Consider your skin type
According to Dr. Chiu, the cleanser you choose should depend on your skin type, age, and primary skin concern. A salicylic acid cleanser comes in two forms: 1) a soapy and lathery consistency, which is best for oily skin, and 2) a soapless preparation, which is best for dryer skin, explains Dr. Burgess. Then, depending on your skin type, she continues, you usually can choose between 0.5, 1, or a 2 percent salicylic acid concentration. It is important to note that the higher the concentration of salicylic acid in the cleanser, the more drying it can be.
Know how to get the full benefits
Although a lot of us may be used to throwing on, lathering up, and immediately rinsing a cleanser off, Dr. Burgess has a recommendation to get the full effect of the salicylic acid cleanser: You want to suds it up, put it on your skin, and let it sit on there for maybe a minute or two. By doing this extra step, the top layer of the skin is softened, and the active ingredient can penetrate just a little bit more. You'll subsequently see more response versus just washing your face and then abruptly rinsing, she says.
Incorporate it into your skincare routine slowly
When using a salicylic acid cleanser, it is important to let your skin be the guide, explains board-certified dermatologist Loren Krueger, MD. "I would recommend starting the use of a salicylic acid cleanser either every other morning or each morning," Dr. Krueger says, adding that using the cleanser too frequently at the beginning of your treatment can potentially lead to irritation. "If you are tolerating well at once daily yet have room for improvement in your skin, you can bounce it up to twice daily," she says.
"Everyone's skin can react differently," says board-certified dermatologist Lucy Chen, MD. "Common side effects include burning, peeling, dry, flaky skin, and inflammation, especially at the start of treatment," she says, adding that if any of these effects worsen or continue, make sure to consult your doctor because sometimes, all you may need to change is the amount of the drug or how frequently you're using it. If you are experiencing dryness, apply a gentle, fragrance-free face moisturizer after cleansing.
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