I heard that salicylclic acid is present in many facial soaps and is actally harmful to the skin in the long run. What is salicylcic acid, and what is its role in skincare products?
2007-01-10 03:39:16 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Other - Skin & Body
Salicylic acid is the key additive in many skin-care products for the treatment of acne, psoriasis, callouses, corns, keratosis pilaris and warts. It treats acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up. This effect on skin cells also makes salicylic acid an active ingredient in several shampoos meant to treat dandruff. Use of straight salicylic solution may cause hyperpigmentation on unpretreated skin for those with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), as well as with the lack of use of a broad spectrum sunblock.
Salicylic acid is also used as an active ingredient in gels which remove verrucas.
The medicinal properties of salicylate (mainly for fever relief) have been known since ancient times. The substance occurs in the bark of willow trees; the name salicylic acid is derived from salix, the Latin name for the willow tree. [3]
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
Cotton pads soaked in salicylic acid can be used to chemically exfoliate skinAspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA) can be prepared by the esterification of the phenolic hydroxyl group of salicylic acid.
Subsalicylate in combination with bismuth form the popular stomach relief aid known commonly as Pepto-Bismol. When combined, the two key ingredients help control diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and gas. It is also a very mild anti-biotic.
Toxicological effects of 100% salicylic acid, however, are mostly harmful. It is harmful by ingestion, inhalation, and through skin absorption. It acts as an irritant, and chronic effects have shown 100% salicylic acid to cause DNA damage, and also cause allergic reactions after repeated exposure. This is why most acne treatment medications use a percent range of 2-5 in solution.
2007-01-10 03:44:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Salicylic acid is an exfoliant, used to restore the skin by slightly irritating it, causing cells fo slough off and new skin to grow.
It is used as an alternative to alpha hydroxy acids used in Retin-A, Renova and similar products.
While it can irritate the skin it is not harmful and the irritation is usually temporary.
Soothing skin creams like Avon's Clinical Line and Wrinkle Remover and Clinical Serum or botonicals like Arbonne Skin Care can be used with it to soothe the irritation and help the skin regeneration process.
You can also use a copper peptide product like Neutrogena's Visibly Firm which has healing and skin regrowth properties.
2007-01-10 05:00:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salicylic acid is closely related to aspirin, and was originally extracted from willow (Latin name: salix).
It is a very intriguing organic compound with many uses - as a painkiller most famously, but it's also good for growing plants. As used in facial soaps, it helps in the removal of dead skin, preventing spots.
2007-01-10 03:51:16 · answer #3 · answered by gvih2g2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Salicylic acid speeds up cell renewal but it makes skin very dry if used long-term or if you are a certain skin type. I use it in a cleanser and always moisturise well afterwards otherwise my skin is so tight it feels like it will crack. But, it does work at keeping my skin pretty clear.
2007-01-10 03:51:54 · answer #4 · answered by Katya-Zelen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi i dont know what the role in beauty products is , but i knbow that salicycilc acid is used for warts and varrucas, no wonder soap burns my skin. Thats it i aint using soap anymore.
I use Lush stuff so i dont think they use chemicals in there soaps.
2007-01-10 06:37:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My skin went sooooo dry after using a Neutrogena acne cleanser with salicyclic acid in it, and my skin isn't even normally dry or anything. However, I do use a benzoyl peroxide cream and it works well.
2016-05-23 04:18:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is in acne medications and soaps but is healthy for the skin i use a mask with it in it 2 a week it has helped my skin.just dont use it to often it will try the skin out.another thing to cleanse with is witch hazel it is great for skin
2007-01-10 05:25:49 · answer #7 · answered by redhotgermangrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's originally from willow bark. Its now synthetically made and is a major component of aspirin.
2007-01-10 03:45:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This might be of help to you.
http://skincarerx.com/salicylic-acid.html
2007-01-10 03:48:02 · answer #9 · answered by S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is aspirin, but I dont know how it affects the skin
2007-01-10 03:45:11 · answer #10 · answered by teary chocolate 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋