Salicylic Acid Acne Treatments

If you are living with acne, you may wish to try using products that contain salicylic acid to treat it.

Salicylic acid is a compound found in plants, is widely known to be successful in combating acne, and is therefore found in many of today’s skin preparations. Salicylic acid is one of many “beta hydroxy” acids and is used to treat many skin disorders in addition to acne, including psoriasis, calluses, and warts.

You can choose from lotions, creams, gels or pads when beginning your salicylic acne treatment. Do not use more than one product containing this ingredient at a time, as using more than one can cause the skin to become overly dry, and it will not help your acne. When your skin clears up, you can switch to a wash to maintain acne-free skin.

The best defense against acne is to use the salicylic acne treatment regularly. Spot treatment does not work, because the pimple has been forming long before you apply anything to it. What you are doing by cleaning your entire face (or other affected area) is preventing acne before it starts by keeping the pores unblocked.

If your skin is excessively oily, you should use a salicylic acid product as part of your daily skin care regimen. Here are a few products containing salicylic acid: Oxy products, Noxema Anti-Acne products, Stridex products, and Dermalogica Medicated Clearing Gel.

Salicylic acid acne treatments work by causing the outer cells of the skin, or epidermis, to shed more easily, and this in turn causes pores to clog less. In addition, shedding of the skin cells causes new cell growth to occur. (Salicylic acid is also an ingredient in dandruff shampoo for this reason.)

In the case of acne scarring, Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel and similar products may help you to reduce the appearance of post-acne scars. For severe acne scarring, your dermatologist may decide to perform a chemical peel using a higher concentration of acid treatment. Peels work wonders on most acne patients, and are not very expensive. Your acne must not be active, however, for a peel to be performed.

One should be aware that salicylic acid acne treatments may cause hyperpigmentation of the skin, and especially those with darker skin should discuss this with a skincare professional prior to using salicylic acid acne treatments.