What it does
Because salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it can penetrate sebum and exfoliate inside the pore rather than only on the surface. That is what makes it the go-to for blackheads, closed comedones and generally congested skin, and why it outperforms surface acids for those specific problems.
It is also anti-inflammatory, which helps with the redness around active spots. Two to three uses a week is enough for most people. Daily use, stacked with a scrub and a cleansing brush, is how people arrive at a stripped, stinging barrier and conclude their skin is "sensitive".
Leave-on products at 2% do more than a cleanser at the same strength, simply because contact time matters more than concentration.
In a routine
Layers well with
- Niacinamide
- Ceramides
- Hyaluronic acid
Do not layer with
- Retinol
- Glycolic acid
- Benzoyl peroxide
Same routine is fine for some pairs — same step is the problem. Split them morning and evening when in doubt.
