Using Salicylic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid Together
We often sing the praises of both hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid separately, but do they belong together?
Read our guide to the two ingredients and learn how to combine salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid in your skin care routine.
What is salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), making it a great exfoliant to help address breakouts and maintain a healthy complexion.
Like many other good things in life, it’s best to use salicylic acid in moderation. Incorporating skin care products with salicylic acid into your routine can help your skin over time, but you'll want to start out slow — two to three times a week — to see how your skin responds.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid can help improve your complexion in the following ways.
Improves appearance of breakouts
We know how frustrating acne and breakouts are, especially in adulthood.
A main benefit of adding salicylic acid to your skin care routine is that it can help clear up breakouts and improve the appearance of the acne scarring they leave behind.
Salicylic acid helps unclog pores, getting rid of the dead skin cells and other oily buildup that contributes to breakouts and blemishes.
Exfoliates the skin
While unclogging the pores helps clear up breakouts, salicylic acid also exfoliates the skin. As we mentioned, this ingredient helps remove dead skin cells, thus making room for new skin cells to form and restore the skin to a smoother, brighter complexion.
Has soothing properties
Soothing agents are key in skin care since they help ease redness, swelling and irritation of the skin — as well as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and residual discoloration.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance that our own bodies produce, specifically in our skin, eyes and joints. Hyaluronic acid is also a key ingredient found in skin care products to provide hydration and help reduce the appearance of signs of aging.
What are the benefits of hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is great for your skin, and these are just a few reasons why.
Minimizes visible signs of aging
One of hyaluronic acid's key benefits is that it helps minimize the visible signs of aging.
While aging is natural and normal, certain products can help you age more gracefully — especially the ones you use on your skin. Hyaluronic acid helps support overall skin elasticity and keeps your face tight, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin.
Hydrates the skin
Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water, helping your skin remain hydrated. Dry skin can be irritating and at times painful, so it’s crucial to maintain a hydrated complexion, and hyaluronic acid is just the ingredient to get the job done.
Helps maintain a smooth complexion
Finally, hyaluronic acid keeps your complexion bright and smooth. By tightening and hydrating the face, your skin barrier is stronger and healthier, which results in a dewy, smooth complexion.
Can you use salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid together?
In short, yes — you absolutely can use salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid together. These two ingredients complement each other, and, when used in tandem, can contribute to a healthy, radiant complexion.
Salicylic acid helps remove the dead skin cells and buildup, which is a necessary step, but it can also dry out your skin. Hyaluronic acid comes in to restore hydration and keep your complexion looking (and feeling) refreshed and smooth.
Hyaluronic acid can be used during both your morning and nighttime skin care routines. Typically, salicylic acid should come first in your routine, followed by hyaluronic acid to help hydrate and restore the skin.
How to use salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid in your skin care routine
Ideally, you should use a salicylic acid cleanser (or exfoliant) first and then move on to a lotion or serum that contains hyaluronic acid.
Our Papaya Enzyme Cleanser is a great way to start your routine. With salicylic acid and other ingredients that gently exfoliate and soothe, this cleanser helps remove dead skin cells and other buildup from your skin without stripping away any crucial natural oils.
Follow up your cleansing with our Youth Serum. Packed with hyaluronic acid and peptides, this lightweight serum deeply hydrates, slows signs of aging and plumps skin.
Perfect your skin care routine
Salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid are two skin care stars for good reason. Using these two ingredients together ensures your skin stays tight, smooth and refreshed. Perfect your skin care lineup and start incorporating both salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid in your daily routine today.
This article was medically reviewed by Madeline Stoffer, MSN, NP-BC, a board-certified nurse practitioner with six years of experience in cosmetic dermatology.
Sources:
Salicylic Acid (Topical Route) Description and BrandNames | Mayo Clinic
Got Adult Acne? Get Answers from an Expert | Johns Hopkins Medicine
What Is Hyaluronic Acid? Understanding Skincare's Most Popular Ingredient | Vogue
