Skin Care
What Is Salicylic Acid and How Does It Fight Acne?Sure, it's a magical zit-zapping ingredient... but that's not all it does for skin. |
What Is Salicylic Acid, Exactly? Salicylic acid falls into the larger category of beta hydroxy acids, but what sets it apart are its several unique properties, says Mona Gohara, "MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University. One, it's keratolytic. That may sound like the name of a Star Wars" character, but all it means is that it can break down excessive amounts of keratin, the protein in your skin, says Gohara. Essentially, it's really good at exfoliating. Two, it's lipophilic. Translation, please? "Salicylic acid is attracted to and can dissolve oil," Gohara explains. Which brings us to our next point...
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SEE NEXT PAGE: So, How Does It Work?
Image via Getty
SEE NEXT PAGE: So, How Does It Work?