Despite its name, salicylic acid is a natural acne skin care treatment product. It is derived from willow bark extract, which was used by many ancient civilizations for its medicinal properties.

Although you can use salicylic acid for topical acne treatment, it is probably better to use it preventively. This natural acne remedy is a peeling agent which helps to unclog your skin. This helps to prevent acne from forming.

Here is the normal acne treatment regime using salicylic acid:

1. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
2. Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel
3. Wait 5-10 minutes for your face to dry in air
4. Apply salicylic acid cream or lotion over your face, avoiding the eyes and lips
5. Wait for the cream or lotion to dry
6. Apply a non-oily moisturizer

Contra-indications

In case of skin irritation, use a lower concentration or apply salicylic acid less often. For example, if you apply it twice a day and your skin becomes inflamed, reduce the frequency to once a day.

Pregnant women and children should not use salicylic acid due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.

People who have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes or poor circulation should also avoid using salicylic acid for acne care treatment.

Does acne affect your life very badly? Do you need to get rid of that pimple fast? Click here to learn the best acne care treatment.

Salicylic acid is made from willow bark extract. Although salicylic acid is a modern creation, willow bark extract has been used by many ancient civilizations. The ancient Greeks used it as early as 5th century BC. The ancient Sumerians and Assyrians also used willow bark extract for its medicinal properties. Even the American Indians like the Cherokee used it for their medicines.

When used for acne care treatment, salicylic acid acts as a peeling agent, sloughing off the outer layers of your skin. This opens your pores and helps to unplug your follicles. As such, usage of this acne skin care treatment product is preventive. You should use salicylic acid on skin which is at risk from acne to prevent pimples from forming, not to get rid of pimples.

So why doesn’t everybody use salicylic acid for acne prevention? Because it can irritate skin, causing inflammation and redness. In addition, pregnant women and children should not use it due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. People who have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes or poor circulation should also avoid using salicylic acid for acne care treatment.

Does acne affect your life very badly? Do you need to get rid of that pimple fast? Click here to learn the best acne care treatment.