For more than a dozen years, young people have been constantly fighting against acne. New masks, lotions, creams and ointments are invented. But no matter how hard the cosmetologists tried, the best cure for hated pimples was invented more than half a century ago, and this is salicylic acid.
For the face, it can be used both in pure form or mixed with a number of other cosmetic products in order to prevent skin overdrying. Together with glycolic acid, it works as a peeling, eliminating not only acne, but also from their precursors - comedones. She is also able to fight hyperpigmentation, increasing the skin's ability to regenerate and significantly reducing the time to get rid of acne.
Salicylic acid is not advertised on television, there are no posters with it in pharmacies or beauty parlors, but meanwhile, knowledge about it is passed down from generation to generation and has been successfully used in folk medicine for decades. It costs, in comparison with popular anti-acne agents, just a penny, and it acts no less efficiently.
A number of organic acids include salicylic acid. It was first extracted from willow branches, and then began to be produced using chemical methods. In a pharmacy, this antibacterial is sold over the counter. Moreover, there is a fairly wide selection of solutions of various concentrations: from 0.8% to 5%. To get rid of acne and pimples, two percent salicylic acid is used.
The formula of this solution has a soft but powerful effect, quickly dries up acne, eliminates black spots, inflammation, brightens pimples and age spots. There are several ways to apply it. It’s easiest to do this - early in the morning and before bedtime, be sure to apply pre-thoroughly cleansed skin, apply acid with a cotton pad with gentle movements. Twenty minutes after this procedure, you need to moisturize your face with any of the available nourishing creams.
Salicylic acid can be used no more than once or twice a week as a good cleansing peeling or in the form of several products. The main thing here is to pay close attention to the composition of gels or lotions. They should have a complex of emollients, such as essential oils or herbal extracts.
Skeptics claim that salicylic acid can cause allergic reactions or even burns. This myth should be dispelled and it should be noted that this drug has no more contraindications than any other similar drug. Naturally, its use requires additional moisture, as it is an acid, and sometimes alcohol is included in the composition. Itchy skin and dryness are the most serious consequences that salicylic acid can cause. When used for particularly delicate skin, a preliminary sensitivity test will be required. Take a cotton swab, carefully moisten it in a solution and pass it behind your ear. If after four to five hours no signs of irritation are detected at the site of application, the drug can be used without fear.
It should be borne in mind that the product should be used only on intact skin. Severe abrasions, cuts or scratches can cause severe inflammation and even a chemical burn.
The most common form offered in pharmacies is an alcohol solution. It has a good therapeutic effect, but somewhat dries the skin. Also, salicylic acid can be sold in the form of powders, which is not very convenient, ointments or pastes. They contain petroleum jelly or similar substances that clog pores. The best solution is to choose a lotion with emollients in the composition. It practically does not have side effects, does not dry the skin and perfectly relieves acne.