The glycolic acid vs salicylic acid debate is a fairly common one in skincare. Both ingredients can exfoliate your skin to achieve a clearer complexion, but each has its own specific way of doing so and lends itself better to particular skin types. Show
Do you want to smooth out your skin texture, soften fine lines and fade pigmentation? Or do you want to deep-clean pores, decongest your skin and dissolve excess oil? Your specific goals will help you make the choice between glycolic acid vs salicylic acid in your skincare routine. While both belong to the wider skincare acid group, they are more like distant cousins than twins. Glycolic acid sits within the alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) family, while salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) and that distinction makes a world of difference in terms of actions and results. Find out how these two skincare ingredients behave and their individual benefits to find out which one will help you achieve your skin goals. What are glycolic and salicylic acid?What is glycolic acid? What is salicylic acid? Glycolic acid vs salicylic acid: key differences
Put simply, glycolic acid is a more effective ingredient in the best skincare products for a smooth, fresh texture and to help shift old sun-damaged pigmentation. Salicylic acid is a powerful blemish and acne treatment and works best in a skincare routine for acne. How to use glycolic acid and salicylic acid(Image credit: Getty images) Now for the big question - how often should you exfoliate your face with these acids? In a nutshell, “they are chemical exfoliants,” says Dr Sandy Skotnicki, dermatologist and author of Beyond Soap. They are effective because they are strong, and they should be treated as such:
Who shoudn't use these ingredients?Here's where we find some common ground in the debate of glycolic acid vs salicylic acid. Both ingredients can dry out the skin, especially if you are prone to dryness or go overboard with your exfoliating acid. As well as introducing them slowly, use discretion in the other products you choose to apply alongside these treatments. For example, even the best retinol creams can cause problems when used back-to-back with acids. “Other products that deliberately dry out the skin, like retinol, should not be used with either glycolic or salicylic acid,” advises Dr. Ward. “Doing so would likely lead to irritated skin and redness.” If you don't want to have to choose between glycolic acid vs retinol, try using them on alternate nights instead. Layering multiple highly active ingredients on top of each other won’t always speed up the results. In fact, it could make your skin look and feel worse. Glycolic acid vs salicylic acid: w&h verdictAs with many skincare ingredients, weighing up glycolic acid vs salicylic acid really comes down to your skin type and desired results. While both effectively exfoliate, they do have different purposes, so use whichever one suits your needs best. If smoothing out a rough or dull complexion is your goal, along with improved collagen production for plumpness and an even skin tone, go with glycolic acid. If you want to fight excess oil, pimples and acne, salicylic acid might be the solution for you. It's also worth bearing in mind that, as long as you're cautious, you can include both salicylic and glycolic acids in your routine for the best of both worlds. Whatever you choose, use caution when pairing these ingredients with other products. If you have sensitive skin It’s never a bad idea to consult with a dermatologist before embarking on any new regimen. woman&home thanks Dr. P. Daniel Ward of Form Rx Skincare (opens in new tab) Daisy Jing of Banish (opens in new tab) and Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, dermatologist (opens in new tab) and author of Beyond Soap (opens in new tab) for their time and expertise What should you not use with salicylic acid cleanser?AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids should never be used with Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an acid, too, and is unstable, so the pH balance will be thrown off by layering these ingredients together and might as well be useless.
Can I use salicylic acid and glycolic acid face wash everyday?"If salicylic acid is an ingredient in your cleanser, it is fine to use it every day." However, if you are using an exfoliant that has salicylic acid in the formula, Dr. Hu advises only using the product three times per week, to avoid over-exfoliating the skin and drying it out.
Can I use salicylic acid in the morning and glycolic acid at night?Having two different cleansers for morning and night sounds unnecessary, but Jaliman says it's good to mix it up. “You can use a salicylic acid–based cleanser in the morning to unclog pores and avoid acne and a glycolic acid–based cleanser at night to exfoliate your skin and get rid of dead skin cells,” notes Jailman.
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