How to treat skin irritation from salicylic acid?

Salicylic acid is widely known for its powerful ability to treat acne and improve skin texture. It’s one of those ingredients that promise smooth, clear skin with regular use. However, just like any love affair, things can turn sour when you least expect it. Before you know it, your once-glowing and blemish-free visage could be overtaken by redness, peeling skin or worse – what gives?

If irritation from salicylic acid sounds all too familiar, don’t fret! In this article, we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of how to prevent and treat any fallout from using products containing this ingredient.

Aller-what?

The first thing on our list has got nothing to do with skincare at all – but hear us out! Did you know that allergies could trigger a reaction with salicylic acid? Now obviously we are not talking about stuffy noses or watery eyes in this instance.

However, if you have had an allergic reaction (yes even years ago) to aspirin or similar medications containing salicylates then there’s a chance your immune system freaks out every time it recognises contact with the same irritant again: enter – irritated skin!

Make sure to always wear gloves (preferably some stylish ones) during facials/skin care procedures because exposure without protection can really constitute contact dermatitis- ouch!

A quick patch test on an inconspicuous area such as behind the ears might also save a lot of trouble down the line.

Time Is On Your Side…Not

After multiple naps while contemplating various facial combos at Sephora…it’s finally happening: drying lotion + ten thousand other skincare products which effect almost immediate change!? Score!!

Hold up cowboy/girl/whatever pronoun feels right today: Please note that these ingredients have got hard-core chemical components which might need a bit more time to either blend in or stabilize. Using products with top-tier percentages of salicylic acid and then layering makeup right after could likely lead to skin irritation.

What’s our tip? Rather use skincare that contains salicylic acid, like serums – only at night followed by moisturizer. That way you give the ingredient ample time to work while protecting your pH balance from further disruption.

Sunscreen Please! Don’t Make Us Say It Again…

It’s no secret that, as much as we love it for its ability to clear pores, the use of Salicylic Acid leaves us vulnerable to UV rays exposure which can perceptibly compromise our skin integrity (can we say 👵like 10 years too early!) A quick fix is applying sunscreen afterwards during daytime hours- both physical and chemical sunscreens protect while leaving a healthy cast mineral protection shield.

Skip The Abrasive Scrubs

Getting rid of those pesky blackheads using gritty scrubs may just be doing more harm than good especially if you’re already experiencing inflammation or peeling due to product overuse/over-exfoliation/microtears/nada-nada. Try switching up your routine: tones and gentle milk sweepers cleanse without creating tears on irritated areas.

Think honey masks or even an oatmeal wash – these methods are gentle enough and they are normally administered alongside real food so snacking isn’t off limits!

Moisturizing for MVP

Repeat after me; “Do not skip Moisturizing!” Irritation caused by Salicylic Acid is usually worsened when moisture levels in the skin drop drastically post-use bringing flakiness and dryness with them sadface

Luckily this problem has a simple solution: MOISTURIZE! Look for hydrating creams packed with nourishing oils– Jojoba oil anyone?– preferably fragrance-free and free from other potential irritants.

Aloe, My Hero

Stop it right there! Don’t think you’re going to have your dance party just yet without music. Is dryness and irritated skin something that we signed up for? Absolutely not – no one wants these bad boys lurking around!

Our solution: bring on the aloe vera powerhouse! As an ingredient in numerous skincare products, (like cooling gels swoon) it’s known to soothe and calm down irritation leaving behind hydration sans extra residue or stickiness.

Attention though; If you discover that unholy feeling of hives whilst using a product containing salicylic acid discontinue use immediately! Seriously why do they even put this stuff in here… SMH 🤦‍♀️

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