Suffer from acne? Have difficulty balancing your oily skin? Salicylic acid may help you keep your skin under control. Salicylic acid is an ingredient used in many skin care products. Exfoliators, facial masks and creams quite often contain this acid. It is derived from the bark of the willow tree, and with some chemical magic, the extract is created with the use of antioxidant chemicals that are safe for our skin, provided that they are used correctly.
Did you know that salicylic acid is the main ingredient in aspirin? It acts as a pain reliever topically and orally! There are so many ways to use this amazingly beneficial product. The following are a few of the ways to capture the beauty benefits of salicylic acid.
Beauty Benefits of Salicylic Acid
Anti-Inflammatory
As mentioned before, aspirin contains salicylic acid. Therefore it makes sense that it can reduce discomfort. The acid can lessen the swelling and pain caused by rashes and pimples.
Anti-Acne
The acid aids in clearing and de-clogging your pores. It helps to heal your pimples quickly by increasing blood circulation in the area. Salicylic acid is in fact gentler on the skin for this purpose, rather than using some other acne treatment that can be harsh on the skin.
Reduces Oily Skin
Salicylic acid breaks down the oil in the pores, therefore tightening the skin and reducing pore size. This in turn gives the skin a smoother appearance.
Blackheads
The acid acts as an exfoliator and aids in the removal of dry cells to make way for new cells to form. It removes dirt and grime (i.e. blackheads) from the skin, promoting a clear, glowing surface. To create a blackhead removal treatment, mash up a few aspirin tablets and mix with warm water. Massage the paste onto your blackheads and remove after letting it sit after 7 minutes. You may have to scrape it off with a spoon, so be careful!
Anti- Dandruff
There are many anti-dandruff shampoos that contain salicylic acid due to its anti-fungal, bacteria fighting ability. It is highly effective in the treatment of psoriasis and other various scalp conditions.
Precautions Towards Salicylic Acid
Although there are a multitude of beauty benefits of salicylic acid, there are some precautions to take with its use. If used incorrectly, your skin may become unnecessarily dry. Regular or over use of this acid may discolour or darken your skin, so be sure to use sunscreen. And above all, if you have any questions or concerns about using salicylic acid, it is always best to consult your doctor.
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Til next time,
Phyllis