Like other acids found in skincare (glycolic, lactic) salicylic is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) and can cause sensitivity . If you haven't used products that contain the ingredient before or your skin tends to react to new products, it's always a good idea to start slow—many of the products on this list are meant to be used only once or twice per week. You can also look for moisturizing ingredients paired with salicylic acid to help prevent irritation and dryness. Norsworthy J, Bhatti Z, George T. Topical Salicylic Acid Hypersensitivity. Am J Ther. 2018 Sep/Oct;25(5):e568-e569. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000646. PMID: 29324467. Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates dead skin cells on the skin's surface and decreases oil and sebum, says board-certified dermatologist Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD, FAAD, owner of Vibrant Dermatology and SkinBar MD. In addition to being an exfoliant, it also works as a comedolytic and anti-inflammatory ingredient.

Fabbrocini G, De Vita V, Marasca C, Palmisano F, Monfrecola G. Salicylic acid for the treatment of melasma: new acquisitions for monitoring the clinical improvement. Skin Res Technol. 2013;19(4):466-73. doi:10.1111/srt.12070 There is a vast number of different exfoliators that can work on any type of skin. The following section help identify which products suit your skin type. Sensitive or dry skin types are often not able to tolerate salicylic acid ingredients due to enhanced irritation or dehydration of the skin," says Dr. Carqueville. "Make sure to apply moisturizer to the skin after using these products so that the skin doesn't become overly dry or irritated." Clean Ingredients For those of you who are left a little puzzled about what salicylic acid is and how it benefits the skin, this next part is for you, if are already glued up on all thing’s skincare, you can skip to the next part. Another important note: Every exfoliant should include some kind of emollient (a moisturizing agent, for example shea butter) and a humectant (an ingredient that seals the moisture in, such as coconut oil). As a bonus, the best body scrub for you should not only make your skin silky smooth, but create a luxurious shower environment too. Because who couldn’t use a few extra minutes of self-care? When to avoid body scrubsIf you’re just starting out with exfoliants, using them once or twice per week is the sweet spot for sloughing away dead skin without making skin angry. Dr. Elbuluk notes that exfoliants as a whole should be avoided if your skin is irritated or inflamed, or if there’s an open cut. If you are wanting to continue using your salicylic acid product as well as a physical exfoliant, such as a scrub. To benefit from these products, I would suggest alternating when you use each product. For example, using an face wash containing salicylic acid during your morning routine, followed by a physical scrub in during your evening routine. Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser and exfoliator? It’s commonly found in cleansers and spot treatment products but can also be found in acne-friendly make-up products and anti-dandruff shampoo. As a seasoned health writer, Alena Hall understands how important it is to know exactly what you’re getting in a wellness product. Over the years, she has reviewed dozens of products, from athletic recovery aids to homeopathic essential oils to ever-trendy CBD topicals, to help readers like you discover products that can help you live your best life. Up your SPF levels immediately after waxing, since recently stripped skin is especially vulnerable to sunburn. Slather on at least SPF 50 before hitting the beach—we love Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 and L'Oréal Paris Sublime Sun Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil SPF 50+. 10. Repeat

Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Safety of Skin Care Products During Pregnancy. Canadian Family Physician. 2011;57(6):665. Published June 2011. Retinoids and waxing are both forms of exfoliation. For regular retinol users— who generally have fewer dead skin cells on their skin — lip, eyebrow, or any facial waxing can strip away part of the epidermis, resulting in abrasion. Hold off on waxing in your first few weeks of using retinols. Retinoids "can contribute to increased skin fragility," says dermatologist Craig Kraffert, who stresses that if you do expose skin to both retinoids and waxing, use caution — though he advises patients to stop prescription retinoid treatments for one week before waxing. Wu also asks her patients to avoid retinoids until redness has subsided. 4. Exfoliate Gently the Night Before Moghimipour E. Hydroxy Acids, The Most Widely Used Anti-aging Agents. Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products. 2012;7(1):9. Published January 2012. No, not really, this is because the way salicylic acid works is as an exfoliant itself. As I have mentioned already, it is an ingredient that is readily found in all manner of skincare products, from face wash to serums. This results in the acid being used during your skincare routine daily providing regular exfoliation. If you find yourself using a product enriched in salicylic acid, as well as another exfoliating product, you could cause the skin to erupt into severe irritation and reaction. You will also find that salicylic acid has a small molecular size that is oil soluble, this results in the acid having the ability to penetrate the lower layers of the skin. When reaching the pores, salicylic acid can provide deep exfoliation working in areas of the skin face scrubs are unable to reach. What kind of exfoliator should I use?

Follow cleansing by gently applying a Salicylic Acid toner. The NIVEA Derma Skin Toner is a fantastic option as it will rebalance the skin’s pH level and remove any excess oil, make-up or dirt without further clogging the pores. This will also prepare your skin for moisturisation.

Combat waxing-induced redness by holding a paper towel soaked in a mixture of half skim milk and half cold water on skin for ten minutes and repeating every few hours. The milk's lactic acid helps calm skin. You can also treat the area with a moisturizing salve (try Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment), a natural gentle gel (like one of pure aloe vera), or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. 8. Fend Off Ingrowns Zasada M, Budzisz E. Retinoids: Active Molecules Influencing Skin Structure Formation in Cosmetic and Dermatological Treatments. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii. 2019;36(4):392. Published August 2019. doi: 10.5114/ada.2019.87443. Salicylic acid is one of the most recognised skin ingredients, with many expressing their admiration for how it can effectively provide clarity, particularly for those prone to acne and frequent flare-ups in breakouts. Maghfour J, Ly S, Haidari W, Taylor SL, Feldman SR. Treatment of keratosis pilaris and its variants: a systematic review. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(3):1231-1242. doi:10.1080/09546634.2020.1818678No, avoid using a salicylic acid cleanser and exfoliator as this can cause extreme irritation and dryness. As I have already said, if you are wanting to use both in your skincare routine the most effective way to do so is to alternate when you use each product.

Salicylic acid works by reducing oil and sebum on the skin. It also helps to exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, which also contributes to the clogging of pores and dullness of the skin," says Jordan C. Carqueville, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist. "One of the key features to look for in the face wash is the strength of the active ingredient — in this case, salicylic acid. The most common strength percentage in face washes will be 2%." When choosing a product, Del Campo recommends matching the specific products to your skin type and looking at the concentration and additional ingredients. For example, if you have sensitive skin and want to use a salicylic acid cleanser, aloe vera can help. And if you have more oily, acne-prone skin, she says a combination of salicylic acid and an alpha hydroxy acid (like lactic acid) can help. Due to the excess amount of sebum that sits on the skin surface, oily skins are prone to flare-up in blemishes and can be prone to acne. This requires them to have deep exfoliation, which can be performed with either a physical exfoliant, such as a physical face scrub or cleansing device, or chemical exfoliant such as salicylic acid.González-Molina V, Martí-Pineda A, González N. Topical treatments for melasma and their mechanism of action. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(5):19-28. An anti-inflammatory effect can help skin to look less red and inflamed,’ she continues. ‘The general exfoliating effect will help the skin look brighter and smoother and allow other skincare products to penetrate the skin more effectively.’ Salicylic acid as an exfoliant