Can You Use Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid Together in Skincare?

Can Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid Be Used Together in Skincare?

With so many different active skincare ingredients available, it can get confusing figuring out what can and can't be used together. Two popular acids people commonly ask about are hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid. Can these ingredients be combined in the same skincare routine safely and effectively?

This article will take an in-depth look at hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid, how they work, and whether or not it's okay to use hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid together.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid (also called HA) is a hydrating substance naturally found in the skin that attracts and binds moisture. It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.

Many skincare products contain HA as an active moisturizing ingredient. Serums with hyaluronic acid help attract hydration to the skin and provide anti-aging benefits.

What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do?

Key benefits of hyaluronic acid include:

• Boosts hydration and moisture retention
• Plumps skin and minimizes fine lines
• Protects against moisture loss and dryness
• Helps repair skin barrier function
• Soothes and calms irritated skin

What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is a chemical exfoliant derived from willow bark. It dissolves dead skin cells and oil that clog pores to treat acne, blackheads, whiteheads, and minimize pores.

Salicylic acid is common in cleansers, toners, spot treatments, and peels for oily and acne-prone skin types.

What Does Salicylic Acid Do?

Key roles salicylic acid plays include:

• Clears acne and breakouts
• Exfoliates inside pores
• Prevents future breakouts
• Evens skin texture and tone
• Reduces blackheads and whiteheads
• Improves skin cell turnover

Using Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid Together

Now that we've covered the basics of these two skincare acids, let's discuss how to use hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid together.

Benefits of Using Both

There are several advantages to incorporating both hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid into your skincare routine:

• Balanced moisture and exfoliation: HA hydrates while salicylic acid exfoliates, providing a balanced combo.
• Increased penetration: Hyaluronic acid can help salicylic acid penetrate deeper into pores.
• Reduced irritation: Hyaluronic acid soothes the skin, minimizing dryness and irritation that salicylic acid can cause.
• Anti-aging with acne control: Together, they address multiple concerns like fine lines, breakouts, and uneven texture.

What to Keep in Mind

To use hyaluronic acid with salicylic acid effectively, keep these tips in mind:

• Use lower strength salicylic acid (0.5-2%) to avoid irritation when combining.
• Apply HA first to prime and hydrate skin before the exfoliating acid.
• Alternate days to limit potential dryness instead of using daily.
• Pay attention to signs of irritation or over-exfoliation like redness, stinging, or flaking.
• Always follow with a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
• Avoid applying to sensitive areas like the lips or eye area.

Ideal Products to Use

Look for gentler leave-on salicylic acid products like serums or essences rather than washes when using with hyaluronic acid. Some beneficial ingredient combos include:

• Hyaluronic acid serum + salicylic acid essence
• Hyaluronic acid toner + salicylic acid serum
• Hyaluronic moisturizer + salicylic spot treatment

Formulating Skincare with Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid

Understanding how to formulate skincare products with multiple actives like hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid is key for both product developers and consumers.

Here is some insight into how skincare chemists approach creating effective and safe formulas combining these ingredients:

Finding the Right Concentrations

The percentages of hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid must be optimized to provide enough of each active while avoiding potential issues like irritation when the two are combined.

Typical concentrations are:

• Hyaluronic acid: 1-5%
• Salicylic acid: 0.5-2%

Using a pH Balanced Formula

Getting the pH balance right enables proper functioning of AHAs like salicylic acid while maintaining skin integrity. The optimal pH for salicylic acid is between 3-4.

Adding Supporting Ingredients

Additional ingredients like soothing botanicals, ceramides, niacinamide, and antioxidant vitamins bolster the effects of hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid while lowering risk of irritation.

Evaluating Efficacy and Safety

Extensive testing is performed to confirm the chosen formula, concentrations, and pH provide the desired results without causing unintended side effects before finalizing the products.

Providing Proper Instructions

Clear usage guidelines help consumers use the skincare products correctly to maximize benefits. This includes direction on how often to use, recommended application order, and warning signs to watch for.

Products with Both Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid

Some skincare brands do manufacture specialized products containing a mix of hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid. Examples include:

Serums and Essences

Lightweight hydrating serums use lower percentages of salicylic acid along with HA for everyday use.

Pads, Solutions, and Toners

Pre-soaked pads, toning solutions, and astringents combine the acids to retexturize and tackle breakouts.

Gels and Creams

Lighter moisturizing gels and creams pair gentle exfoliation with boosted hydration for those with oily, acne-prone skin.

Masks and Peels

Wash-off masks and at-home peels offer more intensive exfoliating and refining with the hydrating effects of hyaluronic acid.

The Best Practice for Using Hyaluronic Acid and Salicylic Acid

While some pre-mixed skincare products on the market do contain both hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid, most dermatologists recommend an alternate approach for best results.

Rather than using the acids together in the same skincare step, it is advised to separate hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid in your routine.

Use salicylic acid products in the morning followed by hydrating hyaluronic acid serums and moisturizers at night. This provides the right balance of exfoliation and moisture.

Alternatively, you can alternate use of salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid products every other day. Just be sure to use the exfoliating acid first before applying HA.

The Takeaway

Hyaluronic acid and salicylic acid are two of the most multi-tasking ingredients in skincare. While they can be used together safely in some circumstances, the best approach is to incorporate them separately in your AM and PM routines.

Using salicylic in the morning and hyaluronic acid at night provides complementary exfoliating and hydrating benefits for clear, balanced skin.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.