I've talked about Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) in my previous exfoliation post but in this post, I'll be talking about a different type of acid called salicylic acid which belongs to the family of Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA's)!
Beta hydroxy acids happen to be more oil soluble than alpha hydroxy acids due to their slightly different structure. For this reason, salicylic acid can help in treating problems that lie a bit deeper within our skin where AHA's might not be able to reach.
Salicylic acid is most famous for treating blackheads and whiteheads, which are very common issues faced by many people. It works to treat these problems by loosening the dead skin cells (much like AHA's do) and sort of "dissolving" the white and blackheads. Because BHA's are more oil soluble than AHA's, it can penetrate deeper into our skin and exfoliate at a deeper level than AHA's are able to. Salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory, which means it helps reduce the redness of those angry pimples that pop up from time to time.
If used on a daily basis, salicylic acid can be very useful in decreasing the number of breakouts you get and also preventing future breakouts by ensuring that your pores stay clean. Because your pores will be clean and free of gunk, this can also give the appearance of reduced pore sizes that many people look for in using different skin care products.
Much like other active ingredients, it's important to start out slow and allow your skin to build some tolerance to the strength of the active ingredient. Once your skin has built up that strength, you can go about using the product daily.
Here are my favorite salicylic acid products:
Beta hydroxy acids happen to be more oil soluble than alpha hydroxy acids due to their slightly different structure. For this reason, salicylic acid can help in treating problems that lie a bit deeper within our skin where AHA's might not be able to reach.
Salicylic acid is most famous for treating blackheads and whiteheads, which are very common issues faced by many people. It works to treat these problems by loosening the dead skin cells (much like AHA's do) and sort of "dissolving" the white and blackheads. Because BHA's are more oil soluble than AHA's, it can penetrate deeper into our skin and exfoliate at a deeper level than AHA's are able to. Salicylic acid is also anti-inflammatory, which means it helps reduce the redness of those angry pimples that pop up from time to time.
If used on a daily basis, salicylic acid can be very useful in decreasing the number of breakouts you get and also preventing future breakouts by ensuring that your pores stay clean. Because your pores will be clean and free of gunk, this can also give the appearance of reduced pore sizes that many people look for in using different skin care products.
Much like other active ingredients, it's important to start out slow and allow your skin to build some tolerance to the strength of the active ingredient. Once your skin has built up that strength, you can go about using the product daily.
Here are my favorite salicylic acid products:
- https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/yourgoodskin-acne-clearing-rapid-rescue-treatment/ID=prod6361299-product?ext=gooKBM_PLA_-_All_Products&pla&adtype=pla&kpid=sku6293324&sst=_k_EAIaIQobChMI28Wi54-m4QIVURx9Ch1rRwK2EAQYASABEgL8GPD_BwE_k_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI28Wi54-m4QIVURx9Ch1rRwK2EAQYASABEgL8GPD_BwE
- I use this on pimples I get before I sleep and it really helps reduce the size and redness of the pimple overnight.
- https://www.amazon.com/Zapzyt-ZapZyt-Acne-Wash-6-25/dp/B00N8EZH8A
- If used daily, this cleanser can really help keep your skin well exfoliated and free of breakouts. Because you're using the product daily, it functions more as a preventative measure rather than only using it when you get a breakout.
So would you use this daily? If you had to choose, which would work more efficiently towards breakouts? AHA's or salicylic acid products?
ReplyDeleteI would recommend salicylic acid products for breakouts for sure! Because it works deeper in your skin than AHA's do, if you use it consistently, it can really help ensure your pores are clean and prevent future breakouts.
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