Salicylic acid is one of the buzziest ingredients in skin care. Found in everything from acne cleansers to spot treatments to toners, serums, and peels, the exfoliant can address a range of skin care concerns. However, in order to make the most of salicylic acid's benefits, it's important to use the ingredient correctly.

You may be wondering: Can I use salicylic acid daily? How long do results last? Are there any side effects? To answer these questions, we tapped skin care expert Dr. Shuting Hu, who let us in on everything there is to know about one salicylic acid.

Meet the expert

  • Dr. Shuting Hu is a cosmetic chemist and co-founder of Acaderma.

Keep reading for our complete guide to salicylic acid.

What Is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is a naturally occurring molecule derived from the bark of willow trees. According to Dr. Shuting Hu, salicylic acid is keratolytic — a compound that breaks down the outer layer of the skin to make it easier to slough off dead skin cells and encourage cellular turnover. It's part of a class of acids called beta-hydroxy acids (or BHAs) and is known for its ability to help exfoliate the skin's surface.

"When it comes to skin care, you'll either run into Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)," said Dr. Hu. "BHAs, like salicylic acid, are more oil-soluble, and AHAs are more water-soluble. BHAs easily break through the skin cells' lipid layers and penetrate the skin at a deeper level than water-soluble products."

The Benefits of Salicylic Acid for Skin

"As salicylic acid is an oil-soluble ingredient, it can penetrate skin cells that are deep beneath the surface of the skin and remove impurities that clog the pores and ultimately lead to whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples," Dr. Hu told us.

This makes it a powerful ingredient against breakouts.

"Part of the cleansing process includes removing excess sebum from pores. This helps to reduce oiliness and combat acne," explained Dr. Hu. "The acid part of the molecule can break down and loosen the desmosome (the proteins that hold cells together), making it easier for the product to exfoliate and cleanse any impurities that are clogging the pores."

However, exfoliating dead skin cells and clearing clogged pores are not the only benefits of salicylic acid. It can help minimize the look of pores and reduce inflammation, too.

Who It's For

While salicylic acid is good for any skin type, Dr. Hu said people who have acne-prone and oily skin will benefit most from this ingredient as it has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe irritation, combat acne problems, and prevent new breakouts.

If you have particularly dry skin, it's best to avoid salicylic acid as it works to remove oil and might cause even more dryness.

How to Use Salicylic Acid

"How often you use salicylic acid depends on what kind of product you are using," said Dr. Hu. "If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." 

However, if you are using an exfoliant that has salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advised only using the product three times per week to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.

Products containing between 1 to 2 percent of salicylic acid are effective. However, Dr. Hu recommended looking for products containing 2 percent if you are trying to treat acne. 

"I like 4.5.6 Skin's Green Bae Cleansing Gel, CeraVe Renewing Face Cleanser, and My Clarins Clear-Out. These are all great products that contain salicylic acid," she shared.

Side Effects of Salicylic Acid

In general, salicylic acid is safe to use on all skin types and should not cause any negative reactions. 

"You might notice a little bit of irritation at first, but this should not last long," said Dr. Hu. "If irritation continues to occur, I recommend stopping the product and seeking advice from a dermatologist."

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