Which ingredient is often added to concealers to help heal blemishes?

Salicylic acid is frequently included in concealers specifically to aid in healing blemishes due to its effectiveness as a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). This ingredient penetrates the pores and helps to exfoliate the skin, which can reduce the occurrence of breakouts and assist in the healing process of existing blemishes. By helping to unclog pores, salicylic acid not only addresses current imperfections but also works to prevent future breakouts.

While other acids like hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid provide various skin benefits—such as hydration and exfoliation—they do not specifically target blemishes in the same way. Hyaluronic acid is primarily a moisturizer, helping to retain skin moisture. Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), focuses more on surface exfoliation rather than deep pore cleansing and healing blemishes. Lactic acid also acts as an exfoliant but is generally milder than glycolic acid and tends to provide more hydration than focused blemish treatment. Therefore, salicylic acid is uniquely suited for healing and preventing blemishes.