Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a widely used ingredient in skincare and acne treatment products. It can be found over the counter or prescribed by a doctor, particularly for acne or other skin conditions. This compound is naturally derived from sources like white willow bark and wintergreen and is recognized for its exfoliating properties. Salicylic acid penetrates the skin effectively, making it beneficial for treating acne by unclogging pores and reducing oil buildup. It is available in various forms, including creams, gels, and cleansing pads.
In addition to acne treatment, salicylic acid is effective for other skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. As part of the beta hydroxy acid (BHA) group, it is often favored for its gentle exfoliation compared to alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). While generally regarded as safe, users are advised to monitor for irritation and follow sun protection guidelines, as excessive use can lead to skin dryness and increased sensitivity. Those with specific allergies, particularly to aspirin, should avoid products containing salicylic acid.
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Salicylic acid
A popular ingredient found in skin care, acne, and other dermatological-treatment products is salicylic acid. As a commercially available product, salicylic acid can be purchased over the counter. In certain instances, particularly in the treatment of acne or a skin condition, it may be prescribed by a doctor. As a natural product, salicylic acid is found in white willow bark and wintergreen. Salicylic acid is often used as an exfoliating system. For acne, it has the benefit of deeply penetrating the skin to perform healing. Depending on the severity of the condition, an over-the-counter product may be helpful, or a stronger form requiring prescription may be necessary. Salicylic acid as a topical treatment is available as a cloth or cleansing pad, cream, gel, liquid, ointment, shampoo, or a patch placed on the skin.
Background
Salicylic acid is commonly used in skin-care products such as facial cleansers and acne treatments. Labels on packaging may include the ingredient salicylic acid in order for the consumer to know it is present.
Cosmetic Ingredient. Salicylic acid is popular as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Dermatologists recommend moderate use of salicylic acid, and products with only a low content (0.5 to 2 percent) are best.
Anti-Acne Treatment. Salicylic acid functions as an anti-inflammatory medicinal treatment. Furthermore, it has antibacterial properties as well as being able to dry out a section of skin that has become oily or prone to acne pimples. For these reasons, salicylic acid is used to treat acne. The product may be used as a liquid applied to the skin. An acne face mask containing salicylic acid is often used as a home product to relieve and alleviate the acne condition. The mask, whether applied at home or at a regular day spa or medical spa, can create a peeling effect. A dermatologist utilizes a stronger version of the salicylic acid when applying it to the patient in the doctor’s clinic.
How It Works. Salicylic acid acts by breaking up cells that have collected and stuck together underneath the skin. Prior to using the salicylic acid, the skin becomes clogged up as a result and requires the breaking down of these cells so that the pores can reopen. The beneficial effect of salicylic acid is that its properties loosen up the clogged pores and blackheads as well as being able to minimize or reduce the oil buildup. Acne may cause a skin discoloration where pimples have occurred; the use of salicylic acid may help prevent this.
Treatment of Skin Conditions. Salicylic acid is often prescribed by dermatologists to treat skin conditions. Psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis respond well to the exfoliating quality of salicylic acid. A regular exfoliator may remove dead skin on the outer layers, but salicylic acid has the additional function of acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. The salicylic acid facilitates the shedding of the thick scaly affected skin. This is made possible by loosening keratin, a protective protein of the skin, by means of the acid’s keratolytic effect. As exfoliating products remove skin, if someone is intending to continue using regular exfoliators in combination with salicylic acid, it is essential to do so only under the supervision of a doctor.
Overview
Although salicylic acid appears in a natural form, for cosmetic or treatment purposes, it is made synthetically. Salicylic acid is a chemical compound located in plants. The beneficial qualities of salicylic acid pertain to its immune and reparative functions. This can be seen in plants, where salicylic acid acts both as an immune system by fighting invading organisms as it is released, as well as repairing plant tissues. These natural characteristics are used advantageously in skin-care treatment, though care needs to be taken to avoid excessive drying of the skin.
Beta Hydroxy Acids. Salicylic acid is one of the acids of the beta hydroxy acid group. The others are beta hydroxybutanoic acid, tropic acid, and trethocanic acid. Related named salicylic acid substances include salicylate, sodium salicylate, and willow extract. Beta hydroxy acids are abbreviated as BHA. From a chemical perspective, salicylic acid may not be considered a true BHA; however, the cosmetic industry refers to it as such.
Cosmetics. While alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) became popular as an anti-aging ingredient in cosmetic products, beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) have gained prominence in skin care. Often a combination of BHAs and AHAs are found in skin-care products. Reasons to use a BHA include the efficacy of ameliorating texture of the skin, as well as preventing or reducing the possibility of developing wrinkles. A BHA has a less harsh or irritating impact on the skin than an AHA. When using a salicylic acid cosmetic, dermatologists suggest assessing whether the application causes a stinging effect or irritation; only when there is no irritation is it advisable. Salicylic acid is the most common BHA used in the cosmetic industry.
FDA. Salicylic acid as a cosmetic ingredient has been evaluated for safety by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the cosmetic industry. The FDA reports that a 2000 Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded tentatively that salicylic acid-related substances in cosmetics are safe when formulated to avoid irritation and increased sun sensitivity, adding that when sun sensitivity would be expected, directions for use of sun protection should be included (K "http://www.fda.gov" \h www.fda.gov). The FDA and the National Toxicology Program are evaluating the long-term safety of salicylic acid in cosmetics. Studies include the effect of salicylic acid on the skin and how it responds to ultraviolet light. Given the fact that a definitive conclusion has not yet been reached, while the evaluation is ongoing, the FDA recommends special precautions being taken when using cosmetics containing either AHAs or BHAs. These safety precautions include: testing the cosmetic on a small area of skin; terminating use of the product if irritation occurs; following instructions on the label and not exceeding recommended applications; using additional sun protection; and not using products containing BHAs on infants or children. Salicylic acid has a similar ingredient component to aspirin; therefore, anyone allergic to aspirin or rosacea should avoid using any product containing salicylic acid or related substances.
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