What Does Salicylic Acid Do? Benefits and Uses in Skincare

What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant that is classified as a hydroxy acid. There are two subcategories of hydroxy acids: alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). Salicylic acid falls into the latter category, which means it’s oil-soluble rather than water soluble.

Historically, salicylic acid was extracted from sugars found in the bark of the willow tree, but today, the ingredient is often produced synthetically for efficiency.

How does salicylic acid work?

Salicylic acid works by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells that collect on the skin surface. And, thanks to its status as a BHA, salicylic acid is also capable of penetrating deep within your pores to clear them. Being oil-soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate and soften hardened sebum plugs within clogged pores. Salicylic acid is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to help remove excess oil from the skin’s surface.

What is salicylic acid good for? 5 key benefits

Sub-optimal skin cell turnover can result in a number of skin concerns, but salicylic acid benefits the skin by encouraging the natural renewal process and ushering clearer, brighter, smoother skin to the surface. Below are five key benefits of salicylic acid for skin:

• Penetrates deep into the skin to unclog pores, which makes it one of the best ingredients to target blemishes and reduce the recurrence of breakouts (especially blackheads and whiteheads).
• Helps refine the look of enlarged pores and improve skin texture overall.
• Accelerates skin turnover, which helps diminish the appearance of post-blemish hyperpigmentation.
• Regulates sebum production to control excess oil.
• Dissolves dead skin cells, helping to brighten and unify skin tone.

How to use salicylic acid in your skincare routine

Products enriched with this potent ingredient can take different forms such as cleansers and serums, which means it’s possible to find a salicylic acid product that works for you and your skin. It’s worth noting, however, that salicylic acid can be quite drying on the skin, so it’s best to avoid mixing with potent ingredients like retinol and ensuring that your skin is hydrated. BHAs can also make your skin more photosensitive, so daily SPF application is a must.

Below, we’ll guide you through how to use salicylic acid on your face, either as a cleanser, exfoliating serum, spot treatment, or liquid pimple patch.

As a cleanser

Using a salicylic acid face cleanser can be highly efficacious in purifying your complexion, especially if your skin is prone to excess oil. We recommend trying our Gently Effective Blemish-Treating Facial Cleansing Paste – a 3-in-1 non-drying charcoal paste formulated with a blend of salicylic acid and kaolin clay to extract impurities. Designed to dry out your pimples – not your skin – the formula also contains cica centella and glycerin to reinforce your skin moisture barrier. This formula is suitable for daily use if you have oily or blemish-prone skin. Simply follow with the non-comedogenic Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream to maintain hydration at the skin surface.

As an exfoliating serum

Of course, cleansers aren’t the only example of how to use salicylic acid. Chemical exfoliants are an effective method of exfoliation because they don’t use manual rubbing to slough dead skin cells. Instead, they’re often formulated in face serums to promote the skin’s natural shedding process.

To harness salicylic acid’s benefits, we suggest the Clearly Corrective™ Daily Re-Texturizing Triple Acid Peel, which is enriched with a blend of salicylic acid, two AHAs (glycolic acid and lactic acid), and one PHA (gluconolactone). This exfoliating serum is designed to visibly reduce the appearance of pores, control excess oil, amplify radiance, and smooth skin texture.

While gentle enough for daily use, we recommend following our expert advice on how to layer serums to maintain optimum skin comfort and hydration.

As a spot treatment

If you have current blemishes, you may want to introduce salicylic acid into your routine in the form of a spot treatment. This will allow you to target individual pimples with concentrated ingredients – like salicylic acid.

Our Expertly Clear Blemish-Targeting & Preventing Lotion delivers salicylic acid benefits to the skin, along with niacinamide to diminish redness, glycerin to hydrate, and postbiotic lactobacillus ferment to rebalance the skin microbiome.

This lightweight, non-greasy lotion works to reduce the size and colour of existing pimples while diminishing the look of post-blemish marks. Its hydrating formula also respects the skin moisture barrier, making it suitable for all skin types. Apply a thin layer to the affected areas as the last step in your skincare routine.

As a liquid pimple patch

Breakouts can be particularly difficult to manage because external bacteria can exacerbate pimples. However, pimple patches can form a protective shield over the area, which helps keep external aggressors out.

But how does salicylic acid work as a pimple patch? Well, we have the answer: the Truly Targeted Blemish Solution. Kiehl’s unique formula is designed with ‘liquid patch’ technology to create a breathable yet protective seal over pimples, while salicylic acid penetrates deeply into the skin. The colour and size of existing blemishes are visibly diminished without drying out the skin, while the formula also helps fade the appearance of post-blemish marks.

Salicylic acid benefits the skin in many ways – especially if you experience excess oil. Next, curate the ultimate skincare routine for oily skin.