When it comes to breakouts and blackheads, there are a few key spot-busting ingredients you need to have in your skincare arsenal. Salicylic acid is top of the list. This game-changing ingredient is renowned among dermatologists and beauty experts for its ability to calm and heal existing blemishes, and to prevent new ones from forming. So renowned, in fact, that it’s often called acne’s biggest enemy. Here’s what you need to understand about this powerhouse ingredient.

What is salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (commonly referred to as BHA) and it belongs to a class of ingredients known as salicylates. Extracted from the bark of willow trees, salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means that it can penetrate the skin’s sebum to get deep into the pores. Oil-soluble ingredients can penetrate the skin at a deeper level than water-soluble ingredients, allowing them to unclog pores and dissolve debris. 

How does salicylic acid benefit the skin?

Salicylic acid’s ability to penetrate deep into the skin to do its job is the characteristic that makes it such an effective treatment for acne, breakouts and blackheads. It dissolves the debris that clogs pores, ridding them of the dead skin cells and oil that leads to white-and blackheads. 

It is also an effective exfoliator. Considered a keratolytic medication (agents that soften the skin’s keratin, and loosen and assist exfoliation of skin cells), it offers supreme exfoliation by removing dry and dead skin cells from the top layer of skin cells. 

Salicylic also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help calm and heal existing breakouts. 

How do you know if salicylic acid is right for you?

The most common causes of breakouts and blackheads are excessive oiliness, a build-up of dry and dead skin cells and the presence of P. acnes bacteria, the leading cause of cystic acne. Because salicylic acid has the ability to dissolve the types of skin debris that lead to clogged pores and breakouts, is it highly effective in fighting whiteheads and blackheads. Because of its anti-bacterial properties, it may have some effectiveness against cystic acne, but less so than with blackheads and whiteheads. If you are struggling with cystic acne, it is best to consult your medical practitioner for advice, as underlying health conditions and hormonal irregularities may also contribute to the problem. 

Is salicylic acid dangerous?

Salicylic acid is not harmful or dangerous but it needs to be used correctly to ensure it does not irritate the skin. If you over-use it, or if your skin is very sensitive, it could lead to dryness or irritability. If you’ve never used it before, you may experience a slight tingling sensation upon application. It’s best to ease salicylic acid into your skincare regime, so start by using it a couple of times a week and slowly work your way up to every day. The concentration of salicylic acid in over-the-counter skincare products is low (think around 1 – 2%), so it is usually very well tolerated. 

Which salicylic range is best for me?

Creightons Skincare’s Salicylic Acid range offers safe and effective salicylic acid skincare products that help fight breakouts while nourishing the skin, at affordable prices. The range consists of:

Creightons Salicylic Acid Foaming Clay Cleanser (R75.95)

This cleanser combines kaolin clay with salicylic and lactic acids to help absorb excess oil and maintain healthier, clearer looking skin every day.

Creightons Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Tonic (R99.95)

Maintain a healthier, clearer-looking complexion with this spot-busting tonic, which contains active ingredients suitable for blemish-prone skin. Salicylic acid and niacinamide are two key ingredients that will help to improve an uneven skin tone and texture, leaving skin brighter and healthier.

Creightons Salicylic Acid 2% Salicylic Intense Serum (R104.95)

Formulated with 2% salicylic acid, this serum helps reduce the appearance of blackheads, blemishes and enlarged pores for a clearer, more radiant complexion.

Creightons Salicylic Acid Soothing Lotion (R69.95)

This lightweight, moisturising lotion soothes and cares for angry, blemish-prone skin without clogging pores or feeling too heavy on the skin. 

Creightons skincare products are available at Dis-Chem pharmacies.