How Salicylic Acid Removes Acne

If you have ever checked the ingredient list of acne wash or serum, salicylic acid is what you will find. It is the champion of the skincare world without any doubt. But actually, when you are looking at a stubborn breakout, the only question that really matters is: does salicylic acid remove acne or is it just hype? Yes, but the way it works is different from what you imagine. In contrast to bacteria-killing treatments, Salicylic Acid is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that helps the skin to be "deep cleaned" from the pores.

How Salicylic Acid Removes Acne

Acne, for the most part, starts when oil (sebum) and dead skin cells are trapped in a pore, thus a "plug" is created. Since Salicylic Acid is oil soluble, it is capable of going deep into that oil to break the one that is holding the plug together.

• Cleanses Clogs: Nicely it dissolves the "plug" in the pore by taking blackheads and whiteheads out of the pore.

• Soothes Redness: Being a derivative of aspirin, it is endowed with anti, inflammatory abilities to soothe the skin that is red and inflamed.
• Exfoliates: It takes off the skin layer that is already dead so that the absences won't come back.

Salicylic Acid vs. Other Treatments

While Salicylic Acid is incredible for texture and congestion, it’s helpful to see how it stacks up against other popular ingredients:

Why Your Acne Might Look Worse at First

If you start using it and spots go up, don't panic. This is a "purging" phenomenon. The acid, being a heavy cleaner, is breaking down the deep "gunk" that is why it is showing all the hidden clogs at once. So, it is better to wait 4, 6 weeks; that is the time when really "clear skin" happens.

The Takeaway:

Is salicylic acid removing acne? Of course, it is the best choice for oily skin, blackheads, and the prevention of new breakouts. However, if you have deep, cystic acne, you may need to Benzoyl Peroxide together with it.