Kumari R, Jaisankar TJ, Thappa DM. A Clinical Study of Skin Changes in Pregnancy. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2007;73(2):141. DOI: 10.4103/0378-6323.31910. For sensitive-skin types, gentle chemical exfoliants that include PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) are ideal. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is also an excellent soothing ingredient for all skin types, but especially for sensitive skin. Colloidal oatmeal, chamomile extract, and shea butter make excellent additions to physical scrubs meant for sensitive skin, as they calm the skin and replenish it with plenty of moisture. As a seasoned health writer, Alena Hall understands how important it is to know exactly what you’re getting in a wellness product. Over the years, she has reviewed dozens of products, from athletic recovery aids to homeopathic essential oils to ever-trendy CBD topicals, to help readers like you discover products that can help you live your best life. No, not really, this is because the way salicylic acid works is as an exfoliant itself. As I have mentioned already, it is an ingredient that is readily found in all manner of skincare products, from face wash to serums. This results in the acid being used during your skincare routine daily providing regular exfoliation. If you find yourself using a product enriched in salicylic acid, as well as another exfoliating product, you could cause the skin to erupt into severe irritation and reaction. If you are wanting to continue using your salicylic acid product as well as a physical exfoliant, such as a scrub. To benefit from these products, I would suggest alternating when you use each product. For example, using an face wash containing salicylic acid during your morning routine, followed by a physical scrub in during your evening routine. Can I use a salicylic acid cleanser and exfoliator?

Fabbrocini G, De Vita V, Marasca C, Palmisano F, Monfrecola G. Salicylic acid for the treatment of melasma: new acquisitions for monitoring the clinical improvement. Skin Res Technol. 2013;19(4):466-73. doi:10.1111/srt.12070 As it’s oil-soluble, salicylic acid can penetrate down into pores and dissolve excess sebum and debris, making it ideal for oily and acne-prone skin,’ explains Dr Zamani. It also regulates oil production.’ Two percent is a safe and effective concentration for normal, oily, and acne-prone skin types. If you have dry or sensitive skin, opt for a less intense cleanser with 0.5% to 1% salicylic acid. Yes, it certainly is, just like other chemical exfoliants, such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and malic acid for example. Salicylic acid provides exfoliation to the skin without the use of physical face scrubs, some of which often contain fragments of nut shells, pumice, and other abrasive particles. Retinoids and waxing are both forms of exfoliation. For regular retinol users— who generally have fewer dead skin cells on their skin — lip, eyebrow, or any facial waxing can strip away part of the epidermis, resulting in abrasion. Hold off on waxing in your first few weeks of using retinols. Retinoids "can contribute to increased skin fragility," says dermatologist Craig Kraffert, who stresses that if you do expose skin to both retinoids and waxing, use caution — though he advises patients to stop prescription retinoid treatments for one week before waxing. Wu also asks her patients to avoid retinoids until redness has subsided. 4. Exfoliate Gently the Night Before

Koster MI. Making an epidermis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2009;1170:7. Published July 2009. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04363.x. There is a vast number of different exfoliators that can work on any type of skin. The following section help identify which products suit your skin type. Up your SPF levels immediately after waxing, since recently stripped skin is especially vulnerable to sunburn. Slather on at least SPF 50 before hitting the beach—we love Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70 and L'Oréal Paris Sublime Sun Sheer Protect Sunscreen Oil SPF 50+. 10. Repeat To achieve an even clearer complexion, swap the cleanser for a Salicylic Acid scrub in 2-3 of your daily nighttime routines. The NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Anti-Blemish Scrub can unclog pores and refine the skin without drying it out, so it’s ideal for oily skin types. As with the cleanser, simply massage the scrub onto a wet face and gently rinse away.

González-Molina V, Martí-Pineda A, González N. Topical treatments for melasma and their mechanism of action. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2022;15(5):19-28.There's even salicylic acid in body lotion. "Salicylic acid lotion is good for removing dead skin on the body or bumpy skin (keratosis pilaris) or for softening elbows and knees," says Dr. Rabach. Salicylic Acid is an active skincare ingredient that exfoliates skin, controls excess sebum (oil) production, and keeps pores clear. It’s great for blemish prone skin and can refine and refresh skin in as little as 7 days with daily use. No, avoid using a salicylic acid cleanser and exfoliator as this can cause extreme irritation and dryness. As I have already said, if you are wanting to use both in your skincare routine the most effective way to do so is to alternate when you use each product.

Arif T. Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:455-461. doi:10.2147/CCID.S84765 Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates dead skin cells on the skin's surface and decreases oil and sebum, says board-certified dermatologist Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD, FAAD, owner of Vibrant Dermatology and SkinBar MD. In addition to being an exfoliant, it also works as a comedolytic and anti-inflammatory ingredient. You will also find that salicylic acid has a small molecular size that is oil soluble, this results in the acid having the ability to penetrate the lower layers of the skin. When reaching the pores, salicylic acid can provide deep exfoliation working in areas of the skin face scrubs are unable to reach. What kind of exfoliator should I use? Follow cleansing by gently applying a Salicylic Acid toner. The NIVEA Derma Skin Toner is a fantastic option as it will rebalance the skin’s pH level and remove any excess oil, make-up or dirt without further clogging the pores. This will also prepare your skin for moisturisation.Anyone can use salicylic acid, but it’s especially useful for people with oily or acne-prone skin. Here’s what it can do: Now there are tons of body scrubs out there, so we spoke to Dr. Elbuluk and looked to our dermatologist guidelines from our annual Healthy Beauty Awards to find a stellar selection of scrubs that are both safe and efficacious. What to look for in a body scrub Zasada M, Budzisz E. Retinoids: Active Molecules Influencing Skin Structure Formation in Cosmetic and Dermatological Treatments. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii. 2019;36(4):392. Published August 2019. doi: 10.5114/ada.2019.87443.

Combat waxing-induced redness by holding a paper towel soaked in a mixture of half skim milk and half cold water on skin for ten minutes and repeating every few hours. The milk's lactic acid helps calm skin. You can also treat the area with a moisturizing salve (try Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment), a natural gentle gel (like one of pure aloe vera), or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. 8. Fend Off Ingrowns Salicylic acid can easily throw off your skin’s hydration balance, resulting in dryness, redness, and irritation, and other uncomfortable side effects. That’s why some face wash formulas include ingredients like soothing botanicals, hyaluronic acid, and ceramide moisturizers. Look for products that include one of these elements when you can. The beauty of salicylic acid is the fact it is found in an array of formulas containing various percentages, from over-the-counter products to prescriptive. This not only makes the BHA easily found, but you can also find the best product to suit your skin. Salicylic acid is notorious for wreaking havoc on dry and sensitive skin, so for those skin types, opting for a face wash or toner formula will be the most effective as the percentage of the acid is usually lower than that found in a serum. If you're new to the hero ingredient, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Howard Sobel says to use it in small amounts at first. "Use will vary between products, but it is important to start out using salicylic acid once every few days to make sure there is not an allergic reaction," he explains. "After that, the product can be used up to two times per day depending on the tolerance of your skin." Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Safety of Skin Care Products During Pregnancy. Canadian Family Physician. 2011;57(6):665. Published June 2011.

Start by washing your face with a gentle but effective Salicylic Acid cleanser, such as the NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Wash Gel. This will remove any makeup and impurities while deeply cleansing the pores to prevent blemishes from reappearing. Gently massage it onto a wet face, being careful to avoid the sensitive eye area, then rinse it off.