The majority of the people having a sensitive skin type often think a lot about implementing the correct skincare routine (AM & PM). Right skincare products with active ingredients play a very crucial part here. Now if a breakout happens it becomes more crucial as you need to deal with that and also think of using the right ingredient that does not affect your skin.
It often creates a dilemma for you. You don’t understand which kind of cleanser to select. It becomes a tedious task. You worry before using an exfoliant on your skin because it usually makes your skin red and inflamed. However if you use the right concentration of salicylic acid it can be beneficial for your skin.
It would help to reduce the excess sebum, dirt and dead skin cells from the skin and help in clearing out acne. You just need to balance the use of salicylic acid soap and opt for a safer concentration. It would be even more safe if you selected barrier supporting and hydrating ingredients alongside. This would create a smooth and non-irritant soap for sensitive skin.
Sensitive skin requirements
Sensitive skin which is more prone to acne requires a balanced and safe cleansing anti acne soap. Regular acne control soaps or cleansers generally rely on harsh scrubs or highly concentrated exfoliants which are not suitable for sensitive skin.
These products have a tendency to damage the moisture barrier, which can cause peeling, itching and burning on the sensitive skin. This also leads to inflammation, and dehydration on the skin that can increase the sebum production which could result in acne breakouts.
So sensitive skin requires a gentle exfoliant which helps in removing the impurities that clog the pores. The chosen exfoliant must be able to remove the oil, dirt and dead skin cells deep from the source without disrupting the barrier. Salicylic acid can be used for the same purpose. It is due to its lipophilic nature which allows it to penetrate into the skin pores as well as clear out the impurities in an effective way.
What is salicylic acid and how does it perform?
Salicylic acid is a wonderful ingredient for acne control which comes under the category of chemical exfoliants. It is a beta hydroxy acid which is derived from willow bark. This BHA has an oil soluble ingredient which makes it differ from other chemical exfoliants as they are water-soluble.
The oil soluble nature of salicylic acid allows it to reach the pores by cutting through the lipid barriers of the skin. After reaching the pores it works actively to clear out the impurities from the pores.
- It performs a keratolytic action.
- It dissolves the cellular bonds of dead skin cells and allows it to shed.
- It dissolves the bonds of hard plugs that clog the pores.
- It wipes off excess sebum from the pores as well.
Benefits of using a salicylic acid based acne soap
- Unclogs pores
- Smooths skin texture
- Controls excess sebum
- Prevents acne breakouts
- Enhances skin barrier support
- Soothes inflamed skin
Ideal concentration of salicylic acid to be used
For sensitive skin it is better to stick to mild concentration rather than choosing a strongly concentrated salicylic acid based soap. For a sensitive and acne prone skin you can choose concentration of salicylic acid between 0.5% to 1%. It is the safest range and would not irritate or trigger the skin. Choosing any concentration above this might cause skin redness or irritation. It could breach the skin barrier layer.
How to begin using salicylic acid soap?
A soap based formulation is the best and safe option to use for sensitive skin. It is because the leave on products like serums and moisturizers could cause skin irritation and redness because it stays on the skin for a longer period. Whereas a soap based formulation does not stay on the skin as it gets rinsed off within a few minutes. It delivers the action but without staying for a long period of time.
To incorporate salicylic acid in your routine you can start by
- Conducting a patch test for your skin. Use it once and wait for 48 hours to notice any signs of irritation. If it does not cause any skin irritation it becomes suitable for your skin.
- After that start using it twice or thrice a week
- If the skin adapts to it then you can use it on alternate days
- Next you can switch to daily use.
Application method for body acne soap
- Wash your body with water
- Take soap and rub it in hands to produce lather
- Apply it using a loofah or hands
- Rinse off with water
- Following with a lightweight and skin suitable moisturizer
- Apply sunscreen during day
Ingredients that can be used alongside
- Niacinamide: For anti-inflammatory action as well as barrier protection
- Ceramides: For supporting skin barrier by locking moisture
- Hyaluronic acid: For keeping the moisturized and plumped
- Panthenol: For soothing the skin
Last thoughts
Sensitive skin can be acne prone and it needs specialized care. If you need to use any exfoliant to control your acne breakouts and clear the impurities from the skin then salicylic acid is the most suitable one. It just needs to be used in a low concentration in anti acne soap. You need to incorporate it slowly in your daily routine to get results.
