Salicylic Acid vs Glycolic Acid: Which One Is Right for Your Skin?

Salicylic acid vs glycolic acid, we’re all guilty of confusing one for another or thinking they’re a similar thing. While it’s true to some effect, since they’re both exfoliants, they have plenty of unique benefits that make them suited to a particular skin type. Before you go buying the wrong bottle, it’s time to take a quick lesson in the differences between glycolic acid and salicylic acid and which one suits your skin type.

Keynotes:

• Salicylic acid and glycolic acid are popular exfoliants but work differently on the skin.
• Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, making it ideal for oily, acne-prone skin as it clears pores, reduces swelling, and controls breakouts.
• Glycolic acid is water-soluble and works for dry, dull, or ageing skin by boosting cell turnover and collagen.
• Choosing between them depends on your skin type, concerns, and sensitivity.

Salicylic Acid(SA) is an exfoliant that removes dead cells and impurities from your skin. It can be made chemically in a lab or is found naturally in willow tree bark in the form of salicin. SA falls under Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA) exfoliants that are oil-soluble. This means salicylic can cut through oily skin to penetrate deep into your pores for a thorough cleansing. This makes it especially useful for oily and acne-prone skin. It also helps you fix oily hair troubles like dandruff.

How do you use Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid for skin can be used in the form of liquid solutions, serums, or can come infused in your cleansing gels and toners. You can also try stronger chemical peels with salicylic acid as long as your dermatologist approves.

Benefits of Salicylic Acid

• Deep Cleansing: Salicylic acid’s nature allows it to dissolve excessive sebum and get deep into your pores to cleanse and unclog them.
• Anti-Inflammatory: Salicylic Acid helps you control the swelling or inflammation around acne lesions.
• Exfoliation: Salicylic acid breaks down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together. This gives you a softer, smoother skin texture and keeps these dead skin cells from clogging your pores.

Best for Acne-Prone and Oily Skin

Salicylic acid’s uses for skin make it more suited for those with oily, greasy, and acne prone skin. Here’s why -

• Sebum Control: Oily skin tends to produce more sebum. This is the grease that you feel near your nose and cheeks. Salicylic acid is oil soluble and can cleanse this excessive oil to give you clear, balanced skin.
• Acne Control: Too much sebum calls for trouble.It can mix with dirt, dust and pollutants to clog your pores and cause acne breakouts. Cleansing your skin with salicylic acid also helps you prevent acne and pimples.
• Smooth Skin: Acne and pimples aren’t your only hurdles. Whiteheads and blackheads on your nose and chin can also keep you from getting clear skin. These bumps are caused with oiliness and dead skin cells clog your pores and salicylic acid uses for skin come in handy once again.
• Reduces Inflammation: Acne-prone skin sees swelling more often. Salicylic acid uses are anti-inflammatory and help you reduce the size and redness of existing pimples.​

Glycolic acid is another exfoliant that helps you remove dead skin cells.It is mainly derived from sugarcane and has a small molecular size that lets it go within your skin to a certain extent. However it is an AHA or an Alpha-Hydroxy Oxide. This means that glycolic acid is only water soluble and cannot get through sebum to enter the depths of your skin. It mainly works on your skin’s surface and promotes skin cell turnover. This is why glycolic acid mainly benefits dull and uneven skin tones.

How do you use Glycolic Acid?

Like SA, you can take in glycolic acid benefits in the form of serums, lotions, and other topical treatments. Glycolic acid peels are also recommended by dermatologists to treat pigmentation issues like melasma.

Benefits of Glycolic Acid

• Exfoliation: Glycolic acid works on the surface of your skin to effectively remove dead skin cells for a smoother, even complexion.
• Collagen Stimulation: Collagen is a protein that gives your skin its structure and flexibility. Glycolic acid stimulates collagen producing cells to give your skin more elasticity, making it look younger.
• Even Tone: Using glycolic acid regularly can help you fade dark spots and even out skin tone by accelerating cell turnover.

Ideal for Dull, Uneven Skin and Aging Concerns

Glycolic acid for skin benefits those who are dealing with dullness, dark spots, and uneven tone. Here’s how -

• Reduced Pigmentation: Glycolic acid breaks the bonds between dead skin cells and makes them shed faster. This allows you to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots faster.
• Even Tone: Your skin sheds dead skin cells naturally. However, sometimes it is not able to shed them due to stressors and sun damage. This is where glycolic acid breaks down dead cells, revealing new, brighter skin cells underneath to give you an even skin tone.
• Smoother Texture: Glycolic acid also acts as a humectant. This means it draws moisture from the environment to give your skin a plump, smoother texture.
• Younger Skin: Collagen stimulation is another glycolic acid benefit for the skin. By promoting collagen production, GA helps you smooth over fine lines and wrinkles.

While both acids serve as exfoliants, salicylic acid vs glycolic acid have distinct properties cater to different skin concerns:

• Solubility: Salicylic Acid is oil-soluble, allowing it to penetrate oily pores, whereas Glycolic Acid is water-soluble and works primarily on the skin's surface.
• Target Concerns: Salicylic Acid is ideal for acne and oily skin issues, while Glycolic Acid addresses pigmentation, dullness, and signs of aging.

Salicylic Acid Or Glycolic Acid, Which Is Better?

Consider these factors before choosing between the two exfoliants -

• Skin type

  Salicylic Acid is preferable for oily and acne-prone due to its pore-penetrating and anti-inflammatory properties.​ Glycolic acid works better for dry, dull and aging skin owing to its benefits like cell turnover and collagen production.​

• Sensitivity

  Both exfoliants may not be suited to very sensitive skin types. Try to talk to your dermatologist and analyse your concerns before choosing between salicylic acid vs glycolic acid. You can try gentler lactic acid toners for sensitive skin types.

Make sure you’re following these precautions before incorporating exfoliants in your skin regimen;

• Start slow. Begin with lower concentrations and gradually increase it if your skin tolerates it well.
• Always perform a patch test on your upper forearm and let it rest for a day to see any after effects.
• Both exfoliants can increase your skin’s photosensitivity. Make sure you apply broad-spectrum sunscreen everyday.
• Talk to your dermatologist before adding exfoliants or trying glycolic acid or salicylic acid peels. Don’t mix the exfoliants with other skin actives if not recommended.
• Layer these acids with a hydrating moisturizer and night cream to support your skin barrier.

Understanding the difference between glycolic acid benefits and salicylic acid uses for skin helps you pick the right products. With all your doubts cleared, pick the exfoliant that suits you best and begin building a skin regimen with Eucerin products.

1. Can I use salicylic acid and glycolic acid together?

   While it’s not recommended to mix the two solutions, you can layer them in your skin regimen for their individual benefits. Make sure you consult your dermatologist before doing so.

2. Which acid is better for acne-prone skin?

   Salicylic acid benefits are more suited to acne-prone skin. SA helps soothe and prevent acne with pore cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Is glycolic acid safe for sensitive skin?

   Glycolic acid may irritate sensitive skin as it mainly exfoliates the surface of your skin. Consult a dermatologist, use low concentrations, and try patch tests before using GA.

4. How often should I use exfoliating acids?

   Your frequency of exfoliating depends on your skin type, concerns, and the concentration of exfoliants you are using. Typically, a normal skin type can exfoliate twice a week.

• Medical News Today. (n.d.). Salicylic acid for acne: Does it work? Retrieved from Medical News Today website.
• Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Salicylic acid (topical route) - Description and usage. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic website.
• Kim, J., Kim, M. B., & Kim, J. I. (2020). Anti-acne mechanism of salicylic acid in SEB-1 sebocytes. PubMed.
• Medical News Today. (n.d.). Glycolic acid for skin: Properties and benefits. Retrieved from Medical News Today website.
• Lim, J. T., & Tham, S. N. (2020). Glycolic acid: Anti-aging and skin renewal benefits. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Wiley Online Library.
• Parra, J. L., & Infante, M. R. (2018). Cosmetic applications and properties of glycolic acid. Molecules, 23(8), 863.