The skincare industry is loaded with many different products used to treat various skin problems. Two popular skincare ingredients that have taken the skincare industry by storm are glycolic acid and salicylic acid. Both the ingredients are helpful and effective to treat skin problems in less time. The ingredients can be found in many products, such as serums, facewashes, and toners.
If one has acne, they can use both the ingredients to get rid of the marks and zits. However, both ingredients have unique benefits. It is important to know the difference between glycolic acid and salicylic acid. You should also know the benefits of these two ingredients before purchasing.
After knowing the benefits and uses of these two ingredients, it becomes easier to understand which product is used to treat which problem. Most people with hormonal and stubborn acne prefer using a salicylic acid face wash. However, one should always know their skin type and then decide on which product will suit them. Let’s get into the details of what is salicylic and glycolic acid.
Salicylic acid and Glycolic acid can treat acne effectively.
Table of Contents
What is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is a small molecule that can conveniently pass through one’s skin barrier. The topical treatment of glycolic acid helps exfoliate the skin and retain the natural moisture. It locks the skin’s natural moisture, preventing it from getting dry and rough during the different seasons. Glycolic acid also prevents inflammation of the skin and protects it from the sun’s harmful UV rays. This ingredient can also protect the skin from breaking out by removing the acne-causing bacteria.
One can find glycolic acid in toners, moisturisers and face washes. Each product has a different percentage of these ingredients, one should always see which product has the amount of glycolic acid that will work on their skin. People who suffer from frequent breakouts that are caused by bacteria should choose glycolic acid over salicylic acid face wash as it is specially formulated to get rid of the bacteria.
Benefits of Glycolic Acid
Before buying glycolic acid to treat your skin problems, let’s look at a few benefits of this ingredient that can help you to decide if it is right for you:
- Glycolic acid helps to reduce the signs of skin ageing.
- It reduces hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
- It helps to brighten the complexion by getting rid of all the dirt and oil effectively.
- Glycolic acid helps to decrease the appearance of large pores.
- It also reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
- It helps to enhance the firmness of the skin.
If you suffer from all these problems and are looking for a product that will effectively work on these issues, choose a glycolic acid facewash over a salicylic acid face wash. It will remove all of these problems without causing further issues.
What is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). It has an exfoliating effect on the skin that helps to reduce the excess sebum production on the skin, thus preventing acne and zits. It also has antimicrobial properties that prevent other problems and also unclogs pores. Similar to glycolic acid, a salicylic acid face wash also has anti-inflammatory properties. This ingredient can be found in different products such as face washes, toners, and serums.
Doctors usually recommend a salicylic acid face wash to people who suffer from hormonal acne and pimples. It is extremely difficult to treat acne with the help of topical treatments, but salicylic acid has properties that can prevent acne.
Benefits of Salicylic Acid
To know if salicylic acid will work for your skin as well, it is important to know the benefits of this product. This can help to choose the right ingredient for your skin. Let’s take a look at the benefits:
- Salicylic acid helps control oily skin by reducing sebum production and removing the excess sebum build-up.
- A salicylic acid face wash can reduce the appearance of blackheads by keeping the pores clean and unclogged.
- This ingredient also helps to reduce hyperpigmentation caused by hormonal issues.
- It also helps to control dryness and irritation on the skin.
- Salicylic acid can also help to treat inflammation.
To know which product will work for your skin, knowing in detail about salicylic acid and glycolic acid is extremely crucial. You can use salicylic acid face wash if your doctor has recommended it or if you feel this ingredient can properly work on your skin problems. Glycolic acid is comparatively a milder ingredient. However, one should research properly before using it. Both the ingredients are helpful if used correctly. Most people just pick up products that look fancy but later realise that it is not working on their skin. Sometimes the products can also worsen the problem.
Taking help from experts helps to understand and see which ingredients if right for you. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid will do their job if you are able to select the right one for your skin. While both the ingredients are used to treat similar issues, the percentage of these ingredients matters.
