The Regimen

Salicylic Acid: Skin Care’s Ultimate Team Player

Salicylic Acid: Skin Care’s Ultimate Team Player

If the words “salicylic acid” conjure zit-zapping gels of your awkward youth, you may be surprised to learn that this acne-fighting constituent has more to offer than just clear pores. Salicylic acid calms, exfoliates, clears impactions, reduces the appearance of pores, minimizes fine lines, and boosts the performance of other skin care ingredients.

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that has desmolytic and comedolytic properties. It works by disrupting the bonds between skin cells and promoting exfoliation.

The thing to note about salicylic acid is that it’s a team player. While not always a top choice on its own, paired with the right ingredients, it steps up hard.

In its role as an acne fighter, salicylic acid does a excellent job of clearing impactions from pores. It’s oil soluble, which allows it to work beneath the surface to clear dead cells and oil, but it works best with benzoyl peroxide to kill acne bacteria.

In formulations targeting signs of aging, salicylic acid plays a venerable supporting role as a skin smoothing wrinkle reducer. With its exceptional exfoliating properties, it accelerates cell renewal, smoothes fine lines, and encourages collagen production, while also giving other actives an absorptive boost.

In combination with alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid enhances brightening and regenerative effects of because of its superior ability reach into pores.

When you learn that it’s derived from willow bark, also the original source of aspirin, you won’t be surprised to discover that salicylic acid has a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on skin, making it beneficial for fighting both acne and signs of aging.

Regular use of formulations containing salicylic acid will help keep skin smooth, free of cellular debris, and radiant. However, it should be noted that dry or sensitive skin may find salicylic too much of a good thing, in which case, ease off and use it as an occasional booster instead of a mainstay solution.

Find Salicylic Acid In These Skin Care Champions

Normalizing Tonic Forté

An advanced toner that pairs salicylic acid with witch hazel, plus lactic, glycolic and citric acids for brighter, clearer tone. Removes impurities, refines pores, promotes cell renewal and restores skin’s optimal pH balance while prepping skin for better absorption of corrective serums.

Daily Repair Pads

Boost your daily routine with refreshing, clarifying repair in simple, single use pads. Alcohol free and uniquely formulated with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating ingredients including lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acids, niacinamide and zinc peptides. Improve skin texture and tone while prepping skin for better absorption of Vivant’s rejuvenating serums.

Exfol-A™ Forté

This high-performance serum brings the full-complement of acids—glycolic, salicylic, citric, kojic and lactic, plus vitamin A—together in one intensely transformative AHA cocktail formulated for superior exfoliating effect with less irritation. Best for skin already acclimated to vitamin A (retinoid) therapies.

Subscribe to get our latest newsletter on email