Salicylic Acid

Question: Salicylic Acid? I bought a moisturizer (on my sister's advice - we share the product) that claimed to have a "pimple fighting ingredient" and when I brought it home and read the ingredients it says it contains salicylic acid - I'm sure that's a main ingredient in concentrated "zit-zapper" type creams and ointments. I have generally clear/normal skin - is it safe to apply this stuff everyday?

Answer: It can irritate skin, especially if you have never used a product containing salicylic acid before. If it starts to make your skin dry or red, reduce your application of the product to every other day. If irritation continues, you may want to speak to your doctor about your sensitivity to the product.

Question: salicylic acid? I put salicylic acid on the back of my neck because there were a few pimples there....i'm wondering, can I wear a necklace and stuff? Or will the saliciylic acid react to the metal in any way? Thanks

Answer: I don't think the saliclyic acid will react with the metal, but your necklaces can rub against the pimples and irritate them and make them worse. But metal won't react to the acid.

Question: Salicylic acid? salicylic acid is in the majority of over the counter acne medicine, which I have been using for at least 4 years, I just found out that it is another name for asprin, and Im allergic to asprin...could that be whats making my acne worse??

Answer: Aspirin is acetasalicylic acid, not salicylic acid.

Question: How much salicylic acid is in aspirin? I recently heard about using aspirin as a treatment for acne, because it contains salicylic acid. If an acne treating cleanser normally contains 2% salicylic acid, then what percentage would 5 pills of aspirin diluted with a drop or two of water contain?

Answer: Aspirin is acetysalicylic acid, which is made from, but is chemically different, slightly, from salicylic acid. Aspirin contains almost no salycylic acid, having been purified through fractional crystalization and fractional distillation. The fraction of a percent given above is probably close. 5 pills of aspirin would yield some 1.5+ grams of acetysalicylic acid and almost zero salicylic acid. One or two drops of water would not get 5 pills into solution, you'd probably need some 10 or 20 ml of water at least per pill.

Question: What percentage of salicylic acid does Clearasil ultra gel wash contain? In the wash, lotion and cream (UK) It's main ingredient is salicylic acid. In the ultra range, (claims to clear you up in 3 days) What percentage is the salicylic acid? Thanks Lloyd (Also is the treatment cream used all the time to prevent acne?)

Answer: The maximum salicylic acid I've seen in any facial care produce is 2% and that's the amount the wash contains. As for the cream, try using it twice a day, every day. Good luck! xx

Question: Can I wash my face with a salicylic acid cleanser prior to using a salicylic acid peel? I ordered a 20% salicylic acid chemical peel. The directions say to use a mild non-soap cleanser, like Cetaphil. Would it be OK to use a Neutrogena salicylic acid (i think like 5%) cleanser?

Answer: Yeah I guess it'd would be okay, if you have sensitive skin then it might irritate it but if not then it should do little to no harm . Much Love, Nicole C

Question: How could you make salicylic acid from aspirin? I know that it's possible to decompose aspirin into salicylic acid and acetic acid by heating it, but that produces gaseous acetic acid, which is really dangerous. Is there a safer way to do this?

Answer: The acetic acid is linked to the phenol derivative by an ester linkage. Just run the esterification process in reverse. Add a little bit of sulfuric acid (catalytic amount) + H2O and heat. And you will have the reverse reaction of fisher esterification thus converting the acetylsalicylic acid to salicylic acid + vinegar.

Question: How do I use salicylic acid to remove my wart? I've been applying a 17% salicylic acid on my warts. The acid caused the skin it touched to turn white. I have been 'peeling' off the white skin as it can be removed pretty easily. Should I be doing this or should i just apply the acid over the white skin. Will it work if it doesn't come into direct contact with the wart?

Answer: When using salicylic acid on warts it will turn white then you can take a nail file to remove the white part and then apply the salicylic acid. You would repeat the process until it disappears. Warts are a virus and stays in the body.

Question: What gets rid of pimples faster: Salicylic Acid or Benzoyl Peroxide? I've been trying two acne treatments: one with Salicyic acid and one with Benzoyl Peroxide. I've found that the Salicylic acid gets rif of white heads quickly, but I'm not sure about my pimples. Which one would work better with regular zits on my cheeks?

Answer: The Benzoyl Peroxide would work a lot better, but it's best to get a skincare treatment that has both in them. Use Proactive (free trials!!!) or Neutrogena Wave to get both chemicals to clean your skin.

Question: Does a higher percent of salicylic acid on the face have a reverse effect on acne? I just started using a 5% salicylic acid body scrub on my face and I am getting an increase of acne instead of a decrease. I used to use the 2% Stridex on my facial acne. Is it possible that a higher percent of salicylic acid can reverse the effects on the face? Thank you Lex! That is probably the problem although I'd just rather go back to my 2% since that was working well. I just though the 5% would get rid of my acne quicker. Thanks for your answer zarabanda! I didn't think it would do that, I mean it's an acne specific scrub.

Answer: the combination of the higher salysilic acid and the scrub is probaly causing your face to be irritated try using a FACE wash with a higher acid amount but start out every other day so your face wont become irritated also use a mosturizer with sunscreen--i recommend cetafil with 10 spf

Question: What does salicylic acid do to a plantar wart? I have a plantar wart on the bottom of my toe, and I have an appointment with the podiatrist in a few weeks, but they said to put wart remover on it and I was wondering what the salicylic acid did to it? Like if it would make my wart go away completly, and about how long it should take, if it does?

Answer: I had a plantar wart on the bottom of my foot and could barely walk at one point. I went to a dermatologist and he said I should use salicylic acid (Dr. Scholl's or Curad), put a piece of the acid tape (I don't know exactly what to call it) and secure it with waterproof tape (you can get it at any drugstore). You should leave it on for 72 hours. Do whatever you normally do - shower with it. If it falls off, it's best to put that same strip back again, just use a new piece of waterproof tape. Each time you change the salicylic acid, use a surgical blade to GENTLY scrape off dead layers of skin ONLY from the wart. This should NOT be painful and you should not feel anything. Once you start feeling discomfort, you should stop. There should be no blood and little to no redness, because you are scraping off dead skin. I did this for about 2 weeks and the wart disappeared. Good luck!

Question: What happens if you get salicylic acid wart treatment on good skin? i was treating a wart with salicylic acid prescribed from the doctor and without realizing it i got a bit on my skin where the wart wasn't. when i took the band aid off the skin was completely white. will that go away? if it does, how long will it take?

Answer: yes it will go away, not to worry. You have just damaged the upper levels of the healthy dermis, you will probably peel a little in that area and it may take a few days for everything to get back to normal but you'll be fine.

Question: How good is salicylic acid when using on your face? I have want to try a product called clean and clear . Its a dual action moisturizer with salicylic acid in it . It says on the bottom of the bottle that it helps treat and helps prevent pimples. What do you think about this product? It is oil free, lets make that clear. Now, I have used it before, and I think it works really good and you won't get many pimples if you use it on your face, but it seems when I do get a pimple or a couple it won't make it go away that quick.

Answer: Well, it's a good cleaning product for your skin, although it can cause a reaction in people with sensitive skin. The problem with zits is that, in most cases, they are caused by hormones. So all the cleaners in the world won't necessarily help. Just follow these simple steps for clearer skin: 1. Keep your skin clean with products that are non-comodogenic and oil free. 2. Lightly moisturize with products that are non-comodogenic and oil free. You may think you don't need to moisturize but you do. If your skin get's too dry, the oil glands will go into overdrive and your zits could get worse. 3. Keep your hands away from your face no matter what. Your hands are a haven for dirt and germs. 4. Try to avoid chocolates and caffeine - sometimes that can make acne worse. 5. Don't panic - it will get better. :)

Question: Is salicylic acid really dangerous during pregnancy? I have combination/oily skin and it's VERY hard to find products that don't have this listed somewhere in the ingredients. I don't use peels or creams or anything, only a facial wash and toner and oil control moisturizer (Vichy Normaderm and Avene products). Did you use products with salicylic acid during pregnancy?

Answer: i have used Biore face wash my whole pregnancy and never had a problem its helped with the breakouts i have! think your fine as long as your not eating it but talk to your doctor if it concerns you that much

Question: What is the best salicylic acid cleanser? I want a salicylic acid cleanser but I want to know what cleanser is your favorite. Thank you in advance! I want an easy to find drugstore cleanser (Neutrogena, Biore, Cetaphil, Clean & Clear, etc).. My skin is pretty good with a few breakouts, though. It's not TERRIBLY bad.

Answer: Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash works great, is affordable, and dermatologists recommend it.

Question: when should i use salicylic acid and moisturizer for my acne? so ive been using salicylic acid (neutrogena oil free acne wash) for a day so far and it seems like i might need to start using a moisturizer. it would have to be a very light non-comedogenic moisturizer. should i use it at night or the morning, or both? when should i use the salicylic acid? can i use the moisturizer right after the salicylic acid? will the moisturizer reduce redness? also if you have any other tips i would appreciate them.

Answer: Well, first of all, if the salicylic acid is in a facial WASH, the problems you are having have nothing to do with the salicylic acid, because it MUST be left on the skin to absorb in before it can do anything. Many cleansers on the market include salicylic acid, even though it is silly considering that it can do nothing in a wash. Also, it is NOT true that salicylic acid is automatically "really strong." Like anything else, it depends on the concentration in the product. Salicylic acid is usually present in concentrations of 1% to 2%. Most likely, your skin is reacting to something else in the cleanser. If you have never needed moisturizer before, when you switch cleansers, that sould do the trick and get you right back on track. Try gentle cleansers like Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, Olay Sensitive Skin Foaming Face Wash, or Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin. Then use a product like Clearasil Acne Fighting Facial Moisturizers, which has salicylic acid that will actually work, because it is left to absorb into the skin. If this still seems too harsh, you should use it once every other day. If your skin still feels a bit dry (which it probably will by winter), try one of the following lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers, and apply it a minute or two after the salicylic acid. The most recommended by specialists are Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30 (which is excellent for oily skin but will also moisturize) and Olay ProVital Protective Moisture Lotion SPF 15. Personally, I use and would recommend (because it was formulated by a super-knowledgable specialist) Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15 (available at www.cosmeticcop.com), and it will not make your skin look oily. If you buy Paula's Choice, though, you'll have to pay for shipping, so you may want to stick to the drugstore. For light moisturizing without sunscreen (for nighttime), you could also use St. Ives Cucumber & Elastin Eye & Face Stress Gel. Clinique Moisture in Control is a bit more expensive and can only be purchased at Sephora or Department stores So to sum up: get a gentle cleanser and a real salicylic acid product, wait one or two minutes between the two, and use each twice a day, unless the salicylic acid is bothering you -- then scale that down to once every day or every other day. Good luck!

Question: Is it safe to use a 4% salicylic acid gel on the pimples on face? I wonder if a 4% salicylic acid gel is too strong to be applied on the pimples on face. I have read some articles from the internet, saying that most of the acne treatment products contain only 0.5-2% of the salicylic acid, so I don't know if the 4% salicylic acid gel is to strong to be applied on face.

Answer: I'm not sure about that, but just recently I had a GIANT zit on my face. So my friend told me you crush up aspirin and lick your finger and get some of the aspirin and put it on the zit. Put a band-aid on it and then go to bed. ( do this at night ) Hope I answered right?

Question: How do I remove salicylic acid residue from fabric? I have spilled Compound W (salicylic acid) on a shirt? As on my skin it creates a white coating that doesn't simply wash off. How do I remove it. I am sure it has not permanently stained the fabric. It's sort of like dried latex paint.

Answer: Salicylic acid is actually pretty soluble in water -- the carrier they tend to use for these sorts of products is not water-soluble, however. Try dripping some on a similar fabric and letting it dry, then try to remove it with acetone, nail polish remover, Goo Gone and/or carburetor cleaner. What I've smelled with most liquid OTC wart removers seems to be ether, and the stuff that dries appears to be collodion.

Question: What's the relationship between aspirin and salicylic acid? I just learned that aspirin can be prepared by the esterification of the phenolic hydroxyl group of salicylic acid. What does this mean? The stuff I use for acne treatment contains salicylic acid, just how is it related to the aspirin drug in plain english? If it's the same thing, does that mean the powder in aspirin capsules can be used as an acne treatment?

Answer: No, don't use aspirin tabs on your face and don't take acne med for a head ache. The doses are different Aspirin is known as acetylsalicylic acid. Medicines containing derivatives of salicylic acid, and structurally similar to aspirin, have been in use since ancient times. Salicylate-rich willow bark extract became recognized for its specific effects on fever, pain and inflammation in the mid-eighteenth century. By the nineteenth century pharmacists were experimenting with a variety of chemicals related to salicylic acid, the active component of willow extract.

Question: Can a Salicylic Acid acne treatment loose its strength? I've been using the clean & clear advantage acne spot treatment for about 2 years now, and ive never purchased a new tube. Recently it seems as if, instead of clearing up my occasional breakouts, it's making them worse! I'm wondering if this could be happening because the tube is worn out and the salicylic acid has lost its 'acidity'.

Answer: HELLO THERE DUWOPPER, The 1st thing I want you to do is check the package for an expiration date to see if the product is still "in code"...in other words has the shelf life expired?? Did you know that an old medication that has been around for 2 years can change chemically?? Well it can.....and I am thinking that is what has happened to your product. It is probably no good so you should throw it away and buy something New.......... Maybe you should try the Pro-Active that is advertised on TV. I hear it is excellent. I want to wish you the best of luck with your predicament and may God bless and keep you safe.