Salicylic acid peels aren’t a new approach. People have used salicylic acid peels for more than 2,000 yearsTrusted Source in their skin treatments. The acid is naturally found in willow bark and wintergreen leaves, but skin care manufacturers can make it in the lab, too.

Salicylic acid belongs to the beta hydroxy acid family of acids. Great for zapping oil on the skin, when used as a peel, this type of acid is good for those who have pimples and acne.

Benefits

Salicylic acid has several beneficial properties that make it well suited for peeling applications. These include:

• Comedolytic. This is a fancy word that means salicylic acid unplugs dead skin cells and built-up oils that can cause acne blemishes.

• Desmolytic. Salicylic acid has the abilities to exfoliate skin cells through disrupting intercellular connections. This is known as a desmolytic effect.

• Anti-inflammatory. Salicylic acid has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin at low concentrations. This may help in treating acne.

Because of its beneficial effects, salicylic acid is often used by dermatologists to treat skin concerns like:

• acne

• melasma

• freckles

• sunspots
  
  
  
  

  Side effects

  There are some people who shouldn’t use salicylic acid peels, including:

  If a person has an area of skin cancer, they shouldn’t apply a salicylic acid peel to the affected area.

  Because salicylic acid peels are usually milder peels, they don’t have too many side effects. They can include:

  
  

• redness

• mild tingling sensation

• peeling

• greater sun sensitivity
  
  

  At home vs. in office

  Cosmetic manufacturers can legally only sell salicylic acid peels that contain a certain percentage of the acid. Stronger peels, such as 20 or 30 percent salicylic acid peels are best applied at a doctor’s office.

  This is because these peels must be left on for only a certain amount of time. A dermatologist must also consider a person’s skin type, color, and skin care concerns to determine what degree of salicylic acid peel will work best.

  Some skin care manufacturers may sell stronger peels, but they’re often intended for application on the body and not on the more delicate skin of your face.

  
  

  It’s best to talk with your dermatologist before trying any at-home salicylic acid peels, as you could unintentionally burn your skin. On the other hand, over-the-counter (OTC) salicylic acne washes from trusted brands are fine to use.

• people with a history of allergy to salicylates, including aspirin in some people

• people who are using isotretinoin (Accutane)

• people with active dermatitis or irritation on the face

• pregnant women