Have you tried this Godsend miracle component best for acne-prone skin1? If not, then do not fret; this article has got you covered.
Facial cleansers to the rescue. In the journey of skincare routine2, a cleanser plays a vital role. Choosing a cleanser that suits your skin texture and skin type should be of prime importance, especially if you are dealing with acne. Acne, blemishes, and hyper-pigmentation3 need targeted products that help to keep acne at bay. So before you buy the brand new cleanser out in the market, you may want to check the ingredients list.
Those who deal with acne or have acne-prone skin should consider investing in a good quality acid-based cleanser. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid cleansers are tested for those struggling with acne. The glycolic acid cleanser4 is best for people who deal with little to no acne every day. If your skin type is more prone to acne and you’re looking for prevention, then a salicylic acid-based cleanser is your best bet. Salicylic acid5 is more effective than glycolic acid for that stubborn acne and blemishes that won’t budge.
Let’s take a deep dive into this magic skincare ingredient.
What Is Salicylic Acid?
First, let us know what is salicylic acid and why it is used in cleansers?
Derived from willow bark, salicylic acid falls into the category of salicylates. According to Randy Schueller (a cosmetic chemist), Salicylic acid falls in the category of Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA).
What are BHAs, you ask?
Beta Hydroxy Acid are exfoliants that penetrate deep into the skin’s pores and remove dead skin cells, excess sebum, unclog pores, and other gunk from the skin, making it smoother and softer. It is also an active ingredient in spot treatments as an overnight solution in calming the redness and reducing the size of the zit.
What are Salicylic Acid Cleansers?
Cleansers enriched with salicylic acid have all the benefits mentioned above of salicylic acid. Making it the best product for acne-prone skin. Salicylic acid cleanser reduces the frequency of acne breakouts and improves skin texture. A Salicylic acid cleanser is particularly good at removing dead skin cells and clearing out uneven skin tone. Including a salicylic acid cleanser in your skincare routine will keep your acne breakouts at bay.
The salicylic acid cleanser is an excellent chemical exfoliant that removes dead skin cells and excess oil and soothes redness on the skin’s surface. This acid-based cleanser is especially beneficial for oily skin people as they are oil-soluble, which helps them to go deep into the skin. BHAs also have good anti-inflammatory properties as salicylic acid is one of the best and most used forms of BHA’s; it is used in facial cleansers and other skincare products targeted at sensitive skin.
A Salicylic acid cleanser is also known to calm down acne breakouts. It not only helps in bad breakouts but also removes post-acne marks. Apart from this, salicylic acid cleanser plays an active part in reducing blackheads and whiteheads. The acid-based cleanser helps break down the clogged pores that lead to blackheads and whiteheads from its root, making the skin less prone to acnes’ attack.
Who Can Use Salicylic Acid Cleanser?
A salicylic acid cleanser is best suited for oily acne-prone to combination skin types. It can also soothe the redness of the skin while unclogging pores and promotes oil control. If you have sensitive skin and want to give the salicylic acid cleanser a shot, do a patch test before using it. People with sensitive skin must do a patch test before introducing any skincare product into their routine.
Using a Salicylic acid cleanser daily is beneficial for people dealing with acne. Suppose the concentration level of it is between 0.5 – 3%. Using higher salicylic acid cleanser daily can lead to skin irritation, inflammation, and dry skin. Do check the product description before using the cleanser and stick to its instructions to avoid any adverse side effects from the product.
Pros and Cons of Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Like every other skincare product, the salicylic acid cleanser does have some advantages and disadvantages, depending on how you are using it. Listed below are a few Pros and cons of using a Salicylic acid cleanser.
Pros:
- It helps in penetrating deep into the skin’s surface, thus acting as an excellent exfoliating agent.
- Effective against stubborn whiteheads and reduces blackheads.
- Good for sensitive skin types to deal with reducing hormonal acne.
- Removes hyperpigmentation and clogged pores revealing smoother-looking skin.
- It can be used for oily acne-prone skin to oily skin types.
- It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and removes dead skin cells.
- Salicylic acid cleanser in the form of a foaming cleanser is best suited for oily skin people. Whereas a non-lathering form of cleanser is best for dry skin people.
Can be used twice daily if the concentration percentage is less and falls within the normal range.
Salicylic acid cleanser reduces the appearance of pores over a period of time.
Cons:
- Can cause extreme dryness and irritation on the skin’s surface.
- Mild tingling sensation and or stinging, which leads to skin peeling.
- The salicylic acid cleanser is not recommended for dry skin types as they have less sebum production.
Be careful using salicylic acid in higher concentrations as it may lead to skin burns and inflammation.
- Research has found that those who have an allergic reaction to aspirin are prone to allergic to salicylic acid as they have similar chemical structures.
- Due to its instant effect on reducing acne, it can sometimes cause too much skin drying.
- It is not recommended for lactating mothers and pregnant women.
As you may have noticed, the disadvantages of using salicylic acid majorly focus on how to use it, which is the case for most skincare products. The pros outweigh the cons any day. You need to know how to use a particular skincare product to work for you in the best possible way. Below are some of the ways to use salicylic acid cleanser.
How To Use Salicylic Acid Cleanser?
Incorporating salicylic acid cleanser into a daily skincare routine is advisable, provided your skin has adapted well to it. Below are some ways to effectively use salicylic acid cleanser to give you the best skincare results.
- Know your skin type
The first step in knowing how to use a salicylic acid cleanser is to know whether it is suitable for your skin type or not. Generally, a salicylic acid cleanser is great for people with normal skin, oily acne-prone skin to combination skin types. Dry-skin people should stay away from salicylic acid due to its drying nature.
If you need more information and clarity before taking the plunge and investing in a salicylic acid cleanser, then consulting a board-certified dermatologist would be helpful.
- Start small
Using a salicylic acid cleanser once a day is good if you are introducing salicylic acid into your routine. Slowly move on to using it twice a day if no adverse effects have been noticed.
- Start with moderation
Suppose you are using a salicylic acid-based cleanser for the first time. Check out if it aggravates the skin, like inflamed skin, rashes, or acne. Discontinue using it if found so.
- Use the right amount
Using salicylic acid cleansers in the right concentration is necessary to control mild acne and prevent future acne breakouts.
- The 60-second rule
Rinse using a salicylic acid cleanser for at least 60 sec to get the best result while using a salicylic acid face wash.
- Post wash care
After rinsing thoroughly, make sure you pat dry the skin and not rub the skin, which may lead to over-exfoliating the skin.
- Hydration Time
Proceed with a gentle hydrating toner and moisturizer to prevent dryness of the skin. Going in with hydrating products can bring the essential moisture back into the skin without stripping and balancing the skin’s Ph level.
- Do not mix
Mixing salicylic acid with other acids like glycolic acid or potent retinol can cause increased inflammation and redness of the skin.
Following these steps will help you gain the benefits of using a salicylic acid cleanser and being on the safer side of your skincare regime.
Top 5 Beginner-Friendly Salicylic Acid Cleansers
Want to know which of the most loved and appreciated salicylic acid cleansers are good at their job? Then listed below are the 5 best salicylic acid cleansers that are super good beginner-friendly.
1. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
This cleanser’s gentle exfoliating the the non-stripping formula is perfect for normal skin types. Infused with essential ceramides that build the skin barrier protecting it from outside irritants, this cleanser is a good beginner-friendly choice.
Along with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this facial cleanser retains moisture necessary for hydration, revealing a softer-looking glowing skin. The best part about this cleanser is that it is fragrance-free, thus making it perfect for sensitive skin people. Being a mild exfoliating cleanser(without any microbeads), this product is good for everyday use.
2. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne wash
This salicylic acid cleanser is targeted at oily acne-prone skin. The oil-free formula helps in keeping oil at bay and reduces acne breakouts and clogged pores. With a 2% concentration of salicylic acid, this is perfect for the fight against acne.
The salicylic acid deep cleans the skin and prevents acne. The micro clear technology helps in eliminating blackheads and whiteheads, which lead to acne formation. It is also a pocket-friendly option.
3. The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser.
This foaming cleanser is non-drying and is perfect for all skin types. It also efficiently removes all traces of makeup. It is an excellent product for removing blackheads and cleaning pores while penetrating deep into the skin. This 2% salicylic acid cleanser can be used twice a day with zinc compound. This also reduces pigmentation and clears the skin into an even tone complexion.
4. Innisfree Bija Trouble Facial Foam
You must try this fantastic Korean foaming facewash for all the acne-prone skin girls. Made with Bija oil extracts and willow bark extract (the primary source of salicylic acid), this cleanser has a non-drying formula that gently cleanses the skin. It gets rid of sebum, controls excess sebum, and thoroughly cleans the pores. It has a non-comedogenic formula and is suitable for all skin types.
5. La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser
This medicated gel cleanser is a gel cleanser that aims to cleanse the skin, stop breakouts and give a smooth skin finish. The cleanser consists of Lipo-hydroxy acid, a derivative of salicylic acid which exfoliates and renews the skin. This acne face wash helps in reducing the size of the pores. Glycerin in it acts as a humectant that further hydrates the skin. This face wash is specially made for active acne, blackheads, and uneven skin texture. It is a gentle cleanser best suited for sensitive skin.
Before purchasing any of the above-recommended products, check with a dermatologist to know whether the particular product will be beneficial for your skin type.
There you go,
That is all there is to know about everything on salicylic acid cleansers.
Salicylic acid is a powerful ingredient and can work wonders if used properly. Using salicylic acid daily is recommended, provided it suits your skin and can have a huge impact on your skincare journey. Besides a cleanser, there are other ways that salicylic acid can be introduced into your skincare regime. Toners, spot treatments, and moisturizers that contain salicylic acid are some of the best ways to include salicylic acid in your regime. To know more about how to layer different skincare products, check out this post.
- Sommatis, Sabrina, et al. “Biophysical and Biological Tools to Better Characterize the Stability, Safety and Efficacy of a Cosmeceutical for Acne-Prone Skin.” Molecules 27.4 (2022): 1255. ↩︎
- Zhang, Lixia, et al. “The impact of routine skin care on the quality of life.” Cosmetics 7.3 (2020): 59. ↩︎
- Farid, Huma, et al. “Journey from black to pink gums: management of melanin induced physiological gingival hyper pigmentation.” J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 29.1 (2017): 132. ↩︎
- Murad, Howard, Ava T. Shamban, and Paul Scott Premo. “The use of glycolic acid as a peeling agent.” Dermatologic clinics 13.2 (1995): 285-307. ↩︎
- Hayat, Shamsul, Aqil Ahmad, and Mohammed Nasser Alyemeni. “Salicylic acid.” Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing (2013). ↩︎
Last Updated on by NamitaSoren