Ingredient
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Salicylic acid (also called BHA) is an oil-soluble exfoliant that gets inside pores to dissolve the mix of dead skin and excess oil that causes blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts. It also helps calm redness and inflammation. Look for 0.5–1% if you’re starting out or have sensitive skin, and up to 2% for oilier, acne-prone skin.
Ingredient
Suitable for
Oily, acne-prone skin with clogged pores or blackheads — salicylic acid is one of the most effective ingredients for clearing congestion because it works inside the pore, not just on the surface.
Also suitable for oily Skin, acne-prone Skin, combination Skin and sensitive skin.
Ingredient
Ingredient combination
Combinations that work
- NiacinamideClearing
Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and clears the pore from the inside; niacinamide reduces the sebum feeding it and calms the surrounding redness. One clears, the other slows the refill.
- Centella AsiaticaCalming
Salicylic acid only works if you can use it consistently — centella keeps the surrounding skin calm enough for that. Apply the acid first, centella after.
Combinations to avoid
Both accelerate turnover, and salicylic acid's low pH also destabilises retinol. Together they exceed what the skin can rebuild in a night. Alternate nights, or BHA in the morning and retinol in the evening.
AHA exfoliates the surface, BHA works inside the pore — using both in one session is not more thorough, it is simply more exfoliation than the barrier can absorb. Alternate them across the week.
L-ascorbic acid and salicylic acid both need an acidic pH, and stacking them raises stinging and redness without improving either. Separate them by time of day, or choose a pH-neutral vitamin C derivative.
Routine
Routines with Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Routines featuring this ingredient are coming soon.