Salicylic acid and lactic acid together? Is that even possible you may ask?! Well, let me tell you something, this is perhaps one of the most controversial yet confusing questions that many people have.
Let’s be honest here, even though they sound frightening, acids are the most potent and effective skincare ingredients. You’d be hard-pressed to find a formulation that doesn’t contain some of these skin-beneficial ingredients.
Now, alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) are the two principal acids that can help exfoliate the top layer of the skin. They support the removal of dead skin cells that cause various skin concerns, including blackheads, the appearance of wrinkles, and the most common issue, acne.
However, is it possible to combine the two? What about lactic acid and salicylic acid? Many people wonder if this combination of acids is safe. To determine whether the two acids should be used together, it is helpful to first understand what they are. We also need to understand where they fit on the principal acids, their benefits, and how they differ.
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Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs are organic compounds that are water-soluble and can be found in cosmetic formulations that provide exceptional benefits to the skin.
Is a chemical exfoliant that is derived from the fermentation of lactose, a carbohydrate in milk.
Benefits:
- It helps exfoliate the skin by removing old dull cells on the skin surface. It speeds up cell turnover and stimulates cell renewal.
- It has an extra benefit that other AHAs do not have. In addition to improving the appearance of the skin, it also keeps it naturally hydrated.
- Also, by increasing cell turnover and removing dead skin cells from the epidermis, it helps make skin healthier.
- Lactic acid will brighten and smooth your skin. This AHA exfoliant helps treat hyperpigmentation, which occurs when certain spots on your skin have more melanin than usual. As a result, age spots can fade, and highly visible pores can be reduced.
In terms of AHAs, you will often see glycolic and lactic acid used primarily in skincare products. And between the two, lactic acid is known for being the most gentle and effective exfoliant that can be used on all skin types, including sensitive skin.
According to research, is an active and effective acid that may be helpful for sensitive skin.
In addition, it has been stated that lactic acid is a good treatment for eczema, psoriasis and rosacea.
Risks:
Despite being gentler than most AHAs, lactic acid is still a powerful treatment.
It may cause:
There’s no need to worry about it if it’s mild and disappears within an hour.
The product however should be washed off immediately if the redness, burning, or itching is moderate to severe or doesn’t go away after a short period. This is especially true if you experience swelling or a rash.
In addition, those with very sensitive skin may experience irritation from lactic acid. Use a product with a small percentage of lactic acid (e.g., 5%) and see how your skin reacts. If you experience irritation, discontinue use.
Recommended one:
Best lactic acid pick if you’re on a budget: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% HA. This lactic acid serum is among the most affordable options available on the market for less than $7. This serum is formulated with Tasmanian pepper berry to reduce the possibility of irritation caused by exfoliation.
Best lactic acid pick for beginners: CeraVE SA Cream For Rough & Bumpy Skin
Related:
*Aha 30 bha 2 peeling solution-vs-lactic acid
Salicylic acid
As a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), salicylic acid makes the skin pores more permeable by making it oil soluble.
The latter tends to help penetrate the skin deeper as supposed to AHA which are water-soluble.
Benefits
- Salicylic acid can penetrate deep into your skin given the fact that they are oil soluble.
Dr Wesley (a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles) explains that once it penetrates the skin, salicylic acid dissolves skin debris that clogs pores. It stimulates the body’s own anti-inflammatory reaction, and speeds up the healing process of red, inflamed pimples and pustules.
Furthermore, According to Dr Nazarian, salicylic acid will dissolve keratin plugs and regulate the skin cells.
A similar study has been conducted by Dr Wesley alongside Dr Schueller. This study found that the ingredient penetrates so deeply into the skin that it breaks down the connections between skin cells.
In addition, as the acid in the molecule penetrates the skin, it can dissolve some of the intracellular adhesives that hold skin cells together,” says Schueller.
Salicylic acid acts as an exfoliant which means that thanks to the breaking down of skin cells it promotes exfoliation.
Particularly, its anti-acne properties target blackheads and whiteheads.
Dermatologist Dr Schueller says that acne is caused by an abnormal shedding of skin cells, excessive sebum production, and acne bacteria. Salicylic acid eases acne’s first cause by removing the skin debris that clogs pores and causes acne. Indeed, acne’s biggest enemy is salicylic acid.
Risks:
Some users may experience dryness, peeling, redness, and some skin irritation, based on the concentration and the number of applications,” says Schueller.
However, it is not too concerning, since most over-the-counter salicylic acid creams contain a relatively small percentage of acid.
The acid can cause irritation and dry skin on people who have sensitive skin and those who overuse it, according to Dr Nazarian.
Recommended ones
Neutrogena Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Acne Fighting Face Wash, CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
Differences
It is important to note that lactic acid and salicylic acid are two different acids.
As looked at, lactic acid is an AHA and is found in milk. As it works on the outer layers of the skin, it sloughs off dead cells, revealing glowing, healthy skin without fine lines or flaky patches.
Salicylic acid, on the other hand, works deeper and dissolves bacteria, dirt, and excess sebum that block pores and cause blackheads, whiteheads, spots, and other skin imperfections.
Specifically, AHAs penetrate deep into the skin pores to free up clogged pores, freeing up old, dead skin. Salicylic acid penetrates deep into the skin layers to unclog pores, explains Dr Robinson.
BHA formulas use only salicylic acid as the active ingredient. When compared to lactic acid, salicylic acid penetrates deeper and can unclog the pores of any bacteria, dirt, or excess sebum.
Because of its blemish-fighting properties, salicylic acid has been hailed as a powerful ingredient that fights acne and other forms of blemishes.
In contrast to lactic acid, salicylic comes with a few warnings, and many users have reported dryness, irritation, or redness when overused or improperly used.
Depending on your skin type, you may also find that both acids work better. Due to the larger molecule size of lactic acid, it is less likely to irritate the skin. The use of lactic acid is more beneficial for dry or sensitive skin types. However, a consultation with a doctor, dermatologist or other trained professional is recommended to ensure it won’t harm the skin.
Salicylic acid and Lactic Acid together?
The answer is yes. Yep, you read that right. It is indeed possible.
Using AHA and BHA together should not pose any issues for you if your skin is accustomed to them! You can use both acids throughout your routine, as they work on opposite layers of the skin and target different areas of the face. According to experts, both ingredients provide effective results, making them appropriate to be used together.
If you use a lactic acid-enriched toner before applying a serum containing salicylic acid, your skin will feel soft, supple, and any breakouts will be diminished.
When introducing these acids to your skincare routine, however, it is advisable to start slowly after you have performed a patch test.
How do I use them then? Is there a specific order?
As for the order of skincare application, it is often recommended that you start with the thinnest consistency, like cleansers and toners. Then, you work your way up to thicker products such as moisturisers and SPF. It prevents the thicker formulas from building upon the surface of the skin, preventing the thinner products from absorbing.
AHAs and BHAs differ slightly in that they can cause mild skin irritation. Thus, it is important to ensure you leave enough time between applications for the skin’s pH to rebalance and prepare for the next step. Alternatively, if you still experience irritation, you can alternate days you use each acid. By doing this, both acids can be extracted without causing irritation.
In conclusion, we looked at what each acid has to offer. The truth is that they’re not as scary as they may sound, and with the right formula, you can achieve great results. Both lactic and salicylic acids can be used together, but caution must be exercised when using them, especially on sensitive skin. It is however advisable to know your skin type, what it needs, and if you have any doubts, consult an expert.
