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It is normal to get worried about your skin and its appearance. Very often, when the skin is not cooperating, you may get agitated and annoyed.
A good skin care routine may help solve such issues, but the problem arises when you have to choose what products to use from the thousands of available ingredients on the market.
The products you may require depend on your skin type. If you are fighting oily skin and want to learn about the products that combat excessive oil production in the skin, having the correct understanding of active ingredients is important.
Unreasonable oil production can clog your pores and result in problems such as blackheads, acne, and pimples. (1)
Niacinamide and salicylic acid are very well-known and commonly employed ingredients in cosmetics for oily skin. However, even though both are useful in tackling oily skin issues, salicylic acid might be a slightly better option than niacinamide. Using them together can be great too!
Keep reading to know about the uses, pros, and cons of both salicylic acid and niacinamide.
Niacinamide Versus Salicylic Acid for Oily Skin
| Niacinamide | Salicylic acid |
|---|---|
| Niacinamide has anti-aging properties that can improve skin flexibility and elasticity. | Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and gets rid of dead skin cells. |
| Niacinamide has a good anti-inflammatory action, which can help treat acne. | Salicylic acid can be used to treat acne. |
| Niacinamide is helpful in the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines over time. | Salicylic acid improves skin texture. |
| Adverse effects that are most commonly reported with niacinamide use are erythema, pruritus, and burning. | Salicylic acid can have a few negative effects that are commonly mild and temporary such as erythema and dryness. |
Why Is Salicylic Acid the Better Option for Oily Skin?
Salicylic acid at 0.5%–2% is often considered the better option for oily skin due to several reasons.
First, salicylic acid, also known as beta-hydroxy acid (BHA), has been extensively used in acne treatment. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help calm down acne-related inflammation, which is common in oily skin.
Second, salicylic acid aids in regulating the production of skin lipids, resulting in decreased oiliness. It works effectively by penetrating the skin and targeting excessive sebum in the pores, unclogging them and reducing the occurrence of acne breakouts. (2)
Furthermore, salicylic acid has exfoliating properties that promote the removal of dead skin cells, preventing the buildup of debris that can clog pores and contribute to oily skin. By gently exfoliating the skin, salicylic acid helps to reveal a smoother and clearer complexion. (2)
Comparatively, while 2% niacinamide also offers benefits for oily skin by reducing sebum production, (3) salicylic acid’s oil-soluble nature makes it more suitable for penetrating the skin and directly addressing excessive oiliness.
In summary, salicylic acid is often preferred for oily skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties, regulation of sebum production, unclogging of pores, and exfoliating effects. These qualities make it an effective option for managing oily skin and preventing acne breakouts.
Benefits of Salicylic Acid for Oily Skin
Salicylic acid is the only beta-hydroxy acid that is employed in dermatological practice. It is lipophilic and is a very well-known active component in an array of OTC formulations such as acne cleansers, astringents, and lotions.
The benefits of salicylic acid are as follows.
1. Exfoliates the skin
Salicylic acid has skin-exfoliating action, which helps get rid of dead skin cells by removing the gluing substance between cells, making it easier to free your pores from these dead cells. (4)
2. Improves skin texture
Salicylic acid is also applauded for its function in enhancing skin texture as it makes your skin appear smoother. It also unclogs and constricts pores, thus improving the skin’s overall appearance. (5)(6)
3. Fights acne
Acne vulgaris, a common problem with oily skin, is either mild or moderate in most individuals, and salicylic acid in 0.5% and 2% solutions have been considered useful for the treatment of acne.
Salicylic acid is, in fact, considered better than benzoyl peroxide in lessening the number of acne lesions. (7)
Benefits of Niacinamide for Oily Skin
The nutritional value of niacinamide, or vitamin B3, has been well known for years, but what came into people’s knowledge only recently were the skin care benefits of topically applied niacinamide. These include: (8)
1. Improves aging facial skin
Topical niacinamide has been shown to be well accepted by the skin, and it causes a wide collection of improvements in the appearance of aging‘ facial skin such as: (9)
- Reductions in fine lines and wrinkles
- Lessening of hyperpigmented spots
- Resolution of red blotches
- Management of skin yellowing
- Improvement in skin elasticity
2. Reduces hyperpigmentation
Skin hyperpigmentation happens in multiple ailments. Topical use of niacinamide may be adequate in lessening epidermal hyperpigmentation and decreasing pigmented spots.
Studies have shown niacinamide supremely reduces hyperpigmentation and improves skin color and texture after 4 weeks of use. (8)(10)
3. Resolve acne issues
Niacinamide is a vitamin with a powerful anti-inflammatory action that could serve as a possible treatment option for acne, a known issue with oily skin.
Numerous studies using topical niacinamide shared a significant decrease in acne with niacinamide use. In fact, the results were comparable to those of a standard acne treatment. (11)
Is It Safe to Use Both Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide Together?
If you’re trying to find the right skin care products for oily skin, consider the combination of salicylic acid and niacinamide together. Integrating both these products into your skin care routine can promote good skin health.
Experts say that even though salicylic acid is amazing at reaching the pores to remove dead skin buildup and extra oil, it can be a little drying, which is why niacinamide can be a good agent to pair with salicylic acid as the former provides moisturization. Niacinamide may also aid in lessening any irritation that is, occasionally, caused by salicylic acid.
An analysis of a combined patch of salicylic acid and niacinamide reported the safety of using both ingredients together. It concluded that the mutual influence of salicylic acid and niacinamide is safe and good for the skin. (12)
Note: Mixing salicylic acid and niacinamide or layering them to apply at the same time is not recommended by professionals. To know how to apply both ingredients together, keep reading.
How to Use Both Niacinamide and Salicylic Acid in Skin Care
To get the most out of these amazing active components in your skin care regimen, it’s useful to use them individually. Here are some ways you can do this:
- Apply salicylic acid first and wait for 30 minutes before using a niacinamide product so that the skin can get back to its neutral pH after the application of salicylic acid.
- Use one of these ingredients in your morning skin care regimen and the other one in the evening.
- You can also use niacinamide in cream form and salicylic acid as a face wash. A study showed that a combination of a gel cream containing 4% niacinamide and a facial wash containing 2% salicylic acid resulted in positive changes for oily skin. (13)
What Are Some Side Effects of Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid can have a few negative effects that are commonly mild and temporary. These can be erythema and dryness, which can be controlled by the regular use of topical moisturizers. (5)
What Are Some Side Effects of Niacinamide?
Adverse effects that are most commonly reported with niacinamide use are erythema, pruritus, and burning. Most of them are mild and can be reduced via daily use as the skin adapts to it. (14)
Why Are Skin Care Products Not Improving Your Oily Skin?
When you don’t observe any improvement in the oiliness of your skin despite the proper use of suitable products, your oily skin is likely a consequence of an underlying health issue or some unhealthy habits you might want to analyze and modify.
For example, a non-nutritious diet or inadequate fluid intake could be the culprits of your skin oiliness. Increased levels of stress can be a reason too.
A dermatologist can discover the actual problem and suggest treatment options to manage your skin problems.
Most-Asked Questions
How often should I use salicylic acid?
The frequency of using salicylic acid relies firmly on your skin type and skin problems. Salicylic acid is commonly safe for use once or twice a day, as long as it is used as instructed.
Who should not use salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid should not be used on damaged, irritated, or infected skin.
What concentration of salicylic acid is safe to use?
A 0.5%–2% concentration of salicylic acid is safe to use.
Is 2% salicylic acid effective?
One research mentioned that salicylic acid 2% wash is moderately effective but less potent than a topical retinoid in acne therapy. So, such concentration can be a good option for oily and acne-prone skin. (15)
Final Word
Oily skin can be difficult to deal with as it can result in multiple skin problems such as acne. Salicylic acid is believed to be incredible for managing oily skin and its associated issues as it withdraws extra sebum and controls oil production.
Salicylic acid is frequently used with niacinamide, which is also known to control oil production. This combination can function very well for oily skin.
However, you may need the advice of your dermatologist on how to incorporate them into your skin care routine and how often to use them.
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