Ingredient · Morning or night
BHA
On the label as: salicylic acid
Clears inside pores; the go-to for blackheads and oily skin.
Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it gets inside the pore and dissolves the plug of oil and dead skin. It also calms the redness of small pimples.
A face wash with salicylic acid is the gentlest way to start; a leave-on serum or gel does more.
Who it suits
Oily skin, blackheads, whiteheads and small pimples.
How to use it
- A salicylic face wash once or twice a day, or a leave-on product once a day.
- Start leave-ons three nights a week.
- Follow with a light moisturiser.
Wash-off cleansers are fine; ask your doctor before a leave-on salicylic product.
What to pair it with
BHA + Niacinamide
Work well together
A strong pair for oily skin and blackheads.
BHA + Vitamin C
Use one in the morning, one at night
Vitamin C in the morning, salicylic at night, so neither irritates.
BHA + Benzoyl peroxide
Use one in the morning, one at night
A salicylic face wash with a benzoyl peroxide spot gel is fine; two leave-on products together dry the skin out.
BHA + Retinol
Use on different nights
Both dry the skin. Alternate nights, or keep salicylic to a morning face wash.
BHA + AHA
Use on different nights
Two exfoliants at once is too much for most skin. Pick one per night, or a product that already blends both.
Everything else pairs fine with bha: apply the thinnest product first.
