Side Effects of Washing With Salicylic Acid?

Dear Skin Care Expert,

I am considering a new product for acne that has salicylic acid in it. I’m not very familiar with this ingredient and I was wondering about side effects. Are there any side effects to using face wash with salicylic acid in it?  - Scared about Side Effects

 Dear Scared,

You are definitely right to question the side effects before you begin using a new product that contains salicylic acid. Even though you probably have the package information, it may not inform you of what the side effects of using face wash with salicylic acid are. First of all, it is important to know what salicylic acid is and what it does. Basically it is a mild acid that works to help get rid of dead skin cells that can clog up your pores. Since it is an acid, there are definitely some side effects to be aware of.

One of the most common side effects that many people experience when they use face wash with salicylic acid is dryness. Usually, the dryness is quite mild and it can be taken care of with a moisturizer that is oil free. Irritation can occur to the skin as well when you use products, such as face wash, that contain salicylic acid as well. Usually the irritation is minor and can be cured by just reducing the frequency with which you use the product. If the irritation gets too bad, you should stop using the product altogether and consider using a different kind of acne product.