Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) which has a keratolytic effect on the skin. This means that it promotes the softening and peeling of the epidermis. Salicylic acid works as a chemical exfoliant and astringent to slough off dead skin cells, clogged pores and excess sebum. By exfoliating the dead cells, this helps eliminate clogged pores and comedones, as well as accelerate the skin's renewal cycle to reduce pore congestion. Once salicylic acid is used to eliminate the dead skin cells, then the sebum is much less likely to become trapped under the skin and infected.

Since acne is caused by P. acnes bacteria that builds up in sebum within the pores of the skin, it is very important for acne medication to be able to deliver active ingredients deep into the pores before it becomes infected. The advantage of salicylic acid is that its small molecules can penetrate into the ssebum-clogged pores to prevent the comedone (whitehead) from progressing into an infected pimple.

Furthermore, salicylic acid is also gentle enough for most skin types. It is less irritating than many other acne medications because salicylic acid is derived from acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin. And salicylic acid, like aspirin, has anti-inflammatory properties.