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Two is better than one they say especially when it comes to using glycolic acid and salicylic acid together. If you are trying to treat acne, reduce cystic acne, decrease oil production, fade hyperpigmentation, improve skin tone, improve skin texture and reduce facial warts, then this combination is for you.
To use glycolic acid and salicylic acid together, you should use them on separate days – if you have them in separate bottles; to avoid any irritation to your skin. You don’t want any damage to your skin barrier while trying to treat your skin concern. But if the serum you have has both salicylic acid and glycolic acid in its formulation, then go for it.
For example, you can use glycolic acid on Monday, Wednesday or Friday night. Then use your Salicylic acid on Tuesday and/or Thursday night to prevent any skin irritation if your are just getting started. Don’t forget to always wear your sunscreens; it’s very important.
This blog post is just getting started, I will take you through which to choose between glycolic acid or Salicylic acid for your skin concern. But first, let’s learn about both ingredients individually.

What Is Glycolic Acid?
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) derived from sugar cane. Glycolic acid reacts on the surface of the skin to dissolve sebum and other substances that bind the dead cells together. Here’s how glycolic acid benefits the skin:
- Exfoliation: Glycolic acid gently exfoliates by sloughing off dead skin cells and clearing up blocked pores to reveal smoother, brighter and younger-looking skin.
- Brightening: By promoting cell turnover, glycolic acid helps fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage.
- Anti-Aging: Regular use of glycolic acid can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production.
You may also be interested in reading what can be paired and not paired with glycolic acid
What Is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that is oil-soluble, making it particularly effective for oily and acne-prone skin. It penetrates deep into the pores to clear out excess oil and dead skin cells. The benefits of salicylic acid include:
- Deep Pore Cleansing: Salicylic acid helps unclog pores, reducing the occurrence of blackheads and whiteheads.
- Anti-Inflammatory: It has soothing properties that can reduce redness and inflammation, making it ideal for acne-prone skin.
- Oil Control: By penetrating deep into the pores, salicylic acid helps regulate sebum production, keeping the skin less oily.
Salicylic acid is most effective when it is applied continually after the acne has cleared, best for treating acne scars. You may also be interested in what can be paired and not paired with salicylic acid.
What Is Better, Glycolic Acid or Salicylic Acid?
This answer depends on what skin condition you are treating. Could it be acne, pigmentation, aging, oily skin, and so on? When it comes to glycolic acid, no two products are alike. For instance, if you see The Ordinary Glycolic acid 7% and the Inkey List Glycolic acid, their PH are different. The performance of glycolic acid in terms of exfoliating is influenced by the PH.
The other thing that influences the performance of glycolic acid are other ingredients paired with it. They may slow down or hasten the penetration of glycolic acid into the skin. This may cause varying outcomes on the effectiveness of glycolic acid.
Now that you know all about glycolic acid and salicylic acid, which one should you choose? Both ingredients tend to overlap in some of the same skin conditions. But here is how to choose which is better between glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid For Acne

When it comes to acne, Salicylic acid is much better because it localizes where acne is – which is within the pore and it is an over-the-counter approved medication for acne. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it is attracted to the oilier part of your skin and it goes deep into your pores to bring out dirt, and gunks inside the pores. Thereby improving blackheads and whiteheads.
Glycolic acid on the other hand treats acne by preventing your skin cells from clogging together and opening space for easy penetration of other ingredients like retinol to take care of acne. So glycolic acid may not be directly involved with acne but it helps other ingredients penetrate better.
So if you want to choose either glycolic acid or salicylic acid for acne – Go for Salicylic acid.
Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid For Hyperpigmentation

This is a battle because glycolic acid and salicylic acid fight equally for this position. Salicylic acid, due to its anti-inflammatory effect helps with hyperpigmentation and it does not make your skin sensitive to the sun like glycolic acid does.
Glycolic acid is also helpful for hyperpigmentation but it makes your skin sensitive to the sun. This is why it is advisable to use glycolic acid at night rather than morning.
So if you want to choose either glycolic acid or salicylic acid for hyperpigmentation – Go for Salicylic acid.
Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid For Sun Spots Or Age Spots

For sun spots or age spots, you might want to choose glycolic acid over salicylic acid because it is water soluble and can go deep into the epidermis to reduce melanin production. Salicylic acid could also help with sun spots so the choice between those two depends on you.
In my opinion, I would pick glycolic acid over salicylic acid for sun spots or age spots.
Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid In Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should lean towards glycolic acid over salicylic acid. Glycolic acid is 100% safe to use when pregnant than Salicylic acid.
Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid For Dark-Skinned Tones

While salicylic acid is suitable for all skin types. Glycolic acid may or may not be great for those with dark skin tones. This is because glycolic acid is a very small acid and can penetrate the skin easily which can make it aggressive and may cause hypersensitivity to the sun leading to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
In my opinion, before using glycolic acid as a dark-skinned person, ensure you do a patch test. If you have any irritation, you may opt for salicylic acid instead. Otherwise, start with the lowest concentration of glycolic acid. See how your skin reacts.
Always use glycolic acid and wear a sunscreen.
Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid For Hair Follicles

For the scalp, use products containing salicylic acid. It is formulated in shampoos. The scalp has the highest density of hair follicles so salicylic acid can get in there and help product build-up, dandruff, and in-grown hairs. Salicylic acid can penetrate the hair pores more easily than glycolic acid due to its oiliness.
Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid For Fine Lines/Wrinkles

For fine lines/wrinkles, use glycolic acid because it boosts collagen production by triggering collagen proteins called fibroblasts. With its ability to exfoliate at the surface level, it minimizes fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin texture and tones your skin.
Salicylic acid, on the other hand, does not boost collagen production. Its main function is to go deep into your pores to treat blackheads, whiteheads, and breakouts and minimize acne.
Glycolic Acid Vs Salicylic Acid For Beginners
Over-the-counter glycolic acid is between 5-20%. Medium strengths are between 8 – 10% and high is 10-20%. For beginners, go for 5-7% and ensure you patch test before starting.
Salicylic over-the-counter is between 0.5-2% and is suitable for daily use. While 1-2% may not be suitable for daily use. For beginners start with 0.5-2% salicylic acid.
Can I Use Glycolic Acid And Salicylic Acid Together?
If glycolic acid and salicylic acid are both formulated in a single serum, just like the products shown below; then yes you can use them together. Otherwise, it is best to use them in separate routines to avoid skin irritation.
A study actually used both glycolic acid and salicylic acid serum on 66 patients. They were asked to apply the serum at night for two weeks and they saw noticeable results. Over 90% had improvement in acne with decreased comedonal and cystic acne. In addition to that, 70-80% had decreased oiliness, even skin texture and smoother-looking skin. One patient, however, reported itchiness and discontinued using the serum.
The glycolic acid and salicylic acid combination has also been used to treat facial flat warts. A study of 20 patients with facial warts showed that a glycolic acid and salicylic acid combination cleared up facial flat warts when used once daily.
PRODUCTS CONTAINING GLYCOLIC ACID AND SALICYLIC ACID