The average salicylic acid concentration in acne products is about 2%.
However, some people with more severe forms of acne need stronger concentrations to achieve success.
That’s why you can find products that contain up to 5% salicylic acid.
While it is safe and effective, there are a few things you should keep in mind if you’re using a 5% salicylic acid product.
Is 5% Salicylic Acid Safe?
5% salicylic acid is safe when used correctly.
Salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant that helps remove dead skin cells, allowing new skin to grow in their place.
It also works as an anti-acne ingredient, keeping pores clear and reducing inflammation.
This strength of salicylic acid has been proven safe for most people with normal and sensitive skin types.
However, there are some people who should avoid using it altogether.
Those with open wounds or acne lesions (pimples), those taking blood thinners or other medications that increase the risk of bleeding, anyone using Accutane (isotretinoin) because it’s known to cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy; and anyone under 18 years old who hasn’t finished growing from puberty yet.
How to Use 5% Salicylic Acid Safely
There are a few things you can do to use 5% salicylic acid safely.
1. Use a sunscreen
Use a sunscreen that contains a physical sunblock, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, over your acne treatment.
This will prevent the salicylic acid from causing hyperpigmentation (dark spots) from sun exposure.
2. Apply only to affected areas
Apply the salicylic acid only to affected areas and not over large areas of the face.
3. Avoid retinoids or benzoyl peroxide
Do not apply any other products containing retinoids or benzoyl peroxide while using a 5% salicylic acid treatment.
These ingredients can cause severe skin irritation and make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
4. Use the smallest amount needed
Use the smallest amount needed to cover all areas of the face with one layer of cream (no more than 3 times per week).
Do not rub it into your skin aggressively because this could irritate it even further and cause dryness and peeling during treatment.
5. Start slowly
If you have never used a product with 5% salicylic acid before and you are concerned about side effects, start slowly and use small amounts of the product each day until your skin gets used to it.
Do not apply too much at once or overdo it with daily use because this could cause irritation and other side effects.
6. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
As with all acids, you should avoid contact with your eyes and mucous membranes.
If you accidentally get any on these areas of your body, rinse them off immediately with water or wipe them away with a clean towel or tissue paper until they stop burning or tingling.
7. Apply at night
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic agent that helps to exfoliate the top layer of skin, making it ideal for treating acneic skin conditions.
Salicylic acid can be irritating if used on the face during the day, so it’s best to apply it at night after you’ve cleansed and toned your skin.
8. Don’t sleep in it
Once you’ve applied salicylic acid to your face at night, leave it there for 10 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
It won’t help you treat acne if you don’t let it work its magic!
9. Don’t use more than once a day
You should only use salicylic acid one time per day because it can cause peeling if left on too long or used too frequently (more than once per day).
The recommended usage is once nightly before bedtime, but some people find that using it twice weekly works well for their skin type as well (just go easy).
10. Don’t use it on broken skin or open wounds
Salicylic acid can cause irritation for some people, especially if they have sensitive skin or are using products with high concentrations of the ingredient.
To avoid any problems and make sure your skin stays healthy, be sure not to use salicylic acid on broken skin or open wounds. This includes cuts and scrapes, as well as rashes like eczema and psoriasis.
11. Don’t mix it with other acne treatments
You may have heard that mixing benzoyl peroxide with salicylic acid helps treat acne better than each ingredient alone — but that’s not true.
In fact, doing so can be dangerous because both ingredients can cause irritation when combined together.
If you’re using both on your skin at once (or even one right after the other), you could end up with broken capillaries, itching, and redness all over your face!
12. Use gentle cleansers and moisturizers
Cleansers made with salicylic acid are often too harsh for normal skin types, so look for something gentler instead.
Similarly, avoid harsh exfoliators that can irritate your skin when it’s already inflamed by pimples and blackheads.
Instead, try using a soft cloth to gently buff away dead skin cells every few days (make sure to use a new one each time).
Also, look for moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid — this natural substance helps keep moisture in your skin by attracting it from the air around you (yes, it’s true!).
A good moisturizer should also include ceramides and antioxidants like resveratrol (which helps reduce inflammation) and niacinamide (an antioxidant that fights free radicals).
Is 5% Salicylic Acid Safer Than 10%?
As it turns out, there’s good reason to think that 5% salicylic acid is safer than 10%.
First of all, it’s important to note that the concentration of salicylic acid in a product doesn’t always mean that the product is any more or less effective at treating pimples.
In fact, products containing 10% salicylic acid are equivalent to those containing 2% or 4%, which means they’re just as effective at reducing breakouts.
However, because 5% salicylic acid has fewer irritating chemicals (like menthol and methyl lactate), your skin may be less likely to react negatively.
Additionally, since it’s more gentle on your skin than stronger strengths (such as 20%), you should have fewer side effects when using this solution regularly—like increased sensitivity and dryness—which is great news for anyone who wants clear skin without irritation!
How Long Should You Use 5% Salicylic Acid?
You should use 5% salicylic acid for at least 2 weeks.
If you don’t see results after 2 weeks, it’s safe to stop using it.
You can also use 5% salicylic acid for up to 6 weeks before stopping if needed.
However, the longer you use it the more likely that side effects will occur, so we suggest starting with a shorter treatment period first and then reevaluating your skin’s needs after that time has passed.
How Long Does It Take for Some People to See Results From Using 5% Salicylic Acid Products?
How long it takes for you to see results from using 5% salicylic acid products depends on a lot of factors.
These include the severity of your acne, how often you apply the product, and whether or not it contains other active ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or retinol.
If you’re using an over-the-counter product that contains 5% salicylic acid, it may take several weeks before you start to notice any improvement in your skin.
Generally speaking, most people can expect to see some improvement after about three months of regular use (about once a day).
Of course, there are always exceptions; for example, some people have reported noticeable improvements within just one week!
In addition to being able to purchase products with this concentration over-the-counter at a drugstore like Walmart or Target (or online through Amazon), there are also prescription formulations available from your dermatologist that contain upwards of 20% salicylic acid.
These are designed specifically for those with moderate or severe acne outbreaks but they may come with side effects such as irritation and dryness if used incorrectly.
Should You Use a Moisturizer After Applying 5% Salicylic Acid?
After you apply your 5% salicylic acid cream, you may still experience some irritation.
This is because the salicylic acid needs to penetrate into your pores in order to work.
The moisturizer will help the product absorb better and prevent dryness and irritation on your face.
Who Shouldn’t Use 5% Salicylic Acid Products?
It’s important to note that salicylic acid is not suitable for everyone.
If you’re unsure, it’s best to talk with a dermatologist to see if 5% salicylic acid products are right for your skin concerns.
The following people should avoid this treatment:
1. People with sensitive or fragile skin
Salicylic acid can be harsh on sensitive and dry skin types, causing redness and flaking.
That’s why it’s best to use this treatment in conjunction with other products that help soothe irritated skin.
2. People who have rosacea
Rosacea is an inflammatory disorder characterized by redness and pimples on the face, which may worsen with certain topical treatments like salicylic acid.
If you have rosacea, talk to your doctor before using any new products containing salicylic acid (prescription or over-the-counter).
3. People concerned about facial hair growth
According to Slate magazine writer Jillian Goodman, some people experience unwanted hair growth after using salicylic acid due to its antiandrogenic effects (meaning it blocks testosterone).
However, others say they’ve noticed no change at all after applying these products regularly over time because hormones fluctuate naturally during different stages of life anyway.
Still, others claim their facial hair actually grew less when using these products compared with other methods like shaving cream!
Will 5% Salicylic Acid Burn Your Skin?
Yes, 5% salicylic acid can burn your skin if you use it incorrectly.
If you use too much of the chemical and/or apply it to sensitive areas like the face or chest, it could cause redness, peeling, and dryness.
These side effects are due to an increase in sun exposure that comes from putting sunscreen on top of salicylic acid.
If your skin is not used to having salicylic acid applied regularly and frequently, this can also lead to irritation or even burning sensations.
However, as long as you start out small before gradually increasing your usage over time (to avoid any discomfort), there should be no problems with using 5% salicylic acid on your face or body!
Does 5% Salicylic Acid Irritate Sensitive Skin?
5% salicylic acid is safe to use on sensitive skin, and can even help to reduce breakouts and acne scars.
Salicylic acid is a type of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps exfoliate the surface of your skin.
This allows your pores to appear smaller, allowing them to be more easily cleared out.
In addition, it also works as an anti-inflammatory agent that can help to reduce redness and irritation, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin types.
What Are the Side Effects of Using a 5% Salicylic Acid Product?
Itching and irritation are common side effects of salicylic acid.
It’s not uncommon for people to experience some dryness, redness, peeling, or stinging when using a 5% salicylic acid product.
If your skin is sensitive or irritable, you may want to start with a lower concentration of the ingredient in your skincare regimen (like 2%).
If you’re still experiencing irritation after using this strength for a few weeks, then work your way up to the full 5%.
Are There Any Other Benefits to Using a 5% Salicylic
For people with acne-prone skin, 5% salicylic acid is a good choice because it’s gentle enough to exfoliate without irritating your skin.
It also has antibacterial properties that can help fight breakouts by reducing the number of pore-clogging pores and preventing buildup on the surface of your skin.
If you have sensitive skin, 5% salicylic acid is a great option for you to use as an exfoliant.
The lower concentration means that there won’t be any risk of irritation or over-exfoliation, but still provides plenty of benefits such as clearing away dead cells from the surface so that new ones can grow in their place (a process known as cell turnover).
Finally, if you have oily or combination skin types where one area might get too oily while another stays dry throughout the day – then this product might be right up your alley!
This milder formula will gently dissolve oils without drying out any other areas since it contains only 1% hydrocortisone which keeps pores clear while allowing other ingredients such as witch hazel extract moisturize those dry patches instead (we love Witch Hazel Extract!).
Final Thoughts
The 5 percent salicylic acid cream you’ve been using on your face or body is safe.
You can use it twice a day without any problems, but you should use a moisturizer after applying it.
If you have sensitive skin, though, the product could cause some irritation or redness.
Make sure to test out the 5% concentration of salicylic acid by applying just a little bit at first to be safe!
