DIY Salicylic Acid BHA Serum
December 10, 2020 Written by GP Team
Salicylic acid became a very popular ingredient in skincare products because of its benefits to the skin, combats acne, and reduces inflammation, makes skin even tone.
In the market, the serums that contain this powerful beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) may be expensive due to hight popularity, but the good news is that you can make a salicylic acid serum at home, with few ingredients.
You’ll Need:
- Carrier oil
The carrier oil is the main component of the serum, so choose one that is specific to the type of skin you have.
- Jojoba, grape seeds, and argan oil are good for oily or acne-prone skin.
- Avocado, rosette seed, and sweet almond oil are good for dry or sensitive skin.
- Apricot and sunflower seed oil are good carrier oil options for normal types of skin.
If you want you can use two carrier oils (i.e. if you want the acne-fighting properties to take grapeseed oil and the moisturizing properties of almond oil). Just use half of each of your recipes, rather than the full amount of one.
- Essential oil
- Essential oils are completely optional and should only be added if you are not sensitive to fragrances in your skincare product.
- Choose Rosemary or Tee Tree Oil for oily or acne-prone skin.
- Jasmine and sandalwood oil are good for dry and sensitive skin.
Essential oils are good for all types of skin.
- salicylic acid powder
- vegetable glycerin
- Find a small glass bottle to hold your serum. The vial you choose should be able to hold about (90 mL) and should have a seal cap. You can choose one with a dropper cap or just a regular screw-on cap. The use of an amber glass vial protects your serum from harmful amounts of light.
- Add (60 ml) of your carrier oil to the vial. Measure (60 ml) of your carrier oil. Protect the bottle in the mouth of the bottle and pour the oil into the container.
- Add 20 drops of essential oils to the carrier oil inside the vial. Roll the bottle between your palms in order to mix the oils. Place the lid on your bottle and place the container flat on your palm.
- Roll it between your hands for about thirty seconds to blend the oils together. Make a paste of salicylic acid and glycerine.
- To use vegetable glycerine as a solvent, we have to heat it in a double boiler before adding salicylic acid. This will ensure that the powder is completely dissolved.
- Start with a tablespoon of the powder, then pour in about 1 teaspoon of glycerin.
- Whisk the two ingredients together until they are put together in a paste.
- Try to achieve consistency in the toothpaste. Add more glycerin if it’s too dry. Add more salicylic acid if it’s too runny.
- Add the mixture to the oil only at a 2% concentration. Ideally salicylic acid should never exceed a 2% concentration for a serum.
- If you want to add such a small amount, consider getting a measuring cup or using an accurate kitchen scale. Add (1.2 mL) of salicylic acid to (60 mL) of oil. Mix together all the ingredients.
- If the paste doesn’t mix well with the oils, shake the vial gently to combine them.
- Test the serum pH. The effective BHA serum is acidic but not too acidic. Buy the pH test strips. Insert one end of the strip in your serum. When the strip changes color, compare it to the color chart that comes with the test kit to see what the pH is.
- A serum with a pH between 4 and 5.5 may give your skin a gentle exfoliation. If the pH value is below 3.5, do not use it. This is going to be too acidic for your skin. You may end up damaging your skin.
- To Use wash your face with a normal facial wash to cleanse.
- Then apply an alcohol-free gentle toner with the help of a cotton pad and gently wipe the toner across your face, to remove impurities.
- When you’re done, allow your skin to dry for about thirty seconds before applying the serum.
- Squeeze a dime-sized amount of serum on your palm. Use your finger to apply drops of serum around your face. Use gentle, circular strokes to rub your skin with the serum.
- You can use it twice a day but not more than that.
- Wear sunscreen if you’re going to be outside after applying the serum.
- Salicylic acid can make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage.
- You should also apply sunscreen on any day you apply the serum and plan to be outside.
- Apply the serum first, then let it dry for a minute or two before applying the sunscreen.
- Store the serum in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Because the serum does not have a preservative, the contents of the vial can not be stored for an extended period of time.
- Keep what you’ve done in the refrigerator for one to two weeks, then dispose of it and make a new batch.
