Is Salicylic Acid an Exfoliant?

Is salicylic acid an exfoliant or not?

You’ve seen it used in skin care products advertising clear skin, but is it actually an exfoliant?

Is Salicylic Acid an Exfoliant?

Yes, salicylic acid is an exfoliant. The process of exfoliation involves removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is used to treat acne and other conditions that cause excess oil production on the skin.

When applied to the face, it helps to dissolve dead skin cells and unclog pores.

How to Use a Salicylic Acid As an Exfoliant

Let’s take a look at how to use a salicylic acid exfoliant.

Step 1

Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser.

Step 2

Apply toner to your skin to remove any leftover residue from the cleanser.

Step 3

Apply a small amount of salicylic acid to your skin in circular motions, avoiding the eye area.

Step 4

Use a cotton pad or your fingers to gently wipe away any excess product from your face, being careful not to over-exfoliate.

Step 5

Moisturize your skin after using salicylic acid by patting on moisturizer with clean hands until fully absorbed into the skin.

Can Salicylic Acid Be Used as a Cleanser?

The short answer is yes, salicylic acid can be used as a cleanser.

However, it is important that you use it correctly.

If you use too much salicylic acid, it can cause irritation to the skin.

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) and works by exfoliating the skin.

It has been proven to help with acne because it exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and reducing congestion in pores.

While this can help with acne, it cannot prevent future breakouts from occurring.

As a cleanser, salicylic acid does not have any antibacterial properties like benzoyl peroxide or triclosan do.

It is best used on oily or combination skin types that do not have many breakouts but still have large pores and need an exfoliant for those enlarged pores.

Salicylic acid should be used twice weekly at most to avoid irritation of the skin.

Final Thoughts

Salicylic acid is currently being used in the treatment of oily skin, acne, and psoriasis.

The question is: Is salicylic acid an exfoliant? Is it good for your face?

Yes, salicylic acid is an exfoliant, but that doesn’t make it the best one.