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
January 23, 2008

Pros:

Feels awesome, lathers up nicely, clears skin up nicely.

Cons:

It's extra drying so I suggest using a moisturizer.

My favorite cleanser right now.
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January 19, 2008

Pros:

Tomato toner has nice smell, doesn't overdry sensitive skin.

Cons:

Peach & willowbark scrub did nothing. I have very mild acne and I found my face was greasier than ever using it. It was also hard to wash off.
Didn't notice any significant change using herbal blemish stick, either.

I just went back to my neutrogena foaming cleanser after about 2 months of the scrub. I still use the tomato toner. Was not impressed at all with the scrub.
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January 17, 2008

Pros:

smells nice, feels like it firms skin.

Cons:

contains isopropyl alcohol which is an irritant and I think caused me to break out really bad on this product.

The bad reaction I had after using this product made me swear off toners for a while. Try to find one w/o isopropyl alcohol if you had a bad reaction like me.
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January 14, 2008

Pros:

It is gentle on the skin and has a nice herbal/mint scent.

Cons:

Didn't work at all for me. The lotion felt too heavy than I would have liked on my skin.

It didn't do a thing for my skin except make my acne worse. I had to stop using it! It was getting to the point where I suspected that the lotion was clogging my pores and that the toner was doing nothing. I saw improvement in the acne on my back, so I stuck to the pills (I'm not positive they work for me yet), but my face was going nuts. I even noticed more blackheads. Not a good experience, but now I know that the product doesn't work for me.
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January 14, 2008

Pros:

cool packaging

Cons:

this product has burned my face. i can't put anything on it because it only make things worse.

i will NOT be using any Clean and Clear products anymore.
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January 7, 2008

Pros:

Best over the counter product on the market for preventing pimples from forming. It's available everywhere

Cons:

May dry out skin, I recommend moisturizing a few minutes before applying

Great for prevention and moderately effective on existing pimples
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January 6, 2008
I love the feeling of this cleanser, it smells rather good and it did not over dry my skin. If you are on accutane or some other medication and need something to wash your face just to keep it clean this is the product for you. It's not irritating and doesn't overly dry your skin.
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January 5, 2008

Pros:

Nice cooling sensation, pretty packaging, that's, good clean feeling.

Cons:

Doesn't really work... it may work at first but afterwards it loses its effect.

Don't use this unless you have really really mild acne that isn't caused by genetics or hormones, because this won't work for moderate -> severe acne. You'll need to see a derm if you have that.
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January 2, 2008

Pros:

-clears and keeps back acne under control
-affordable
-takes 30 seconds to apply

Cons:

-you must use it consistently for it to work
-took a while to start working

I absolutely love this cleanser for body acne. I've tried using benzoyl peroxide products but this is much better for me. I once stopped using it and my acne came back, then it took a long time to start working again. I'm so glad that I kept up with it though. This product is fabulous and I don't stress about body acne anymore!
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December 30, 2007

Pros:

Good lather. Dries up blemishes well.

Cons:

A little drying and the smell is kind of bad.

Overall, pretty good minus the smell.
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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.