Everything you need to know about Salicylic Acid

With so many acid products on the market today, it can be tricky to know which is the best one for you, so here’s everything you need to know about salicylic acid to help you decide if this is the one for you! How does salicylic acid work? Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid, unlike other popular acids like glycolic and lactic acids, which are alpha-hydroxy acids. The main difference between these two types of acid is that BHAs are capable of breaking down oil. AHAs work on the surface of the skin but they cannot penetrate deeply because they are stopped by sebum. This doesn’t get in salicylic acid’s way though; it penetrates the skin and gets to work. Once in the skin, salicylic breaks down the glue that holds skin cells together, and causes deep exfoliation of the top layers of the skin, to unclog pores and leave the skin extremely clean. Salicylic acid is so effective that it can even dissolve pore blockages. Who is it for? The powerful oil dissolving qualities of salicylic acid makes it ideal for anyone with blocked pores, frequent breakouts or acne. You’ll find salicylic acid in toners, serums, moisturisers and masks formulated for spot-prone skin. Spots are caused by blocked pores becoming infected by bacteria, so by dissolving the oil and dead skin that is trapped in the pore, salicylic acid removes the cause. Tips and tricks for Salicylic Acid Salicylic acid is a very powerful exfoliator, so tread carefully. Don’t…

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With so many acid products on the market today, it can be tricky to know which is the best one for you, so here’s everything you need to know about salicylic acid to help you decide if this is the one for you!

How does salicylic acid work?

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid, unlike other popular acids like glycolic and lactic acids, which are alpha-hydroxy acids. The main difference between these two types of acid is that BHAs are capable of breaking down oil. AHAs work on the surface of the skin but they cannot penetrate deeply because they are stopped by sebum. This doesn’t get in salicylic acid’s way though; it penetrates the skin and gets to work. Once in the skin, salicylic breaks down the glue that holds skin cells together, and causes deep exfoliation of the top layers of the skin, to unclog pores and leave the skin extremely clean. Salicylic acid is so effective that it can even dissolve pore blockages.

Who is it for?

The powerful oil dissolving qualities of salicylic acid makes it ideal for anyone with blocked pores, frequent breakouts or acne. You’ll find salicylic acid in toners, serums, moisturisers and masks formulated for spot-prone skin. Spots are caused by blocked pores becoming infected by bacteria, so by dissolving the oil and dead skin that is trapped in the pore, salicylic acid removes the cause.

Tips and tricks for Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a very powerful exfoliator, so tread carefully. Don’t pick a strong product right away and expect it to work faster than a weaker product because you risk redness, excessive peeling and irritation. Start out gently and let your skin build up to stronger products!

Remember that hydration is important when you’re using a chemical exfoliator. Make sure you drink plenty of water and use skincare products that contain hyaluronic acid to prevent your skin from becoming dehydrated.

If you’re suffering from hormonal breakouts you might find that an occasional product like a mask is the best choice, while if you’re struggling with acne or chronically spotty skin, you might want to look at using a moisturiser or serum with this magical, spot-clearing ingredient.

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Intense Pulsed Light, Unwanted Hair

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Client Testimonial: “Jodie is extremely professional and knowledgeable throughout the IPL treatment sessions. She explains the process and what to expect so that you are put at ease from the first consultation. During my IPL sessions, Jodie marked up the areas and avoided any moles or damaged skin, then preps using the cooler handle before a light shot. The light shot itself really doesn’t hurt, it’s done in seconds. The fact the skin is cooled first makes this an easy process to tolerate. I genuinely didn’t feel in pain at all and Jodie applied a lovely aloe balm to soothe the skin straight away. If anything I felt my appointments were more of a therapy as I knew I would be hair free come my holiday. After each session I came away feeling the progress getting better and better and by week 5 there was hardly any hair growth. I didn’t feel the need to shave anymore. I felt more confident and there is much less maintenance at home now which means I have more time for other things. I would highly recommend IPL hair removal by SkinBase and with Jodie as she made me feel at ease from the moment I asked about it and the difference it makes is life changing for someone who wasn’t so confident in her skin. I can’t wait for Summer and my holiday. Thanks Jodie & SkinBase.”