its ability to keep pores clear and help manage acne. That ingredient is...(drum roll, please!) salicylic acid. Ready to learn more?
What is salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid is what’s known as a “beta hydroxy acid.” Originally, it was extracted from the bark of the willow tree. A little skincare history for you: willow bark extract has been used throughout history as a natural anti-inflammatory, including by Native American people who recognized its healing properties.
These days, salicylic acid is made in cosmetic chemistry labs and widely used in skincare formulas. It’s ideal for treating skin conditions like acne, clogged pores, keratosis pilaris (i.e. rough or bumpy “strawberry skin”) and even psoriasis. What makes salicylic acid ideal for unclogging pores and treating acne is its ability to exfoliate. It loosens the bonds holding dead skin cells together, allowing those cells to slough off more easily. And as we know, shedding dead skin cells is key to keeping pores clear and managing acne.
Salicylic acid also has another important quality that makes it a pore-unclogging superstar. As a beta-hydroxy acid, salicylic acid is “lipid soluble.” Translation: it can penetrate into the pore lining, dissolve the oil that’s clogging your pores, and help reduce the appearance of breakouts, blemishes and blackheads. Alpha-hydroxy acids (like glycolic or lactic acid), on the other hand, are “water soluble” and primarily exfoliate your skin’s surface. They help smooth out skin texture, improve skin tone and improve signs of sun damage—but they’re not as effective at unclogging pores or preventing acne.
Salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, making it an ideal choice for anyone who’s struggling with acne.
What skincare products have salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid is found in many different skincare products, from cleansers to toners to moisturizers to acne spot treatments. At DERMFLASH, we use salicylic acid in our PREFLASH® Cleanser, to help fully remove surface oil and prep you skin for a perfect shave with LUXE+ Sonic Dermaplaning.
Our Botanical Ketoacid Toner also includes encapsulated salicylic acid. What does the “encapsulated” part mean, you ask? Basically, the salicylic acid molecules are encased in tiny beads or “capsules” that allow the ingredient to be released over time, instead of all at once. This will minimize any potential irritation or dryness that can sometimes occur with salicylic acid. Botanical Ketoacid Toner also includes two gentle alpha-hydroxy acids (lactic acid and malic acid), plus botanical ketoacids from the hibiscus flower. The sensitive-skin safe formula gives your skin the best of both worlds—helping to minimize pores, exfoliate, brighten and smooth your skin texture.
