How to Use Salicylic Acid Serum in Your Skincare Routine for Clearer Skin

Salicylic acid is that powerful beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that would work wonders on your acne prone skin. Extracted from willow tree bark, this ingredient is a type of chemical exfoliant that can slough off dead skin, remove excess oil, and reduce comedonal acne such as whiteheads and blackheads. "It promotes natural shedding of the skin, by breaking down corneodesmosomes (protein and lipids that hold skin cells together). BHAs are also lipophilic and are considered to be oil-soluble, which means that they break down oil, work on the surface of the skin, as well as penetrate into the pores of the skin, thus helping unclog them", shares renowned dermatologist Dr Manasi Shirolikar. Dr Saru Singh, a renowned aesthetic physician in Delhi, adds, "For those of us with oily skin, it's nothing short of a blessing. It tames shine and regulates oil without leaving the skin feeling tight or dry. It fights acne-causing bacteria and prevents new breakouts, leaving the skin feeling smoother."