Dealing with stubborn acne? If so, and you’ve done any kind of research on the subject online, you might have seen salicylic acid products being advertised as a solution. Of course, there are a bunch of options available online, each specifically created to deal with certain types of breakouts. So, the question we’ll be answering here is – are products containing salicylic acid for blackheads and whiteheads?
What we mean by that is, are they the best option for this particular type of acne – as opposed to more severe forms like cystic acne or pustules. By reading on, you’ll get the insight you’re looking for.
So, Is Salicylic Acid for Blackheads Or Not?
If you look up salicylic acid online, you’ll see that it’s a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that actually comes from willow bark! Who knew? It’s also an exfoliating ingredient used in skincare, particularly for acne-prone and oily skin. Is salicylic acid for blackheads? Yes, it is, and that’s because it can penetrate deep into the skin to eliminate oil, dead skin cells, and other debris that blocks pores.
There’s also a range of other benefits to be had…
- It promotes cell turnover, gently exfoliating the skin’s surface and helping to slough off dead skin cells and improve skin texture.
- It reduces inflammation thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can calm irritated skin and reduce the redness and pain associated with breakouts.
This blend of deep cleaning and exfoliation means that salicylic acid is especially effective against both blackheads (a.k.a. open comedones) and whiteheads (a.k.a. closed comedones).
What Is Salicylic Acid Like at Dealing With Severe Acne?
So, what happens if you’ve not got minor acne like blackheads and whiteheads? What if you have pustules, nodules or cystic acne? How effective is salicylic acid then? Well, the truth is that while it’s great for minor acne, when the problem lies deeper, it’s not going to be as effective.
While salicylic acid products are great at unclogging pores and dealing with surface-level zits, you need something with more power, such as products that have benzoyl peroxide (BP) as the active ingredient to treat the problem adequately. BP products are able to attack the more severe types of acne which also often include bacterial overgrowth.
Other available options for moderate to severe acne include retinoids, or prescription options such as oral antibiotics or isotretinoin from your doctor.
Use Salicylic Acid for Blackheads, But Not For Cystic Acne
Salicylic acid offers a tried and trusted way to deal with blackheads, whiteheads and basically any surface acne that’s at the milder end of the spectrum. Thanks to its ability to penetrate deep into your pores and dissolve buildup, it can clear pore blockages while preventing future breakouts.
However, if you’re facing moderate to severe breakouts, you should ideally be looking for a product that can penetrate more deeply into the skin – meaning that one that contains benzoyl peroxide. Remember that BP products come in a range of different strengths, so it’s often a good idea to start low and work your way up based on how your skin reacts.
We sincerely hope that this article has provided you with some clarity on the subject, so that you’re able to find the right product for your requirements.