Salicylic acid falls in the latter camp, and it’s derived from the bark of willow trees, explains Dr. Negbenebor. Wearing sweaty synthetic gym gear is probably the worst habit for exacerbating the skin, so use fresh cotton clothes and always have a post-gym shower,” she says, adding, “If the problem persists see a skin specialist who can prescribe topical treatment that will reduce infection and reduce folliculitis and inflammation.” When we asked dermatologists for their preferred salicylic acid products, this CeraVe cleanser was the clear winner. Dermatologists raved about it for its mild yet effective formulation. “This is my favorite end-of-day face wash for acne-prone skin,” says Neil Farnsworth, MD, a Houston-based board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology. He adds that, even if you don’t have breakouts, it’s a good way to remove the day’s grime before bedtime. Tight clothing anywhere on your body is a no-go for ingrown hair, so avoid any tight materials such as lycra or latex,' cautions Terling. 'The material-to-skin friction causes a sweaty environment which the hair hates.' Time to bring out the airy cottons and linen sets. 4. Heal The Skin Skin care doesn’t have to be expensive to work. A few of the dermatologists we spoke to recommended this salicylic acid serum from The Ordinary because it’s inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to apply.

What’s more, it also contains retinol, a powerful ingredient known for its anti-aging benefits that also reduces breakouts. Retinol helps get rid of congestion in the skin, so it can be used to treat acne while also targeting the signs of aging. Just be sure to introduce this product into your routine slowly since retinol can increase irritation or cause skin purging. You’ll also want to be extra diligent about wearing sunscreen daily when using retinol, AHAs, or BHAs because they can increase photosensitivity. There’s a learning curve to using salicylic acid, but it’s simple once you learn a few ground rules.

The OG Body Acne & Clarifying Treatment Spray

While clay does its thing, other acne-fighting ingredients go to bat for your skin. Salicylic acid gently exfoliates away the grime while niacinamide reduces inflammation and shrinks your pores. This face mask also contains triclosan, an antibacterial ingredient that has been shown to be more effective at killing acne-causing bacteria than benzoyl peroxide. Since triclosan was recently banned in the use of toothpaste products, some consumers are still hesitant to knowingly use it. Getting your skincare routine down pat is a science. Here’s a little chemistry reminder for you: When skin’s pH is too acidic, it increases the chances of dealing with conditions like acne. What can you do? Start your routine off with a toner. The main purpose of a toner is to balance the skin’s pH level. Toning also helps get rid of excess dirt and refreshes skin before applying the rest of your skin care products.

A skin care routine doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. Is a face mask a necessity? No, but it’s nice to have. For acne-prone and oily skin, clay masks are especially helpful. They have a slight drying effect on the skin, which is an effective way to soak up all that excess sebum that could lead to future breakouts. Salicylic acid is safe to use every day. To prevent irritation and over-exfoliation, gradually increase the frequency. Dermatologists recommend using salicylic acid 2-3 times a week at first and slowly working your way up to daily use. It’s quite concentrated at 2% salicylic acid, which may not sound like much, but it’s the maximum amount allowed in over-the-counter (OTC) products. At this concentration, this serum is best suited for those who are familiar with salicylic acid and pair it with products that will soothe and hydrate since the active ingredient can be drying or irritating, Dr. Negbenebor says. There is a safe way to tweeze out ingrown hairs,' say the experts at Tweezerman, but only when you can actually see the hair. When the ingrown hair is fresh and near the surface of your skin, you can use a specifically designed ingrown hair tweezer to gently pull it out.' In other words, don't go digging around for the hair as this can cause further redness, infection and scarring. Salicylic acid is used at a 2% concentration in this product, but it’s still gentle enough for daily use. In fact, the manufacturer recommends using it up to twice per day but notes that it should be combined with SPF during the day.Like we already touched upon, Dr. Chang confirms that potential side effects include skin tingling, stinging, itching, redness, peeling, and irritation. Salicylic acid is a definite no-no for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well. When it comes to combining salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acids, just be cautious of excess dryness or irritation that may occur. As with any skin-care product, dermatologists like Dr. Chang recommend performing a spot test before going all-in. Better safe than sorry (and red all over), as they say. As a keratolytic agent, salicylic acid can bust the buildup of excess keratin, which leads to the formation of bumps on the skin’s surface. Dr. Farnsworth recommends salicylic acid creams for managing keratosis pilaris symptoms. If you’re new to salicylic acid, this cleanser may be a good place to start because it’s likely a low concentration. Salicylic acid isn’t listed as an active ingredient, which could signal it makes up less than 0.5% of the product. It contains triclosan, which can kill acne-causing bacteria but some people avoid it when possible.