Within the over-the-counter battle against breakouts, there are a couple of key ingredients it’s best to find out about, and salicylic acid is at the highest of that list. Simply speaking, salicylic acid is one in every of pimples’s biggest enemies. You reach for a spot treatment throughout the second you see a zit invading your face. You slather it on a blemish overnight and you would possibly get up within the morning with a pimple that’s dried up and far less noticeable. But, what does salicylic acid do for the skin, and what are the perfect ways to reap its advantages?

To seek out out, we consulted board-certified dermatologists to assist break down exactly how salicylic acid works on the skin, who should (and should not) use it, and why it is a cornerstone ingredient within the battle against breakouts.

• Ron Robinson is a Recent York City-based cosmetic chemist and founding father of Beautystat skin-care brand.
• Randy Schueller is a cosmetic chemist and creator based in Illinois.
• Sejal ShahMD, is a Recent York City-based board-certified dermatologist.
• Naissan O. WesleyMD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles.
• Rachel NazarianMD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Recent York City.
• Sue Ann Wee, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Recent York City.
• Seemal DesaiMD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Texas.

• What’s salicylic acid?
• What does salicylic acid do for the skin?
• Can salicylic acid damage skin?
• Can you employ salicylic acid on a regular basis?
• What are the perfect salicylic acid skin-care products to make use of for pimples?
• Can you employ salicylic acid with vitamin C?
• Bonus: Salicylic acid may help with dandruff

Salicylic acid is derived from willow bark, says cosmetic chemist Ron Robinsonand it belongs to a category of ingredients called salicylates. It’s structure is just a little complicated, but understanding it is vital to learning why (and the way) it really works so well.

Relating to skin-care products, there are two classes of acids you will see often: beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). “Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid,” says cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller. “[This] means the hydroxy a part of the molecule is separated from the acid part by two carbon atoms, versus an alpha hydroxy acid where they’re separated by one carbon atom.”