How to use Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C
In the world of skincare there are so many ingredients that we can incorporate into our routines at different times of the day and to target various skin concerns. Some ingredients work well together and others don’t and actually knowing both sides of this is important.
If you’re looking to even out your skin tone and fight blemishes then look no further than Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C - two stars of the skincare world. As always, patch any new skincare product on your forearm and see how your skin reacts. Particularly abrasive ingredients, like acids.
To understand how to mix Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C, we have to understand what they do for our skin, so here is the 411:
What are the benefits of Salicylic Acid?
If you have a spot, Salicylic Acid is your bestie. Salicylic Acid is a Beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) and is more oil-soluble and it has the ability to get deeper into our skin and pores - yes please. As it has this ability to penetrate deep into the skin, it’s why a lot of people use it for acne concerns, especially concerns such as blackheads.
Key benefits
It is an exfoliant and reduces the production of oil
Reduces pore size
Works very well on blackheads and whiteheads
Helps dry out and reduce inflammation on red pimples
It can help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation
Alexa Tip 💡
As salicylic acid is an exfoliant, it has the potential to irritate the skin, start slow and gradually your skin will build its tolerance.
What are the benefits of Vitamin C?
We all know how good it is for us to incorporate Vitamin C into our diets but it is also such a great antioxidant to include in our skincare routine. It is known for maintaining the skin’s overall appearance and the ability to brighten our skin too.
Key benefits
Protects the skin from sun damage
Helps even out skin tone and improve the appearance of acne scars, hyperpigmentation and discoloration.
Boots collagen production
Helps reduce the effects of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles
It offers protection against damaging free radicals
Alexa Tip 💡
Vitamin C is best in a serum because serums can offer higher concentrations of active Vitamin C.
How to use Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C together?
Both Salicylic Acid and Vitamin C can provide our skin with huge benefits and target a lot of skin concerns that many of us may have. However it is important to understand and know how to use them in the correct way in order to obtain the amazing results they can provide! Here are a two ways how you can use them in your skincare routines:
Use them at different times of the day
Vitamin C is most beneficial in the morning, as it can also provide its sun protective benefit.
Salicylic Acid can be used in the evenings, as it works to eliminate dead skin cells.
Use them on different days
This method works if you are looking to take it really slow
Every other day or every few days, allowing your skin to build it’s tolerance to eventually use both everyday
In summary
I always use them separately and have enjoyed seeing the benefits that both ingredients provide. One of the reasons this method works the best is because Vitamin C brightens the skin as it is known for its unstable structure. So then if you combine this with an exfoliant it can actually reduce its strong qualities - that defeats the object right?
Both ingredients are not ones you will regret incorporating into your skincare routine, even on a daily basis if your skin tolerates an exfoliant well. They both have the ability to treat hyperpigmentation but when it comes to targeting a skin concern such as the process of aging - Vitamin C just might win. When it comes to fighting off acne or if you have oily skin, Salicylic acid should be the product you grab off the shelf.
Both ingredients can cause sensitivity if they are in higher concentrations and as mentioned already you can start off slow to minimize the risk of irritation. Once you’ve done that (and patch tested your skin beforehand) there is no reason you cannot use both ingredients everyday, in my personal preferred method of at different times of the day and your skin will love the benefits.
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