Salicylic Acid
If you suffer from acne, spot prone, oily or blemished skin, Salicylic Acid is something you need to know about and which you should look for in the ingredients list of your skincare products. Salicylic Acid is a natural acid which comes from plants and is one of the most effective topical ingredients used to treat acne.
Salicylic Acid exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells. It penetrates into the skins hair follicles, refining pores and removing and preventing future blocked pores. It dissolves excess oils, which in turn, stops the skin looking greasy and prevents future breakouts.
It is also an anti-inflammatory, which means that it is effective in soothing irritated red skin (this is a common side affect associated with problematic acne prone skin). Salicylic Acid also helps to reduce uneven skin tone, pigmentation and blemishes; all side affects of acne and photo damaged skin.
Which Product?
If you suffer from acne, I would consider looking at your whole skincare routine. You should ensure that you are using an appropriate cleanser and that your treatment cream and other products are suitable for acne prone skin. To make it easy for you, our Doctors have developed a number of packages, so that you can revamp your entire skincare routine, without the fuss. Take a look at our Acne Treatment Package or Premium Acne Treatment Package.
If you have blemished, ageing skin and suffer from occasional breakouts, we recommend SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense. Combine it with SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleansing Gel for optimum results.
If you have oily skin and have occasional breakouts, again, consider looking at your whole skincare routine. To reduce oil secretion and balance your skin, we recommend our Oily Skin Treatment package, which includes all the products you need to restore and balance your skin.
If you suffer from blocked pores and have problematic skin. We recommend introducing a salicylic cleanser to your skincare routine, such as Agera Deep Cleansing Salicylic Wash or Obagi CLENZIderm Foaming Cleanser.
Tips for acne and blemish prone skin…
? Cleanse your face with warm water morning and night. Ensure that the water is not too hot, which can increase redness.
? Do not pick or scratch spots. This can spread bacteria, causing further breakouts.
? Introduce a product slowly over time. Skin may react or dry out if you start using a product containing an ingredient such as Salicylic Acid every day. I advise that you start using it every other day until your skin adapts to the new ingredients.
? Minimise the use of heavy make up. Try a mineral foundation or tinted moisturiser. You might want to look as good as possible at the gym, but it’s really important to remove your make up before you exercise and (of course) at night. Let your skin breath as much as possible.
? Ladies! Clean your make up brushes regularly. This will remove any unwanted bacteria which can cause breakouts.
