What Are the Benefits of Salicylic Acid?
General Overview Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid derived from the bark of a willow tree. It has both cosmetic and medicinal uses. It is often found in skin care products because of its ability to treat acne, psoriasis, warts and other skin conditions. Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician, was the first to identify the bitter extract of the willow bark as a substance that eased minor aches and reduced fevers. It is probably best known as a component similar to aspirin, because salicylic acid is a metabolite of aspirin. Cosmetic Benefits Salicylic acid has many cosmetic benefits and is usually used to treat blemishes. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid works by causing the cells of the epidermis to shed properly. This prevents the pores of the skin from getting clogged up and being infected with bacteria. It’s basically a chemical agent that aids in the process of exfoliation by eliminating surface skin cells and opening up pores. The acid is also known to break down black
