Excess Oil
Salicylic acid for blackheads
How BHA clears pores, and how often to use it.
1 minute to read
Why it reaches into pores
Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it can move through sebum and loosen the mix of oil and dead cells that forms blackheads. Water-based acids like glycolic mostly work on the surface.
How often
Start with two or three evenings a week and build up only if your skin stays comfortable. A 2% leave-on serum or toner is enough for most people.
Pores look smaller when they're clear, not when they're scrubbed.
Skip it on nights you use a retinoid, and always wear sunscreen the next morning.