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Salicylic Acid for Breakouts

Salicylic acid can be found in many over-the-counter beauty products these days. You will normally find salicylic acid in products for breakouts because it is an effective hydroxy acid for acne and has the ability to reduce the spots and bumps on the skin.

Salicylic Acid is found in Willow Bark and it is a Beta Hydroxy Acid(BHA). It works differently to popular glycolic acid which is an alpha hydroxy acid, by continually shedding the dead skin cell build up layer by layer, thinning the surface of the skin.

Salicylic Acid is antibacterial and even though salicylic acid seems to be more powerful than glycolic acid it actually has anti-inflammatory action on the skin as well, making this a perfect ingredient of choice when you are prone to breakouts.

Salicylic acid is oil soluble, this is great because it can actually penetrate the pores and remove the debris in them that causes breakouts. Glycolic acid on the other hand is water-soluble and not as effective for acne, but great for other skin types, which I won’t discuss here.

Any product containing salicylic acid at a concentration of 2% plus will be exfoliating to the skin, anything below this will be antibacterial.

If you are pregnant or breast feeding it is best not to use any product with this ingredient in and using any hydroxy acid product will make your skin become more sensitive to sunlight, this means make sure you wear your sunscreen everyday and reapply when out in the day light.

If you are taking any medically prescribed acne products or are allergic to aspirin, you should not use salicylic acid or any other exfoliating products and I would advise to consult your doctor before starting to implement this ingredient into your skin care routine.

If you have sensitive skin, salicylic acid may irritate it and if you experience any burning or irritation discontinue use, additional information and warnings can be found on the individual skin care products containing salicylic acid.

Salicylic Acid and Dermalogica

Dermalogica has always used a variety of different exfoliation ingredients in their skin care line and it is of no surprise to find that they use salicylic acid in their main acne range dermalogica medibac.

Below you will find the dermalogica skin care products that contain salicylic acid, I have tried to list as many of them as possible off the top of my head, I hope I have not missed any out, but it’s interesting to see the percentages and you can work out how effective the product is going to be at exfoliating the pores with salicylic acid or if it’s used just for it’s antibacterial benefits.

Please bear in mind that some of the below products have different hydroxy acids in them such as lactic acid or papain, to work in different ways on the skin and I have not listed all of the ingredients here only the Salicylic Acid content.

Dermalogica Skin Care Products that Use Salicylic Acid

• Clearing Mattifier – 2% Salicylic Acid acne (exfoliates the pores)
• Skin Purifying Wipes – 0.5% Salicylic Acid that helps clear congested pores
• Clearing Skin Wash – 0.5% Salicylic Acid (antibacterial) plus Lactic Acid to get a deep cleanse, great for clearing congestion
• Overnight Clearing Gel – 2% Salicylic Acid (exfoliates the pores)
• Oil Control Lotion – 1% Salicylic Acid (antibacterial)
• Sebum Clearing Masque – sorry not sure of the percentage! Of salicylic acid acne, but a great masque to use for acne
• Concealing Spot Treatment – 0.4% Salicylic Acid (check out the other ingredients in this, it is great)
• Skin Renewal Booster – 2% Salicylic Acid
• Gentle Cream Exfoliant – 5% Salicylic Acid
• Daily Microfoliant – 0.3% Salicylic Acid
• Daily Resurfacer –  2% Salicylic Acid
• Multivitamin Thermafoliant – 1% Salicylic Acid

What Do You Think to Salicylic Acid? Do You Think it Helps Acne? Tell Me What You Think By Commenting Below – Don’t Be Shy!!!!

Related posts:

1. Four Causes of Acne