Is Salicylic Acid Ruining Your Skin? Dr. Tuqa Explains Everything

Salicylic Acid: Skincare Hero or Hidden Villain? Dr. Tuqa Alobeidi Explains It All

Okay, let’s talk about something I’ve been hearing everywhere lately: salicylic acid. It’s one of those ingredients that has always been a skincare favorite—but suddenly, I’m seeing people swear it ruined their skin. What’s going on?

So, I did what any skincare-curious person would do: I asked the expert. Dr. Tuqa Alobeidi, our aesthetic doctor, recently treated a case that had salicylic acid written all over it…literally. And she had a lot to say.

Why the Sudden Bad Reputation?

According to Dr. Tuqa, salicylic acid isn’t the bad guy, it’s how people are using it. The problem? Overdoing it.

“Using salicylic acid too frequently or at high concentrations can damage the skin barrier,” she explained. “That leads to dryness, irritation, sensitivity, and even more breakouts.”

So the culprit isn’t the ingredient, it’s the misuse.

Is Salicylic Acid Being Overused?

Short answer: Yes.

Thanks to TikTok trends and DIY skincare influencers, salicylic acid has become too popular. Everyone wants that smooth, poreless look, but most of us don’t realize it’s a potent exfoliant that needs to be used with care.

What Should Salicylic Acid Be Doing?

When used correctly (read: not every day, and not in crazy-high doses), salicylic acid is actually a great skincare product to add to your routine.

Dr. Tuqa says, “It unclogs pores, targets blackheads, whiteheads, and mild acne. It’s a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that removes dead skin and improves texture.”

But here’s the kicker: it’s not for everyone. If your skin is already sensitive or dry, you might want to steer clear or at least consult a pro before jumping in.

The Most Common Mistakes People Make

Be honest (in David Beckham’s voice), how many of us have layered every “active” under the sun thinking more = better?

The two biggest mistakes Dr. Tuqa sees:

1. Using salicylic acid too frequently, which weakens the skin barrier.

2. Combining it with other strong ingredients like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, or vitamin C, which is like asking your skin to run a marathon with no shoes on.

Can It Actually Harm Your Skin?

Yup. Overusing salicylic acid can go beyond irritation. Dr. Tuqa warned that it doesn’t just strip away dead skin, it can also wipe away healthy skin cells.

This kind of damage leads to long-term skin sensitivity and increases the risk of developing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)—which is notoriously hard to treat.

Damaged Your Skin? Here’s How to Recover

If you’ve gone too far with the salicylic acid (we’ve all been there), here’s Dr. Tuqa’s gentle recovery plan:

• Stop all active ingredients—yep, that includes AHA, BHA, and vitamin C.

• Moisturize like your skin depends on it (because it does).

• Use sunscreen every two hours—religiously.

• Add Centella Asiatica (Cica) to your routine to help rebuild the skin barrier.

Basically: strip your routine back to basics and baby your skin.

Real Talk: A Case That Says It All

Dr. Tuqa recently treated a 34-year-old woman who was dealing with dark underarms. Her sister (with good intentions, I’m sure) told her to apply salicylic acid daily.

Well, instead of helping, it caused severe dehydration, stretch marks, and hypersensitivity to even deodorant.

Dr. Tuqa treated her with PB Serum Lift+ and a barrier-repairing routine, but the case is a perfect reminder: your skin deserves thoughtful, personalized care.

Final Thoughts: Should You Use Salicylic Acid?

Absolutely, but only if you understand how to use it and it suits your skin. It’s a powerful tool, but like all skincare ingredients, it doesn’t work the same for everyone.

If you’re not sure how or when to use it, talk to a dermatologist, or simply book your consultation with Dr. Tuqa Alobeidi. Because good skin isn’t just about what you put on, it’s about knowing why and how.

Catch you next time!