Salicylic acid is commonly used in topical treatments for skin disorders. This natural acid comes from a chemical known as salicin, an organic compound that naturally occurs in white willow tree bark, the meadowsweet herb and wintergreen leaves. Check with your physician before using products that contain salicylic acid.
Uses
Drugs.com reports that topical treatments containing salicylic acid successfully treat the blemishes and pimples associated with acne outbreaks. This acid is also used in medications designed to treat other skin conditions, such as warts, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis. Trace amounts of this organic compound work as a natural food preservative. Some over-the-counter antiseptics contain small amounts of salicylic acid.
Products
Topical salicylic acid products designed to treat acne come in various forms, including creams, lotions, ointments, pads, wipes and gels. Salicylic acid wart treatments typically come in pad or concentrated liquid forms. This compound is also a common ingredient in anti-dandruff shampoos, medicated cosmetics and facial cleansers. Small amounts of this acid can be found in many toothpastes and mouthwashes due to its antiseptic properties. Salicylic acid compounds are used to make aspirin.
How it Works
According to the Kavi Skin Care website, salicylic acid works as a keratolytic. This means the compound causes the outer layers of your skin to shed. Salicylic acid works to treat seborrheic dermatitis, such as dandruff, because it helps to reduce the skin buildup that causes oils to form. It helps treat pimples and blemishes because it easily penetrates the sebaceous pores to kill the acne-causing bacteria. This acid also has the ability to unplug clogged pores and reduce swelling. Wart medications containing salicylic acid work because the acid softens your skin layers, which allows the wart to be filed off easier.
Benefits
The Kavi Skin Care website explains that using topical treatments that contain salicylic acid might help prevent future acne outbreaks. This acid might also stop acne scars from forming. Wart medications with salicylic acid offer you inexpensive alternatives to surgery. Ingesting aspirin, which contains salicylic acid, can help relieve pain, inflammation and fever.
Cautions
The Mayo Clinic warns that topical salicylic acid products might cause your skin to become irritated, red or dry when you first start treatment. Sensitive individuals sometimes experience peeling skin. Use your salicylic acid treatment as directed by the product package or your physician. Salicylic acid treatments sometimes take a few weeks to work, so keep using the product even if you don't see immediate results. Do not apply salicylic acid treatments to unaffected skin. Talk to your health care practitioner if your skin becomes irritated or changes color.
