Skincare star ingredient Salicylic Acid helps fight off Acne🔥

Apr 07, 2022 / By. Crystal Nguonly

# Acne # Acne treatment # Salicylic acid

What is acne?
Acne is a common skin condition when hair follicles under the skin become clogged with dirt, oil or dead skin cells, which then leaves them irritated and inflamed. In other words, they become zits or pimples! Acne can affect people of all ages, no one is safe.
Fortunately, acne treatment has continued to improve and innovate over the years and there is a product for just about every type of acne related issue you can think of. Acne breakouts, hormonal breakouts, clogged pores, white heads, black heads, acne scars, redness and inflammation…you name it…there is a product for you.

One very popular acne treatment ingredient found in many skin care products is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a form of beta hydroxy acid (BHA), derived from willow bark. Salicylic acid works by penetrating into the deeper lipid layer of the skin, gently exfoliating it and removing the dead skin cells that are clogging your pores. That sounds like a lot of work for one tiny ingredient! It may be small, but it's definitely mighty! This ingredient is found in many topical creams, gels and even in cleansers.

Let’s take a look at a popular acne treatment : Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel. A salicylic acid acne medication gel, this product retails at $28 for 1 fl.oz. This fast-drying gel formula is a prescription strength salicylic acid treatment to help clear acne blemishes and prevent new breakouts from appearing. Other key ingredients include laminaria extract, which helps prevent oil buildup in the skin; witch hazel, which helps tighten pores; and benzalkonium chloride, which helps keep the skin balanced. Our Glowish influencer Serena Hinojosa is eager to give this miracle gel a go and gives us her honest review.

Serena’s biggest skin concern is her hormonal acne that covers the lower half of her face including the chin and jawline area. She also suffers from a bit of redness due to her acne breakouts. Currently she is not using any active ingredients to treat the acne and sticks to a simple skincare routine with the Cetaphil Daily Cleaners and the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. Upon first initial application, she immediately notices the intense fragrance of the gel and is a little concerned, as most products with that type of smell end up irritating her acne even more.

“I’m not going to lie, it kind of smells like nail polish remover.”

- Serena Hinojosa

By the end of her two-week trial and using the product twice a day as recommended, she does not see any noticeable difference in her skin. In fact, even more blemishes popped up throughout the weeks. She had high hopes for the product but decided to rate it a 1/5 stars because she saw no results and notes that for the price point and the amount of product you get, it isn’t worth it.

“Unfortunately, overall, it hasn’t really done much to prevent new breakouts from popping up…as far as my old breakouts, I don’t think it really doesn’t much to reduce the look of them.”

We know everyone’s skin and skin concerns are different. Though the Clinque Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel may have been a miss for this influencer, we have compiled a list of some coin saving alternatives for the rest of you skin care lovers out there who might be suffering from acne as well.

First up, the CeraVe Salicylic Acid Acne Control Gel. It retails at $19.99 for 1.35 fl.oz. and contains 2% salicylic acid, AHA’s, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and three different essential ceramides. All these ingredients work together to help unclog pores, prevent future breakouts and maintain a healthy skin barrier.

Next is The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution. It retails at $5.90 for 1 fl.oz. Like many of The Ordinary skin care products, it’s simple and straight to the point.

And last but certainly not least, The INKEY List Beta Hydroxy Acid Blemish and Blackhead Serum. It retails at $11.99 for 1 fl.oz and features 2% salicylic acid for gentle exfoliation of clogged pores, a 1% zinc compound for oil control and 1% hyaluronic acid to keep the skin hydrated.

There you have it! Of course, these are just a few of many products in the acne section of an enormous skin care library.

Have you tried the Clinque Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel? Or will you be turning to these budget friendly alternatives?

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