Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid is a special kind of acid that's used to help get rid of things like acne and dandruff. It's named after a plant called "willow" because that's where it was first discovered.

When you have acne, your skin gets all bumpy and red because there are too many dead skin cells clogging up your pores. Salicylic acid helps get rid of these dead skin cells by breaking apart a special kind of glue that holds them together. When the glue is broken apart, the dead skin cells can be washed away more easily, and your pores can go back to normal.

Similarly, when you have dandruff, there's too much dead skin on your scalp. The salicylic acid can help break down this dead skin to make it easier to wash away, and this can help get rid of the dandruff.

It's important to use salicylic acid carefully, though. Too much of it can be harmful to your skin and scalp. So make sure you talk to your parents or a doctor before using it, and always follow the instructions carefully.