It’s time to meet your new BFF – their name is salicylic acid. Despite its ominous-sounding name, salicylic acid products for acne are incredibly popular. If you’ve ever walked down a skincare aisle or inconspicuously took a look at your friends’ medicine cabinet for, uh, research purposes, then you’ve surely spotted it in the wild. If there was ever an opportunity to make room in your squad for one more – it’d be for salicylic acid, a key ingredient to fighting acne and blackheads.
What is salicylic acid?
Quick science lesson – salicylic acid is a natural molecule from the bark of willow trees that scientists discovered as an effective, active ingredient for skincare concerns. Most importantly, salicylic acid is good for acne. Having been used for more than two centuries, it’s part of a class of acids called beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), an oil-soluble acid that encourages dead skin cells to fall off so new skin cells can generate to take their place. Needless to say, salicylic acid is someone you’ll want to keep on speed dial when you’re looking for advice to swipe left on acne.
Who should use Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is a great go-to for those who have oily or acne-prone skin. Those with dry or sensitive skin may find salicylic acid to be too harsh, so be sure to patch test new products with salicylic acid before committing. Everyone has their own complicated relationship to their skin and acne – there’s no one-size-fits-all approach or solution. Like any skincare product, using salicylic acid for acne treatment should be done in moderation. Start using a salicylic acid acne wash once every three days – preferably in the evening, as you don’t want to expose your freshly-exfoliated skin to direct sun. Gradually work up to once a day if you find your skin vibing with salicylic acid products.
How does salicylic acid help with acne?
Back to that science lesson: since salicylic acid is a BHA (oil-soluble) and not an AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids, which are water-soluble), it can cleanse deeper by dissolving the impurities that are clogging your pores. A salicylic acid face wash for acne does a lot of skincare heavy-lifting: exfoliates dead skin, cleans clogged pores, removes oil, prevents whiteheads and blackheads, and helps clear existing breakouts. Once you find a good salicylic acid cleanser for acne, like our St. Ives Acne Control Cleanser, which is made with 100% natural tea tree extract and max strength, zit-zapping 2% salicylic acid – you’ll want to make room in your life for it.
What if I have a pimple NOW?
If you feel an uninvited guest coming to take real estate on your face, you can try to stop it in its tracks with a salicylic acid acne spot treatment like St. Ives Acne Control Spot Treatment. Made with 100% natural tea tree extract, it’s a 2% salicylic acid cream for acne that’s clinically-proven to reduce pimple size, redness and swelling. Plus, you’ll feel it work instantaneously, thanks to its cooling menthol – and even better – it’s alcohol-free (no over-drying) and designed for all skin types.
If you’re specifically looking to target acne, you’ll want to look out for products that contain salicylic acid, retinols, benzoyl peroxide, AHAs, neem extract, tea tree oil or licorice extract – talk about friends with actual benefits!
There are so many “a-peeling” things about physical exfoliation, and we love the power it has to make your skin feel refreshed. Our St. Ives Board-Certified Dermatologist partner, Dr. Claire Wolinsky loves the benefits of physical exfoliation as much as we do, so we asked her to share the advantages of this important step in your skincare routine, all year round!
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Fact: Working out is a great way to burn off stress and boost your mood. That’s because exercise has been shown to lower cortisol levels (aka the body’s stress hormone) and release endorphins (the body’s happy hormone). And when you do it in a park, the woods, a beach or any natured-filled space, you get the added benefits of nature!
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How do you deal with stress? If you opt for exercise, meditation, yoga, or journaling you’re on the right track. But do these activities out in nature, and their stress-lowering benefits go to the next level. In fact, just 15 minutes with nature is proven to have a serious de-stress effect!
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Curious to know why we love nature so much? Because it has serious benefits and is seriously fun! From lowering stress levels to boosting your mood, keeping you healthier to helping you focus, it’s the cure-all we all need to tap into more.
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The sounds of the waves, the sand between your toes, and all that sunshine. There’s nothing more relaxing than a beach day! But besides making you feel calm, there are loads of other health benefits of going to the beach. Here are some positive effects of being at the beach for your body and brain, and activities you can do while you’re there.
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Stressed? Feeling down? Need a little creative inspiration? If you’re wondering how to boost your mood, we’ve got a solution: Take a hike! Spending just 15 minutes around trees can give your brain a boost. Here are 4 health benefits you can get by hiking through a nature reserve, forest, state park, or any outdoor space that has lots of trees.
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Searching for new ways of coping with stress? Head to the park! It only takes 15 minutes there to boost your brain. Plus, exercising outside, instead of inside, increases energy and reduces tension. Here’s how to boost your mood with 5 outdoor activities that are perfect for the park.
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It’s no secret that we live for natural ingredients. That’s why we’ve made sure to include 100% natural extracts and exfoliant into our new range of St. Ives body wash! From orchid to oatmeal, shea butter to sea salt, get to know the natural extracts and exfoliant that give our body washes that extra zing of freshness.
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We spend a lot of time in the shower, but are you making the most of it? If not, we’re here to help! Whether you shower first thing in the morning to start your day or right before bed to unwind, here are some self-care tips for an amazing shower experience.
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It’s a no brainer to switch your wardrobe when the seasons change, but did you know that your body’s skin care needs change too? Keep reading as we answer all your seasonal skin care questions and offer ways to adjust your routine for hydrated, healthy skin all year long.
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There’s a lot of buzz around physical exfoliation, but rest-assured, it is an effective way to safely exfoliate your skin when done correctly!
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What is Maskne? Maskne (mask + acne) or acne breakouts caused by wearing a face mask is a real thing. Wearing a protective face mask is important for protecting your health. So, what can you do about some of the side effects of wearing a mask -- like friction, rubbing, and increased temperature – that can cause some issues for your skin? Luckily, taking care of your complexion and using the right acne products may help to prevent and treat breakouts and help you get your glow back.
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There’s no doubt that our relationship to our acne is complicated and borderline toxic. Like a bad breakup, acne often comes crawling back into our lives just as you think you’ve moved on. This time though – we mean it. It’s time to say goodbye to acne and hello to our newest zit-zapping line to help keep skin clear.
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We know the physical and mental benefits of being under the sun, but how do you go about having a glorious picnic, beach day or patio brunch while taking care of your skin? Not all SPF sunscreens are made equal – you’ll want to look for sunscreens for acne prone skin.
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Make room in your #squad for niacinamide. It’s part of the B Vitamin family (specifically Vitamin B3) that you regularly digest through a balanced diet of whole grains, fish, meat, greens. Beyond digesting it for your general health, it’s also becoming known as a hugely popular ingredient found in skincare formulas that’s effective on all types of skin of all ages. Niacinamide is, no doubt, an ingredient you should think about adding to your daily skincare routine.
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Have you heard? We have just been certified cruelty free by PETA! Our cruelty-free commitment goes beyond products to include the ingredients we get from suppliers. This means that no animals are harmed at any point in the process.
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From beauty editors to your BFF, everyone is talking about face mists right now. If you haven’t tried one, you’re seriously missing out! Have questions? We’ve got answers. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the must-have skin care product of the moment.
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While you can use a face mist anytime, there’s more to the story. And that’s exactly why we’re here! Discover the best times of day and specific moments to use a hydrating facial mist. Still not exactly sure what a face mist is? Check out our other article, What Is a Face Mist first
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Thinking about skipping face wash or moisturizer before applying your makeup? Think again. If you want a flawless looking complexion it’s not about layering on the foundation. It turns out the key is to start with clean, hydrated skin. Intrigued? Check out our top pre-makeup skin care musts!
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Congrats! You’ve found your favorite go-to products for your skin! Now, the next step to glowing skin is figuring out your skincare routine order. This means exactly when and in what order to use each one of your products. Sound confusing? We’ve got you covered, every step of the way, day and night – literally!
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Want flawless looking skin? We all do! BUT, did you know there are lots of little things you can do every day to help get there?! Here are 7 simple clear skin hacks you can try right now.
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Habits. For better or worse, we all have them. Habits come from laziness, regular repetition or when new behaviors become part of our day-to-day.
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Flawless skin doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it takes a little TLC. Bright like the sun skin comes from within, and this means hard work: ditch that soda for water, remember sunscreen #always and spare that extra five-minutes to take off all your makeup before bed – no excuses. So, no worries on how to achieve luminous, vibrant skin. We’re sharing some of our top beauty tips for skin, right here!
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Have no fear – we’ve done our share of research, and the answer is clear: post-shower is definitely the way to go. Sure, washing your face in the shower saves time but it can also do more harm than good – like, clogging pores with other products (gross) or drying out skin with hot water (ouch).
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Exfoliation is the removal of dead and the oldest skin cells from the topmost layer of skin and can be accomplished via face scrubs, facials or peels. Now, how often should you exfoliate your face? Skin should be exfoliated on a consistent and regular basis as dead skin can get trapped on the surface and cause clogged pores, rough skin texture, dullness, and breakouts!
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Everyone knows you’re supposed to moisturize your skin but what does moisturizer do? We know and are happy to share!
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It’s no secret that washing your face has been a no-brainer since rubber duckies were a part of bath time. It’s also safe to say that your morning and nighttime face cleansing sin care routine has changed a bit (ok, a lot) since then. So, you’ll want to make sure you know how to wash your face the right way. Let’s review.
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Textures, scents, and choices, ooh, my! We’ve all been there. What is the difference between a face wash, a face scrub and a face cleanser? Do you even need all of them? Not to worry, we have you covered!
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Confused by skin cleansers? We got you. To make the whole get-glowing-skin process easier, we’re answering some of the hottest questions surrounding the topic (what is a cleanser, what does cleanser do, how do I use a facial cleanser, how often…you get the idea) plus offering up a few ways St. Ives products can help you always put your best face forward.
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The sun is out and glowing skin is in…During July and August, summer skincare is as important as a swimsuit—and a specially formulated summer face wash is a must.
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Here's the thing: There are a slew of face wash and scrubs to choose from out there in this great big world of beauty. Why? Because there are many types of skin! Maybe you've already identified the characteristics of the skin you're in (definitely humble brag-worthy), and maybe not (no worries, you're still good). Either way, we're here to help you. Ahead, the best face scrub and face wash for all skin types.
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Avocado is so much more than a trendy toast topper! This creamy fruit is a total powerhouse when it comes to healthy skin benefits and achieving an instant glow. AND, the combination of avocado and honey is known to moisturize and heal dry skin.
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Who doesn’t love a cozy cup of green tea in the morning? Drinking green tea is one of the healthiest rituals we can incorporate into our hectic daily lifestyle. Starting your day with this super tea is something your future self will most definitely thank you for.
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Say hello to glowing skin. You can’t beat the deep exfoliation of St. Ives apricot face scrub for clean, smooth, illuminated skin.
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Curious about coffee's benefits to the skin? Well then, it may be time to infuse a jolt of java into your skincare routine.
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You might know skin exfoliation to be that thing that has something to do with face scrubs. Maybe you’ve heard it’s your ticket to fresher, more radiant-looking skin. Both are true!
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Winter can be harsh on your skin. From itchy and irritated to dry and dull, the coldest season is not kind to your complexion. But don’t let winter get you down!
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