Referred to as beta hydroxy acid (BHA), it’s a multifunctional ingredient that addresses many causes of blemishes.  Dermatologists have been prescribing salicylic acid as an exfoliant, but it’s also an anti-irritant.  This is because salicylic acid is a derivative of aspirin (both are salicylates), and so it also functions as an anti-inflammatory.  Another notable aspect of salicylic acid for treating breakouts is its antimicrobial properties.

It’s also been documented that it can improve skin thickness, barrier functions, and collagen production.  As an exfoliant, in concentrations of 8% to 12%, it’s effective in wart-remover medications.  In concentrations of 0.5% to 2%, it is far more gentle, and can exfoliate the surface of skin. In addition, BHA has the ability to penetrate into the pore, thus can exfoliate inside the pore as well on the surface of the skin; that makes it effective for reducing blemishes, including blackheads and whiteheads.

[ Via Paula's Choice.com ]

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