Salicylic Acid

What Is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid (SA) is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps promote the skin’s natural exfoliation process. Originally derived from the bark of certain plants—such as white willow and wintergreen leaf—salicylic acid is most often produced in a lab today. This ingredient has long been used to target various concerns, including rough and bumpy skin (also known as keratosis pilaris), clogged pores, and skin conditions like psoriasis. When used as part of your skincare regimen, this ingredient’s mild yet effective exfoliating properties can help leave your skin feeling softer and smoother.

What does salicylic acid do for skin?

Salicylic acid helps exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores. Because it is oil-soluble, salicylic acid can work within pores, which makes it especially useful in skincare for concerns such as blackheads, clogged pores, and acne-prone skin. It can also help smooth rough or uneven-looking skin texture

Important Things to Know About Salicylic Acid

How does salicylic acid work?

The discovery of salicylic acid dates all the way back to 1838, when it was first prepared by an Italian chemist named Raffaele Piria. Salicylic acid helps exfoliate the skin by loosening the “glue” that holds skin cells together. This supports the natural shedding of dead skin cells, helping slough away dull or rough skin to reveal a fresh, healthy-looking complexion. You’ll find salicylic acid in a variety of skincare products—including body washes, moisturizers, facial cleansers, and more.

Is salicylic acid a BHA?

Yes, salicylic acid is what’s known as a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA, which has become a popular ingredient in skincare alone or in combination with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). While they both have exfoliating properties, which can help smooth texture, it is thought to be less irritating than their AHA counterparts.

What is salicylic acid good for?

Salicylic acid is a “lipid-soluble” ingredient, which means it can effectively penetrate your pores. This makes it especially useful for oily and acne-prone skin (particularly for those with “open comedones,” also known as blackheads) because it helps unclog pores and keep them free of acne-causing debris. Salicylic acid’s mild exfoliation benefits can help improve the look of rough and bumpy skin as well, which is formally known as keratosis pilaris and can resemble “chicken skin” or “strawberry skin.” It can also be beneficial for those dealing with psoriasis by reducing scaling and helping to prevent further flare-ups.

Does salicylic acid unclog pores?

You bet. Because salicylic acid is soluble in oil, it can help penetrate sebum to clean out dirt and debris from pores. And because it gently exfoliates skin, it loosens dry or scaly cells to help prevent pores from clogging in the first place. Both of these attributes make it an especially beneficial ingredient for those with acne-prone skin. That’s why you’ll find it starring in a range of CeraVe formulas, such as Acne Control Cleanser, which contains 2% salicylic acid along with oil-absorbing clay, niacinamide, and three essential ceramides. Our Acne Control Gel is formulated with all the same acne-targeting ingredients, as well as the AHAs lactic and glycolic acids.

Can salicylic acid help with blackheads?

Yes, salicylic acid can be an excellent skincare ingredient to help improve the appearance of blackheads. Along with its ability to penetrate sebum (a.k.a. oil)—which traps dirt and debris to create blackheads—salicylic acid provides gentle exfoliation to help promote skin cell turnover.

Who should use salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is the most commonly used beta-hydroxy acid in skincare products, according to the FDA. It is generally considered to be a gentler option when compared to other hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid. Although various skin types can benefit from salicylic acid, it is optimal for oily or acne-prone skin because of its ability to help control excess oil production and improve the appearance of clogged pores, dullness, and blackheads. It can also be used to help smooth the appearance of psoriasis, as well as rough and bumpy skin.

For the latter, you’ll find it with spherical jojoba beads and ceramides in our SA Cleanser Bar for Rough & Bumpy Skin. Follow it up with a moisturizer, such as CeraVe SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin—which also stars ceramides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid—in order to up the skin-smoothing benefits while locking in all-day hydration.

If you’re unsure about whether or not salicylic acid is the right choice for your skincare routine, seek the help of a qualified dermatologist.

Is extra sun protection necessary when using salicylic acid?

Daily sun protection is an essential part of any effective skincare routine, and sunscreen should be applied every morning, whether you’re using salicylic acid or not. According to the FDA’s guidelines, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher should be applied daily, rain or shine, and reapplied every two hours during extended periods of sun exposure. Direct sunlight should be avoided during peak hours of the day, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

This is especially important when using salicylic acid in your skincare routine, since its exfoliating effects can leave your skin more vulnerable to harmful UV rays. It’s recommended to take extra protective measures against sun damage when using salicylic acid, like wearing a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses.

Can Salicylic Acid Be Used With Other Skincare Ingredients?

Salicylic acid is generally considered to be an ingredient that is suitable for daily use and, when applied correctly, can be used in combination with other skincare ingredients. CeraVe salicylic acid products are always formulated with three essential ceramides to help lock in moisture and restore the skin’s protective barrier. That said, always follow the directions on individual skincare products for best results.

You may find products that pair salicylic acid with other mild exfoliants, such as the alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) lactic acid or glycolic acid, to help further support smoother-looking skin. As with all chemical exfoliants, it’s important to follow the label instructions closely and seek advice from a dermatologist when in doubt.

Is It Safe To Use Salicylic Acid Every Day?

The frequency in which you can safely use salicylic acid will depend largely on the products you choose, your skin type, current skincare goals, and the percentage of salicylic acid included in the formula. There are many skincare products containing salicylic acid that are specially formulated to be gentle enough for daily use. This is true of most CeraVe formulas. Our salicylic acid products utilize ingredients such as calming niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and ceramides to support a well-rounded approach to healthy-looking skin—without disrupting your skin barrier.

Can you use salicylic acid with niacinamide?

Absolutely! That’s why you’ll find salicylic acid paired with niacinamide in multiple CeraVe products. In addition to our aforementioned Acne Control Cleanser, Acne Control Gel, Cleanser Bar for Rough & Bumpy Skin, and SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin, you’ll find both salicylic acid and niacinamide in CeraVe’s:

• Renewing SA Cleanser
• Psoriasis Cleanser
• Psoriasis Moisturizing Cream

Can you use salicylic acid with hyaluronic acid?

The same goes for salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid. You’ll find both ingredients in our SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin and SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin, as well as in our Renewing SA Cleanser, SA Cream for Rough & Bumpy Skin, and Psoriasis Cleanser.

How Is Salicylic Acid Different From Lactic and Glycolic Acid?

Although salicylic, lactic, and glycolic acids are all categorized as common hydroxy acids used in skincare, there are a few key distinctions to keep in mind when considering the benefits of these chemical exfoliants. Salicylic acid is what’s known as a beta-hydroxy acid (or “BHA” for short). Alternately, glycolic acid and lactic acid fall under the category of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). All three of these ingredients work somewhat similarly as chemical exfoliants, helping to promote skin exfoliation and eliminate the buildup of dead skin cells. However, their main difference is in their solubility. Because salicylic acid is “lipid-soluble”—unlike glycolic and lactic acid—it is able to penetrate clogged pores, which is especially beneficial for those with oily or acne-prone skin.