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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May 25, 2016
Product used: Oxy (Balance Maximum Deep Pore Cleansing Pads)
its ok
I like this, it seems to work well. My only complaint is that it seems a little harsh for my skin, my husband likes that fact though
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May 6, 2016
Product used: Neutrogena (Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion)
Eh?
This didn't change my skin very much. It did help, but I wanted completely clear skin. It didn't clear a pimple in 8 hours- sad, I know, since there were at least 100 times when I needed that- and it wasn't as effective as I hoped. But, it did smell nice. Kind of citrusy?
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March 2, 2016
Product used: Neutrogena (Pink Grapefruit Cream Cleanser)
Ok
I used this a while back and haven't used it again. It was not the best treatment for me because I couldn't tell a difference ( after a while) . My acne is light right now, so you may need servere acne for this to completely work. It was ok, not great or terrible. It probably depends on the skin type.
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December 3, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Spot Treatment)
2.5 Stars
This barely helped at all and I think because it dried my skin so much, I just got more acne because my skin generated oil to moisturize itself. ****works well for short-term use**** If you need a quick fix, this is it. But don't rely on this for years, or even months.
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September 26, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Spot Treatment)
its alright
i have teen acne and it works at first but after a week or so it doesnt seem to make a difference on my pimples. but for drugstore i think tis work the money so im glad i bought it, i just have to apply it more often(every few hours)
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July 26, 2015
Product used: Clearasil (Ultra Acne Clearing Scrub)
Iffy
The scrub has helped some of my acne. I made my skin soft because of the exfoliating beads (which sluff off dead skin). But every time a pimple goes away, another one come back! It's annoying. I don't know if its working or not, because pimples are going, and new ones come back.
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July 17, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Clear Advantage Daily Acne Clearing Lotion)
Not a cure, but won't make things worse
Let me preface this review by saying that I have super sensitive skin. That being said, almost ALL moisturizers make my break out. This is one of the only products that does not do so. I will in no way clear your acne, but it's not going to make it worse (or at least it didn't for me.)
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July 13, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Spot Treatment)
50/50
I've had mixed reactions with this product, it recently helped reduce the size of larger inflamed pimples but on blackheads it's useless..I used to use this all the time when I was in high school and would slather it all over my face and it worked for very light acne. I don't know if they've changed the formula but I find it completely useless now. I recently tried using the product because of my past results when I was desperate for a spot treatment, however it went 50/50 on whether or not it would work. It never completely cleared a pimple or blackbead or whitehead, only sometimes reduced the size. I noticed it also made my skin more oily which did not help blackheads or whiteheads making them worse. This product may work for you like it used to for me about 6 years ago or it could be as I just described. It's worth a try but it's no miracle product.
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June 9, 2015
Product used: Neutrogena (Oil-Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser)
No
On the top of my bottle it says " results in just 1 day " is a lie. Had it for 2 weeks & see no results, just more red pimples. Might work for some people but i dont think it works , dont waste your money. I recommend the alcohol pads they have , ive had them before & they WORK. I just wanted to try something new. Im going back to the pads.
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May 14, 2015
Product used: Clean & Clear (Clear Advantage Daily Acne Clearing Lotion)
Waste of money
This product did nothing for my skin. It actually made it worse. It was very drying for the skin and make my skin red. I would not recommend to anyone with sensitive skin.
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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

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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