The Ultimate Guide to a Salicylic Acid Gel Routine

Only people with oily skin know the day today struggle of using skincare products. Any of the products can trigger their already acne prone and sticky textured skin. Oily skin appears excessively shiny and dull. 

They have certain benefits also like they have slower skin aging than rest oily skin types are more prone to acne because their pores get clogged easily because of excess sebum production which also gets mixed with sweat and dust that can worsen the condition. 

Even makeup and skincare is a trouble for oily skin because it can also clog their pores by getting mixed with oil. So their skin is more pimple prone than others.

Oily skin types need a solution for their acne but they want a product which is light weight in texture and does not build up on the skin. They require a product which can help in declogging the pores and also reduce the chances of breakouts. 

Salicylic acid is one such ingredient that can be quite helpful in removing excess sebum, dust and dead skin cells by penetrating deep into the pores. If we use a salicylic acid gel it can be useful because it is light weight in texture and works well for oily skin.

Why does oily skin need more attention?

Oily skin people have highly active sebaceous glands than others. This produces excess sebum and makes skin more prone to acne. Sebum is necessary for skin moisturization but excess of it can mix up with dirt, dead skin cells and even makeup; this leads to clogging of the pores and further causing acne. Oily types have so many skin concerns like:

• Pimple breakouts
• Blackheads
• Enlarged pores
• Whiteheads
• Excessively shiny skin especially t-zone of the face

While dealing with all these concerns, it does not mean to remove the oil completely from but to restore the natural balance of oil on the skin. It just means to reduce the excess secretion of sebum.

The science behind salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a wonderful little molecule that is oil soluble. It can dive deep into the sebaceous glands/pores of the skin. It works by loosening the dead skin cell bond and helps in clearing it out from the skin. It clears out the excess matter from the pores very efficiently and helps in achieving balanced sebum levels.

Salicylic is a better exfoliant than other PHA and AHA because they are water-soluble and do not go deep into the skin, they can only perform surface cleansing and not for the deeper concerns of the skin. Salicylic acid is a BHA which is oil loving so it goes deep into the skin.

• Unclogging pores: The sebum and dead skin cells form a plug and salicylic acid loosens the bonds and clears out the pores. Salicylic acid works by loosening the glue that binds dead skin cells and other debris in the skin making an easy exit from the skin.
  
  
• Removing excess oil: Salicylic acid helps in controlling the excess sebum and exfoliates from the surface. It goes deep into pores and wipes of excess sebum from the pores.
  
  
• Removing blackheads and whiteheads: Blackheads are comedones that start appearing dark because of oxidation of trapped oils and salicylic dissolves the plug and removes blackheads. Whiteheads are also a kind of acne but they are hard and bumpy textured, salicylic acid helps by exfoliating away the dead cells and oil.
  
  
• Anti-inflammatory: Salicylic acid gel has anti-inflammatory action which can help in calming down the irritated and inflamed skin which happens due to acne.
  
  

How does a salicylic acid gel help?

A gel based formulation is better to use because-

• Lightweight and non-sticky: Gel based formulations are light textured and do not feel greasy on the skin after application which helps a lot for oily skin types as lightweight products do not make skin feel sticky and oily after use.
• Easy absorption: Because of gel based formulation salicylic acid gets absorbed quickly into the skin and delivers action better than other formulations.
• Easy application: Gel based formulations are easier to use as they are lightweight and are easy to incorporate into daily skincare with comfort especially for oily skin.
• Reduces oily shine: Oily skin types have a weird shine  on their face so salicylic acid gel helps in reducing sebum by clearing it out and gives skin a normal texture.
• Improves skin texture: It helps in improvising the rough and bumpy texture of skin due to clogged pores. When pores get cleared the texture might start coming back to normal.

All these features make salicylic acid gel the best gel for pimples.

How to use salicylic acid gel for achieving a balanced skin

For balancing out the oil in oily skin types they have to use gel daily in right manner for achieving results

• Firstly wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
• Then pat dry.
• Apply gel on targeted areas using your fingers. Take small amounts only.
• Let the gel get absorbed into your skin.
• If required apply a lightweight moisturizer and while going out apply sunscreen always.
  
  

Final thoughts 

Oily skin is one of the most complex skin types. Finding the right product for oily skin becomes very difficult. You need to find a product that is lightweight firstly and helps in reducing the excess oil from the skin surface and balance it out. For this purpose you need to follow a salicylic acid centred product like acne gel which is easy to use. Also you need to follow the right skincare for achieving results.