Salicylic Acid
Results
Side Effects

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.

It's generally recommended to apply a salicylic acid-containing product 1-2 times per day, depending on your skin's tolerance and the product type.

3.6
6049
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Compare To Other Treatments
5
32.8%
4
28.4%
3
17.3%
2
10.9%
1
10.6%

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April 6, 2016
Product used: Aveeno (Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser)
Did Anyone Else Find this Really Drying?
I found it to be drying. Its one of those cleansers that I thought would work out well for me because i'm a big Aveeno fan but then it was just like...meh. Now,I always thought my acne prone skin was due to OIL and that I needed things marked "clear complexion" or "clear it up" etc. However, I now know that really my skin was just super thirsty so...do I think this product is terrible, no. Do I think it was right for my skin type- definitely not. Would it be helpful for someone with mild acne? Oh for sure. HOTTAKE: if you have genuinely oily skin OR mild acne and want a light cleanser that will suck the oil up and treat the acne - you could try this. But honestly, it's not really not amazing amazing.
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March 2, 2016
Product used: Clearasil (Ultra Rapid Action Pads)
Worked Well
I have used these before, and the worked well. Although, using harsh chemicals is not good for the skin. I used these for a while with zero problems, so do not overuse chemicals.
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December 23, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Blackhead Clearing Scrub)
not for sensitive skin
it was ok for me in beginning after that for while my skin got burned and got more deep blackhead acne..horrible!!
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September 17, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Spot Treatment)
pretty good and doesn't dry out skin!!
I have VERY oily skin and putting this on with my moderate/severe acne time to time it really reduced the size and inflammation. To be honest, most clean and clear products are false advertisement (trust me, I've tried almost everything), but this one worked well for me! I've also had my first bottle since the beginning of the year and there is still at least less than half left. that's pretty amazing.
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August 12, 2015
Product used: Neutrogena (Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub)
I used this before I knew how bad scrubs were for acne-prone skin
I found this scrub/cleanser to work exactly the same as any other salycilic acid product I ever tried. I didn't find the scrub too harsh, but it probably was making my acne worse. The smell was not really noticable. If your skin is acne-prone, it's probably sensitive and you probably shouldn't be using scrubs, because the irritation will make your acne worse. If your skin is oily, but not acne prone or sensitive, this might be a good scrub for you, as the salicylic acid will dry you out, and the scrub won't irritate you. Follow up with a moisturizer!
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July 30, 2015
Product used: Oxy (Balance Maximum Deep Pore Cleansing Pads)
Didnt Work For Me
Burned my face and irritated my skin. Most people se great results but not me !
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July 28, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Blackhead Clearing Scrub)
NOT FOR ACNE PRONE SKIN
This product is not made for persons suffering from mild or severe acne, it'll just make your acne worse and you'll break out like crazy. I'd recommend it to persons who only get occasionally pimples and only suffer from blackheads.
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July 24, 2015
Product used: St. Ives (Blemish Control Apricot Scrub)
Avoid if your skin is sensitive!
Gives you a real clean feel, but is quite rough on the skin and as being rough on acne affected areas can make it worse, I found this scrub was a bit too much for me.
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June 2, 2015
Product used: Neutrogena (Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Daily Scrub)
Breakouts.
I adore Neutrogena but I feel this scrub sort of sucks you in with the kitschy packaging and delicious smell. It is far too harsh even for minimal use. I would not suggest this to friends with sensitive skin. It gave me cysts. That being said, if you have normal or tougher skin I have had some friends who swear by it. Just not for me.
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May 25, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Spot Treatment)
pretty good product
This product was incredibly useful for a long time. It did a great job getting rid of small, non painful acne. However, the product had no effect on my larger acne, so when things got bad, this product ha do be discontinued. For those with mild or moderate acne, this can be very helpful for those small bumps or acne scars. :)
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website