Topical Keratolytic
Reviews
3.6
6049 Reviews
Topical Keratolytic
Efficacy
55%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Topical Keratolytic
Side Effects
Low
Topical Keratolytic
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.
Topical Keratolytic
How to Get It
This is an over-the-counter treatment. Here are some places you can find it online.
Read All About Salicylic Acid
Compare To Other Treatments
5
32.8%
4
28.4%
3
17.3%
2
10.9%
1
10.6%

Used Salicylic Acid? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
May 14, 2017
Didn't work
To put it simple, this did not help clear my blackheads or acne in general. I have normal skin and all this did for me was make my skin feel clean, and it did not break me out either. (I used it for a few months)
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May 3, 2017
You Can Do Better
I've been using this product for a while now and boy oh boy is it rough. If you have sensitive skin this is not the product for you because I don't even have sensitive skin and it's too harsh for me. It was so rough that when I would wash it off my skin it left my face feeling kind of raw and uncomfortable. It however does clean your face and somewhat get rid of blackheads, but who wants to buy a product that does not fully do what it is intended to do. You are better off finding a different blackhead cleansing scrub.
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April 23, 2017
HORRIBLE!!!
This product made me break out so much!!! EVEN in places that I had never broken out before. I do not recommend this product!
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April 20, 2017
I love them
I used this as an 11 year old girl and it worked for me just. I washed my face with dove bar soap then I used them before I went to bed and I woke up with nice clear skin.
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April 6, 2017
It burned my skin!
I used to use this all the time and it worked fairly well. Then, I ran out and started using a different oil-free face wash. Once I got more of the clear start, I tried it right away and the next morning, my usually clear skin had broken out horribly and in multiple different places all over my face. I figured that my skin was just getting used to the new face wash so I kept using it for about a week or two, but my acne just got worse and worse. I decided to go to my dermatologist to see what was going on and they told me that the product had burned my face and I ended up with 2nd degree burns under both of my eyes!
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February 18, 2017
Pretty Good
These worked pretty well for me for a few months, definitely saw an improvement fairly quickly.
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February 18, 2017
Meh
When I first started using it, it worked just fine and reduced the size and swelling fairly well. However, after about a month or so, it stopped working completely, and that was really annoying.
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February 18, 2017
Did not work for me
I have gone through so many acne products (this being my first product) and it was definitely the worst. As soon as I put the product on my face, it stung like crazy and my eyes started to water furiously. Since it was my first time trying acne products, I thought I was just being a wuss, but even after the pain and suffering for a couple of weeks, it still made no impact. Not to mention, it made me scared to try other products, thinking all of them would put me through that pain.
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January 2, 2017
Hyperpigmentation and the Inevitable Breakout
I originally tried this a year or two ago after reading about how salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide together help with clearing your skin. Initially, this product works- it does wonders for your skin and keeps you clear... but it also comes with a price. My skin became heavily dependent on the product, forcing me to use the product every morning and night under penalty of a major breakout if I skipped even the slightest little portion of my cleansing routine. Even with using this product as a weekly or even bi-weekly exfoliator, one can always feel confident to know that you will have a breakout of some extent the next morning. Furthermore, when you would inevitably have a breakout, your skin would be left with terrible hyperpigmentation, which to this day, nearly 17 months after a major breakout, I still have a lingering reminder of the Clean & Clear product that left my face a disaster.
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October 31, 2016
Don't waste your money or time. Horrible product.
Horrible horrible product. I used Arbonne Clear Futures for 2 months and my skin progressively got worse and worse. My consultant told me to keep going as my skin was "detoxing" and releasing all the chemicals from previous products. I started to get acne in areas that I've never had it before, I'm generally a T zone person, and I had massive lumps all over my cheeks- it was so painful and so emberassing. After I stopped using Clear Futures it took months for my skin to get back to normal. I continued having huge lumps on my cheeks, but they were definitely better than while using the product. Don't waste your time or money on this. So awful, painful, and expensive for horrible results.
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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.

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.