Salicylic acid, a white powder, is naturally found in willow bark, poplar leaves, and sweet birch trees. It has a long history as a skincare ingredient. Salicylic acid serves various essential functions, including exfoliation, unclogging pores, acne removal, and skin brightening. In recent years, facial cleansers incorporating salicylic acid have gained significant popularity.
However, when it comes to skincare products, one must refrain from choosing just any product found on the shelf. Due to hundreds of varieties in the market, it becomes confusing when making the right choice.
This article is one of the best buyers' guides to the best salicylic acid fash wash in the UK market that is trending lately.
Best Salicylic Acid Face Wash
The Inkey List Supersize Salicylic Acid Cleanser
This face wash comes in the form of a foam and is designed for use on all skin types. However, those with sensitive skin should be extra cautious and do a patch test before using it to the fullest. It leaves a salty scent, which may be overpowered with the help of additional deodorants or fragrant agents.
It uses vegan material and is free from paraben. It’s advisable not to use this salicylic acid face wash uk on the kids. Furthermore, this cruelty-free face wash enjoys a high-quality brand reputation. One needs to use it once a week and gradually increase the frequency as desired. To increase its effectiveness, the user may use a moisturiser after washing their face with this face wash. It comes in a bottle form with a flip cover.
Price: £30.50 for 300 ml
COSRX BHA
Some of the most interesting features that one can achieve with this facewash are that it serves as an excellent exfoliant to remove blackheads. It resembles Korean skincare and the world knows how beautiful skin Koreans have, especially women. It’s a completely vegan product that’s free from paraben.
This exfoliant comes in a serum form in a spray bottle. The overall packing has an amazing aesthetic appeal, making it appear like any luxury brand product. It has 4% BHA, which is why it serves as a power liquid. One may notice visible changes in the reduction of enlarged skin pores and dead skin on the top layer. It’s safe to replace the current facewash with this one.
This serum is designed for use on sensitive skin only but may be used on other skin types after a successful patch test. This can take up to 24 to 48 hours. Using a moisturiser is important after washing the face with this serum. Furthermore, the manufacturers claim that it’s safe to use this serum on a daily basis, but one needs to monitor any adverse effects to confirm such a claim.
Price: £16.39 for 100 ml
Garnier Pure Active
This scrub contains 3 exotic ingredients including clay, eucalyptus, and salicylic acid. This face wash containing salicylic acid is meant for oily skin but not for children. Furthermore, those with sensitive skin need to test it before use. Some of the special features include cruelty-free lotion and suitability for multiple skin types.
One may use it daily as a scrub or a mask, as desired. It works well on men and women, becoming a unisex product. The results include clear skin and exfoliant properties. This lotion comes in a tube with a flip cover for easy application. It’s perfect for beginners who want to enjoy a good experience in their on initial days of using face washes.
Price: £4.00 for 150 ml
Neutrogena Face Wash
With 2% salicylic acid, this face wash comes in the form of oil and is best designed for oily, sensitive, and blemished skin types. The product leaves a scent of tea, which should be appealing to every person. It’s dermatologically tested for safety on various skin types.
The recommended age for use of this product is 16+, but the younger category should use it cautiously after a successful patch test. Additionally, the bottle design is very cute and interesting, which usually appeals to most people.
This product claims to clean the skin deeply and offer excellent results over time. Up to 97% of people claim to have been noticing fewer new spots on their faces. It doesn’t affect the skin’s barrier even though it reaches deep under the skin.
Some of the main benefits that one can get from this face wash are fewer blemishes that may have arisen due to clogged skin pores. Furthermore, this face wash acts as a gentle exfoliant that works by dissolving all the dirt and dead skin cells to unclog skin pores. Best suited for those with severe acne, blemishes, and worsened facial skin conditions and those with a tight budget.
Price: £3.99 for 200 ml
NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Chemical Exfoliator
It contains salicylic acid and glycolic acid in 8% which work together to give clear skin. Some of the key benefits achieved from this face wash include visibly reduced blemishes. One may notice no new blemishes upon constant and regular use of this exfoliant for a few months. It’s designed for blemished skin types but may be suited for all skin types except for sensitive skin.
It comes in a tube and a gel form. There’s no such memorable scent left by this face wash, which is why one needs to combine it with their regular fragrant agent and a moisturiser immediately after use. The bottle is travel-friendly, becoming ideal for carrying on trips. It’s advisable to use this face wash once every evening or at night as desired to get the best results.
Price: £5.50 for 40 ml
La Roche Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel
This face cleanser with salicylic acid is designed for oily and sensitive skin in particular but may be used on all other skin types too. It’s a paraben-free product that comes in a huge bottle pack for monthly use. One may use it 3 to 5 times a week depending on how it reacts to their skin. The exfoliant comes in a gel form that helps cleanse the skin.
It doesn’t leave any memorable fragrance or offer any additional benefits to the skin. The gel needs to be lathered well before applying to the face. A gentle massage after application will further help the gel to reach deep under the skin before rinsing. Even though the target audience is women, men may use it as desired.
Price: £17.60 for 400 ml
CeraVe SA Smoothing Face and Body Cleanser
This product works well to cleanse body and facial regions, leaving aside sensitive parts. The primary skin target includes dry, rough, and bumpy skin. This face wash comes in a gel form and doesn’t feature any in-built fragrance.
The main target audience is adults and use on children can be risky. It’s capable of locking skin’s moisture for up to 24 hours because it’s designed for rough and dry skin. However, if the users notice any dryness, they must apply a moisturiser too.
Price: £17.49 for 236 ml
FAQs
Can I Use Salicylic Acid Face Wash every day?
Yes, using a salicylic acid face wash daily is safe, especially for those with oily skin. However, the face wash will wash off some moisture and regular use makes it important to keep a visual check on the skin health.
One needs to monitor their skin’s texture, irritation, redness, or dryness and pause the usage immediately in case of any unhealthy symptoms until they resolve.
Can I Use Retinol After Salicylic Acid Face Wash?
Yes, retinol after salicylic acid is safe only for normal skin types. Those with sensitive skin may consider using it but in case of even a small degree of skin issue like irritation, burning, or dryness, etc., always stop using retinol immediately. Try it once to check how the skin responds and proceed only if it appears safe.
What to Use After Salicylic Acid Face Wash?
Salicylic acid can dry the skin to some extent, which is why, the use of moisturiser becomes an intelligent choice after it. However, one following certain specific skincare post-face wash may opt for it and may or may not include a moisturiser, depending on whether or not it feels required.
When to Use Salicylic Acid Face Wash?
Using salicylic acid in the morning will help prevent any breakouts throughout the day, allowing a healthy appearance of skin in front of people one meets during the day. Some people prefer using at night to unclog the skin pores and get fresh-looking skin in the morning. The morning bath will further elevate the skin’s texture and clean it well. Therefore, the choice remains to the user how they want to proceed.
Conclusion
Salicylic acid is a powerful exfoliating ingredient that works by adjusting the skin's acidity levels. Its primary role is to efficiently eliminate excess dead skin cells, unclog pores, and support the natural cellular turnover process. Nevertheless, it is crucial to be mindful of salicylic acid's potential for irritation. Excessive and frequent use of salicylic acid facial cleansers can compromise the skin's protective barrier, leading to sensitivity and damage. Moderation and proper usage are key to reaping the benefits without harming the skin. Besides, making the right choice is important. One needs to understand their skin type and ensure that the usage of these face washes remains at an optimum degree to avoid any side effects.
