The beauty principles and side effects of salicylic acid

Salicylic acid, an organic acid, is not unfamiliar to the majority of beauty-conscious consumers. It is a fat-soluble organic acid. However, this type of lipolysis does not mean dissolving the fat on the body, but dissolving acne, keratin plugs, etc. that are blocked in the pores on the skin. In addition, salicylic acid can also solve the problem of excessive sebum secretion and effectively cure acne. The above content is just a brief introduction to salicylic acid. Let’s learn about the beauty principles of salicylic acid and its side effects through the following article.

Salicylic acid is a fat-soluble organic acid, so it can easily break down excess sebum on the skin surface and inhibit excessive sebum secretion. It also has a strong dissolving effect on keratin plugs and acne formed by sebum blockage, improves the unclean state of hair follicle walls, helps sebum to be smoothly discharged from the pores, and quickly dries up acne with its antibacterial properties. Salicylic acid can dissolve the substances used to connect cells, causing aging keratinocytes to fall off quickly from the skin surface, thereby promoting skin metabolism and restoring the skin's delicate touch. Pigmentation on the surface of the skin usually occurs in the unhealthy keratinocyte layer. Using salicylic acid can help peel off this layer of aging keratinocytes, just like a mirror is wiped clean to restore a bright and clear image. In addition, salicylic acid can assist the penetration of other acid-based whitening ingredients.

Understand the beauty principles of salicylic acid:

Salicylic acid can dissolve the cement between the cuticles and cause the cuticle to fall off, so it can remove the overly thick cuticle and promote metabolism.

Skin metabolism

The main function of the stratum corneum of the skin is to protect the various layers of cells in the skin. The metabolism of layer after layer of epidermal cells will naturally move outward. After the outermost layer of keratin cells gradually ages and becomes hard, they will naturally fall off under normal circumstances. Old cuticles that are not shed normally will make the skin appear rough and dull, slow down the skin's metabolism rate, and even form acne and block pores.

The effect of exfoliation

Salicylic acid can remove excess stratum corneum and promote the rapid renewal of epidermal cells. If the epidermal cells are fresh, vital and tender, the skin will naturally become smooth and delicate.

Shrink pores

Salicylic acid is fat-soluble and can penetrate deep into the pores along the sebaceous glands that secrete oil. It helps dissolve the old accumulated stratum corneum in the pores and improve the blockage of pores. It can therefore block the formation of acne and shrink enlarged pores.

Preventing acne

Salicylic acid acts on the cells of the hair follicle wall, which can help clear blocked hair follicles, correct abnormal cell shedding, prevent pore blockage for mild acne, and is most effective for blackheads. It can reduce abnormal shedding of hair follicle walls and prevent the formation of new lesions, but it has no effect on reducing sebum secretion and eliminating Propionibacterium acnes.

The function of salicylic acid is to clean up aged cuticles to make the skin look more delicate and less prone to acne.

Side Effects of Salicylic Acid

Since high concentrations of salicylic acid can be harmful, the Department of Drug Administration of the Department of Health has limited the concentration of salicylic acid in cosmetics to between 0.2-1.5% since 1999. Cosmetics containing salicylic acid must be accompanied by a warning to ensure safety for long-term use, and are not allowed to be used by children under 3 years old.

●Local effects: Excessive removal of the stratum corneum will weaken the skin's defenses and erythema, itching, stinging or allergies may occur. Therefore, the use of salicylic acid requires enhanced moisturizing and repair, and it is best to avoid contact with the eyes, face, reproductive organs and mucous membranes. A small number of people may be allergic to salicylic acid and are not suitable for using salicylic acid of any concentration.

● Systemic symptoms: For general skin care and small-scale users, there should be no systemic side effects. However, patients who use salicylic acid over a large area (greater than 30% of the body area) or for a long time must pay special attention to the occurrence of salicylism effects. These symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and electrolyte imbalance. These symptoms are more likely to occur in children and patients with renal and liver dysfunction. If salicylic acid toxicity occurs, the drug should be discontinued immediately.