What Is It?
Widely available in over-the-counter skin care products in 0.5 – 2% strength, salicylic acid helps shed skin cells as well as reduce inflammation in the skin.
Efficacy
Strength of Evidence
Average 55% reduction in acne after 4 weeks
Side Effects
Low
Low side effects and adverse reactions
Acne.org's Real World Take
Easy to find and with low side effects, but don’t be surprised if you are left wishing for better results after using it for a while. Any acid on its own is unlikely to dramatically clear acne.