Salicylic Acid Acne Creams

Acne creams are the vehicle of choice for delivering powerful medicines to the skin. They specifically target the area where the problem lies. So if the acne is not widespread, in different areas of the body, an acne cream and an acne scar cream may be just what you need. Also, acne creams can fit handily into your daily face care regimen. If used regularly, acne creams can not only treat acne, but also prevent it. Furthermore, a good acne scar cream will protect the newly healed area from further damage and allow it to heal naturally.

The potent drugs in acne creams which are effective in the fight against acne are well known and well established. Retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, and antibiotics are described in on this previous page. Here we discuss salicylic acid acne creams.

Salicylic acid was isolated from willow bark in ancient times, as far back as the Babylonians. The bitter powder was used in herbal medicine to relieve pain and inflammation, whether in the body or on the skin. Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid and was isolated in the laboratory in 1828 by Leroux and Piria. The extract has useful qualities in humans, but salicylic acid also has bad side effects. It causes the stomach to bleed. Salicylic acid can also cause diarrhea and even death in high doses.

In plants, salicylic acid has numerous roles. Salicylic acid helps the plant to defend itself from pathogens, to grow correctly, and to pass on information from older leaves to younger leaves.

On human skin, salicylic acid encourages exfoliation by loosening the underpinings of skin cells. It prevents pores from getting clogged, and by opening up spaces among cells, salicylic acid encourages new cell growth. Unfortunately salicylic acid can cause dark spots on skin.

Salicylic acid is found in the bark of the willow tree, but also in the herb meadowsweet, and the oil of wintergreen. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in aspirin. That is why the “aspirin mask” is sometimes used instead of salicylic acid cream. Taking two tablets in your hand, and adding a few drops of water, is all you have to do to have a strong salicylic acid “cream” that is inexpensive and easy to make at home.

Pregnant and nursing women should not use aspirin or salicylic acid products, as it can harm their fetus. Children should not be given aspirin or salicylic acid products while having a fever, because in rare cases, they may develop Reyes’ Syndrome. Finally, sensitivity to salicylic acid can develop, so if using a salicylic acid cream, discontinue use immediately if allergies develop. Salicylic acid is also used in toothpastes, foods as a preservative, and PeptoBismol.

Acne scar cream

The only acne scar creams for which there is enough scientific backing are corticosteroids. These affect the progress of the inflammation response, which is ongoing even after the pimple disappears. Scientific studies have also been done on antibiotics (bleomycin, Triamcinolone, mitomycin, to name a few), on 5-fluorouracil (a chemotherapy drug), retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid. The evidence is not yet strong enough for a scientist or doctor to say these are real medicines for acne scars. Until a true medicine is found, it will be up to individuals as to what they use, as an acne scar cream.