What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that is derived from willow bark. It is also prepared artificially for use as an organic acid and inorganic salts as a medication. Salicylic acid can be taken orally or applied topically.

It is widely used in cosmetic products and has many benefits for the skin. It can also be used to help relieve the pain of arthritis and rheumatism.

The word salicylic comes from the Latin word "salsa", meaning "salt", and the word "oleum" meaning oil.

Salicylic acid is a topical agent, helps remove the outer layer of skin cells to reveal smoother skin. It helps treat acne and other forms of skin blemishes, as well. This is because salicylic acid exfoliates the skin, unclogging pores and removing impurities and dead cells found on the surface layer of your skin.

Salicylic acid is a topical medication that is used to treat acne and other skin conditions. This acid naturally occurs in plants and helps prevent the spread of disease. It was traditionally used in treating rheumatic and skin problems but is most popularly used as an acne treatment.

Salicylic acid for pimples works by penetrating the upper layers of the skin, making it possible for the medication to break down the fat cells and cleanse pores. This prevents acne from spreading and helps reduce the number of pimples that develop, in turn helping to clear blemishes.

What are the Causes of Dark Spots on the Face?

Dark spots on the face commonly referred to as hyperpigmentation is uneven skin discolouration. There are two types of pigment in the skin, Melanin (responsible for skin colour) and Hemoglobin (responsible for blood colour). When the melanocyte which is responsible for melanin production is damaged or destroyed, it leads to uneven skin discolouration or dark spots on the face.

Several factors may cause dark spots on the face. Some of the causes of dark spots are −

Sun is the main factor for darkening the face. This factor is a cause of dark spots on the face and neck. In addition to leaving the skin dry, the sun also causes dark spots because of exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays that causes thinning of the skin. With exposure to the sun, the skin begins to thin out because it is unable to replenish dead cells. This makes way for newer cells and exposes them easily to sunlight which makes them dark as well.

Exposure to tobacco can also lead to dark spots on the face as nicotine in the cigarette tends to increase blood flow which leads to the dilation of small blood vessels that makes skin look dark.

Intake of excess alcohol is one of the reasons behind having dark spots on the face.

Acne/pimples are one of the major causes of dark spots on the face. When the face produces cells with too much melanin in them to replace the damaged skin cells, this results in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This results in the appearance of dark spots on the face.

Cream with Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a common ingredient that is used in beauty products to treat acne and control skin irritation. The salicylic acid gel is often included in acne treatments, body washes, moisturizers, face washes and toothpaste. It's derived from the bark of willow trees. The use of this acid in skincare products includes exfoliating, cleansing and preventing acne. It also helps protect your face from sun damage.

Aside from being an effective treatment for acne, acne scarring and general skin irritation, the salicylic acid ointment has other benefits for your skin. This acid helps create balanced skin while also keeping it healthy. By applying salicylic acid to your skin, you are also improving its appearance and feel.

Skin cell turnover is a complex process that occurs naturally as the skin ages. As you age, your cells divide and move in a downward direction. Niacinamide, natural salicylic acid, zinc, aloe vera and glycolic acid are all active ingredients that can help to improve skin cell turnover and make your skin appear younger, smoother, and firmer.

Salicylic Acid for Acne Scars

Salicylic acid infused with essential beauty ingredients like aloe vera, zinc, glycolic acid, niacinamide, etc can be availed in a single product as well to get rid of acne scars. Mars by GHC’s anti-acne gel contains all the aforesaid ingredients that work specifically on acne and related issues.

Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a derivative of vitamin B3 with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s often used in moisturizers, serums, and creams to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and uneven skin tone.

Glycolic acid helps in breaking the bonds between the outer layer of the dead skin cells and the next skin cell layer. It also helps the skin to appear smooth and free from bumpiness by exfoliating the skin.

Zinc helps in reducing redness, inflammation and promotes faster healing of acne and pimples.

Aloe vera is a natural antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent the skin from developing acne and helps in getting rid of skin irritation.

Salicylic Acid for Slough of Dark Spots

A healthy lifestyle has always been closely tied to beauty. Many of us focus on our overall well-being in addition to how we look. In today’s world, where we are all exposed to a variety of different lifestyles, it is important that we find a balance between our diets and our health, as well as maintaining a healthy appearance. As time goes on, we will, undoubtedly, face more difficult choices regarding how we manage our health and appearance.

Salicylic acid is an excellent exfoliating agent that can destroy acne-causing bacteria and help in removing slough of dark spots by targeting the dead skin cells. We recommend using a salicylic acid face wash infused with other essential beauty ingredients for best results.

Take Away

Salicylic acid is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) that is derived from the bark of the willow trees. Salicylic acid is found in certain fruits including apples, oranges, and strawberries. It’s also used in topical medications for the treatment of acne, warts, and calluses. According to studies salicylic acid works by loosening dead skin cells stuck to the surface of the skin. This helps keep pores clear. Salicylic acid can be used on your face as well as your body.