Does salicylic acid work for everyone?
While salicylic acid is good for any skin type, Dr. Hu says that people who have acne-prone and oily skin will benefit the most from this ingredient as it has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe irritation, combat acne problems, and prevent new breakouts.
Why does my skin not like salicylic acid?
For example, salicylic acid, which works to unclog pores, is also a “mild chemical irritant.” Kathleen Suozzi, a dermatologic surgeon at Yale School of Medicine explains that this means salicylic acid also works as a drying agent and can cause skin redness and flaking if used too much.
Can your skin become immune to salicylic acid?
The simple answer is, no. Your skin doesn’t build up an immunity to skincare products over time. They don’t just one day decide they aren’t going to work anymore. This is because there is no direct mechanism for your skin to become immune to the effects of products.
How long does it take to see results with salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid penetrates your skin and works to dissolve the dead skin cells clogging your pores. It can take several weeks of use for you to see its full effect. Check with your dermatologist if you aren’t seeing results after 6 weeks .
Why does salicylic acid not work for me?
Why it might not be working: There are multiple types and causes of acne — and if your acne is severe, salicylic acid might not be strong enough for you. “Cystic acne will need something stronger than salicylic acid,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, a dermatologist based in New York City.
Who should not use salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid should not be applied to large areas of the body, used for long periods of time, or used under occlusive dressing (air-tight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap) in children. Use of salicylic acid topical in children younger than 2 years of age is not recommended.
Is salicylic acid good for everyone?
Anyone can use salicylic acid, but it’s especially useful for people with oily or acne-prone skin. Whether you’re keen to combat frequent breakouts or searching for a dependable remedy to treat oily skin, look no further than salicylic aci.
Does salicylic acid work for all acne?
Although there’s no complete cure for acne, salicylic acid has been shown to help clear up breakouts for many people. Talk with a doctor or dermatologist to see if salicylic acid is appropriate for your skin and your current health condition.
What to use if salicylic acid isn t working?
If your skin isn’t responding to salicylic acid, you can use a topical application of sulfur in conjunction with the acid. Sulphur removes excess oil and removes congestion by increasing skin cell turnover.
Why am I breaking out after using salicylic acid?
Skin purging occurs because of some ingredients that accelerate your body’s natural process of getting rid of dead skin cells. Products that contain certain components—including lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinoids—are likely the culprits of your acne breakout.
Why am I still breaking out on salicylic acid?
You’re allergic or sensitive to the ingredients.
Dr. Suozzi says it’s rare to be allergic to ingredients like retinoids and salicylic acid. But, it’s possible that your skin is sensitive to those ingredients, which could cause a reaction.What to use instead of salicylic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is a great alternative to salicylic acid.
- Sulfur.
- Glycolic acid.
- Zinc oxide.
- Tea tree oil.
- Allantoin.
- Willow bark extract.
- Marine algae.
What’s better than salicylic acid?
Benzoyl peroxide is an active ingredient that is a little more powerful than salicylic acid, and works to penetrate the pores by breaking down the dead skin cel.
How long does purging last with salicylic acid?
Generally speaking, dermatologists say purging should be over within four to six weeks of starting a new skin care regimen. If your purge lasts longer than six weeks, consult your dermatologist.
How does salicylic acid break you out at first?
Salicylic acid (also known as BHA) is the chemical exfoliant most associated with this phenomenon because it penetrates into pores, breaking apart clumps of skin cells. It also thins the thick, sticky oil (sebum) buildup inside to reduce the size of clogs residing deeper in skin.
What does salicylic acid purging look like?
Purging breakouts look like tiny, red bumps on the skin that are painful when touched. Often, there may be whiteheads and blackheads that appear along with the bumps.
How long does it take for salicylic acid to work on acne?
When using salicylic acid or other acne treatments, it may take 6-8 weeks to start noticing results. Anyone who does not see an improvement in their acne after this time may wish to contact a doctor or dermatologist for advice on alternative treatment options.
Can salicylic acid cause worse acne?
Products that contain certain components—including lactic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinoids—are likely the culprits of your acne breakout. That is because they are designed to speed up cell turnover.
Why isn’t my salicylic acid cleanser working?
If your trusty salicylic-acid-spiked cleanser doesn’t seem to be doing anything for your skin, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a dud. “Cleansers need contact time on the skin to work,” says Dr. Zeichner. If it’s only on your face for a few seconds, the ingredients don’t have time to do their job.