How Does Salicylic Acid Help Fight Acne?
Posted on: 30 August 2016
If you visit the drugstore and look for an acne treatment medication, there's a good chance the active ingredient in that medication is salicylic acid. It's found in everything from acne washes, to creams, to astringent solutions. The reason why this ingredient is so common is that it fights acne in several different ways at once. Here's a closer look at how salicylic acid fights acne – and why it's such a good choice for you.
It helps kill bacteria.
Most cases of acne are either caused or made worse by bacteria. These bacteria accumulate in pores and feed on the sebum and oily secretions in those pores. The white substance your pimples contain consists mainly of white blood cells your body recruits to fight these bacteria. Salicylic acid helps kill the bacteria that cause acne, so you suffer from fewer breakouts.
It erases inflammation and redness.
A red, inflamed pimple looks a lot worse than one that's relatively flat and still the color of your skin. Salicylic acid helps reduce redness and swelling so that the pimples you do have appear less obvious. This makes them easier to cover with makeup and may even eliminate your need to wear makeup. Plus, it may alleviate some of the discomfort that comes with an overly swollen pimple.
It helps shrink pores.
The larger your pores, the more sebum, oil, and bacteria can collect in them. Salicylic acid has natural astringent properties, which means it causes your skin to constrict. This tightens your pores, which not only makes them appear less obvious, but also reduces the chance of a pimple forming inside of one.
It dissolves oil.
Oil alone does not really cause acne, but it can make it worse since the bacteria that cause acne like to feed on it. Plus, oil in your pores keeps water and other cleansing agents from getting into your pores and clearing away those bacteria. This isn't an issue for salicylic acid. It dissolves oil and penetrates your pores anyways. This leaves your pores a lot cleaner and also leaves the acne-causing bacteria less to feed on.
Salicylic acid is effective for fighting several causes of acne, making it a good choice for most people who suffer from mild to moderate breakouts. To learn more about this effective ingredient or to find the best acne remedy for your skin, speak with a professional like Changes Of Cherry Creek/ Denver's Day Spa.
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