Salicylic Acid EZ 10% Concentration, Irritation, and Combination with Azelaic Acid for Clogged Pores

Question

I read a recommendation that Salicylic Acid EZ can be used at 10% concentration for treating clogged pores. I would like to know: Is it necessary to use this high concentration (10%) for clogged pores? Will using Salicylic Acid EZ at 10% cause skin irritation? Are there any precautions if I want to combine it with other ingredients like Azelaic Acid in my formula?

MySkinRecipes Expert · Accepted Answer

Based on the conversation:

Initially, the staff stated that PE-1 Aqua actually makes the formula lighter and absorbs faster, which is contrary to the sticky feeling you experienced.

However, the staff later pointed out several significant issues with the specific formulation you provided that would cause the formula to be incompatible and likely result in the sticky feeling and slow absorption. These issues included:

Lack of a suitable emulsifier for a water-oil-silicone formula.
High concentration of Citric Acid (2%) used for pH adjustment.
Insoluble Salicylic Acid powder in the formula.
Using Cyclomethicone at too low a concentration (1%) to provide the desired smooth feel.
Using Licorice Extract above 1%.
The staff also recommended removing PE-1 Aqua, but the reason given was that it reduces the absorption efficiency of ODA-White Plus, not that it directly causes stickiness.

Therefore, the sticky feeling you experienced was not directly caused by PE-1 Aqua according to the staff's information, but rather by the overall problems with the composition and proportions in your specific, incorrect formulation. The staff has provided recommendations for improving the formula.