Is salicylic acid good for oily skin

Over the years, I've tried several different cleansers — if a friend or family member endorses a cleanser, you can pretty much guarantee that I'll try it. I even remember one year when my skin was out of control, I had pimples popping up randomly. My friend recommended a face wash that contained salicylic acid, and fortunately, it helped "Salicylic acid is typically found in acne cleansers, spot treatments, toners, serums, and peels," says Dr. Hu. 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, What Does Salicylic Acid Do For the Skin? Because salicylic acid can penetrate deeply into the skin and go beyond just the surface layer, it's a powerful acne-fighting ingredient. "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," explains Dr. Hu. Which Skin Types Should Use Salicylic Acid? 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. Does Salicylic Acid Have Any Side Effects? In general, salicylic acid is safe to use on all skin types and should not caus...

Was this helpful? If you have oily skin that’s prone to breakouts, you might be tempted to add an astringent to your daily skin care routine. Astringents may help cleanse skin, tighten pores, and dry out oil. Astringents are liquid-based formulas, usually containing isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). You can also find natural astringents with alcohol from botanicals, and even alcohol-free astringents. Avoid alcohol-based astringents if you have dry skin. Alcohol-based products may dry out your skin and make acne worse. Read on to learn about the benefits and side effects of astringents, and how to add astringents to your regular skin care routine. Astringents may have several benefits for your skin. They may be used to help: • shrink appearance of pores • tighten skin • cleanse irritants from skin • reduce inflammation • reduce acne • provide anti-bacterial benefits Astringents work best for oily, acne-prone skin. That’s because they help remove excess oil and unclog pores. Astringents can be very drying for the skin. Avoid alcohol-based and chemical-based astringents if you have dry or sensitive skin. If you have acne and dry skin, an astringent may further irritate breakouts, leading to peeling and additional redness. Also, avoid alcohol-based astringents if you have eczema or rosacea. Instead, try a hydrating toner or If you have oily skin and are going to use an alcohol-based astringent, consider spot treating only the oily parts of your skin. This can help prevent irritatio...

If you’ve ever taken a chemistry class, you’re probably familiar with the pH scale. (Hang tight, we promise we’re getting to acids for skin care.) While a seven is perfectly neutral, any substance that clocks in below that number below is considered acidic — and above it, basic. So by the scientific definition, tons of But it’s alpha and beta hydroxy acids (you may know them as AHAs and BHAs) that provide the exfoliating benefits typically associated with acids. In controlled formulas, these types of acids loosen the fluid that binds cells to the upper layers of skin, allowing the dead cells to fall away. This increase in cell turnover helps lessen breakouts, smooth fine lines, and gives an overall brightening effect. Pretty impressive, right? But with great power comes great responsibility. So in this episode of The Science of Beauty, co-hosts Michelle Lee, editor in chief, and Jenny Bailly, executive beauty director, called in dermatologist Laurel Naversen Geraghty (who — fun fact! — is a former Allure editor) to help make sense of when and how to use these potent skin-care ingredients. What are acids? To put it simply, acids are a skin-care ingredient often used for exfoliation. Like we said, there are two main groups of acids in skincare: What are the different types of acids used in skincare? First, let’s unpack the difference between AHAs and BHAs. Glycolic Acid Glycolic acid — which is derived from sugar — is one of the most common acids used in skincare. It has the...