Salicylic acid is considered a magic ingredient for acne solutions. Whether it’s your dermatologist or the trusted beauty guru on Instagram, the benefits of this supercharged ingredient has been proven already. But, like other active ingredients, salicylic acid is good for multiple things other than getting rid of acne.

 

01. It gets rid of acne scars

It gets rid of acne scars

Apart from banishing acne, salicylic acid can also get rid of acne scars and blemishes. It does so by breaking up old skin cells and promoting cell regeneration. When used in post-acne skincare, this powerhouse of an ingredient can clear any traces of acne from your face. However, make sure to consult your dermatologist before committing to long term use of the same.

 

02. It clears up whiteheads and blackheads

It clears up whiteheads and blackheads

Salicylic acid is an oil-soluble ingredient and is capable of penetrating deep into your skin. So deep that it can actually dissolve the ‘glue’ that holds skin cells together. That is what makes them perfect to keep whiteheads and blackheads at bay. They can dissolve debris that clogs the pores and work as an anti-inflammatory to calm the bumps left behind by stubborn blackheads.

 

03. It deeply exfoliates your skin

It deeply exfoliates your skin

There is a reason why your dermat might ask you to discontinue externals exfoliates like scrubs and peel-off masks while on acne treatment. Given its supreme exfoliation powers, salicylic acid is also used in keratolytic medications. It works on softening and sloughing off the top layer of dead skin cells.

So, if you suffer from dull skin that is too sensitive for an external scrub, a salicylic acid-infused face wash can be your perfect alternative. As mentioned above, make sure you pick the right formulation, as overuse of salicylic acid can cause irritation and redness in the skin.

Did you know: Salicylic acid can also be used to treat dandruff and flaky scalp. This BHA (beta hydroxy acid) can help treat seborrheic dermatitis — an extreme form of dandruff caused by lack of self-sloughing of dead skin cells on your scalp.