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
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
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
October 16, 2006
Product used: Stridex (Maximum Pads with Salicylic Acid, Alcohol Free)

Pros:

Works after awhile

Cons:

Harsh on the skin. PEELS!

This item actually works for acne, but it extremely harsh on the skin. It tends to make your face sting and burn. While using this product, my face peeled 2-3 times a week. It was tremendously embarassing. It will peels all throughout the mouth area. In my opinion, I think that there are other products that work just as well or even better, without drying out your skin.
This Was Helpful

Report
October 12, 2006
Product used: St. Ives (Medicated Apricot Scrub for Oily or Acne Prone Skin)

Pros:

Great scrub! Clears pores, removes makeup, leaves skin fresh! Fantastic for body acne or folliculitis/ingrown hairs!

Cons:

Can irritate inflamed zits if you scrub too hard. Contains salicylic acid... but this is the one salicylic acid product that does not make my skin worse! Price raised from $2.50 to $3.50 since new packaging, but still best product for the money!

I've used this scrub for years. I used to stop sometimes to try "better" or "gentler" products, and they were always more expensive and less effective. It will not completely prevent acne alone, so you do need to use a topical medication such as BP, but it is great for keeping skin fresh and clean. Sometimes when my skin is being overly sensitive I switch to using it only at night. It can be drying so I usually follow up by washing with Cetaphil. Great combination! The thing that I have been most thrilled with, though, is that since I started using this to scrub areas where I frequently have horrible, unsightly ingrown hairs- armpits, bikini area, etc.- the problem has cleared up completely! If, like me, you suspect that your worst breakouts are due to folliculitis (acne-like bumps you get in areas where you shave or tweeze) more than acne, give this a try! Keeping the hair follicles clean and clear may very well solve the problem.
This Was Helpful

Report
October 10, 2006
Product used: L'Oreal (Pure Zone Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser)
i've been using the complete line (foaming facial wash, toner, moisturizer and clearing gel) for about 6 months now. it helped minimize my break outs just a bit. it also dried out teeny tiny imperfections and made them disapper. BUT with regard to bigger ones, it dried out some of em but left ugly dark spots on my face. the moisturizer initially feels good but in the middle of the day, i noticed that my skin looked more oily. eeew. bottom line: i wouldn't recommend this product. i'm scouting for a better skin care line.
This Was Helpful

Report
October 8, 2006
Product used: Neutrogena (Body Clear Body Wash)

Pros:

lathers, clears

Cons:

none

loved it
This Was Helpful

Report
July 29, 2012
Product used: Aveeno (Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser)

Pros:

the bottle is nice

Cons:

the pump broke after a few weeks, it got stuck.
Dried up my skin and left it red.

I would not recommend it, I think it made my acne scars even redder and just made my skin dry and red.
This Was Helpful

Report
June 16, 2012
Product used: Clean & Clear (Dual Action Moisturizer Oil-Free)

Pros:

-very light
-good for summer
-a little moisturising and good for a little zits
-refreshing

Cons:

-doesn't moisturise your skin THAT well
-doesn't stay on for long
-a bit pricey compared to the price that other people paid.

this moisturiser is pretty good because it's very light! it's not like a deep moisturiser, and good for summer. i dont have any zits except the tiniest little ones, and it helps :) but i cant say much because i've only used it once
This Was Helpful

Report
April 9, 2012
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Spot Treatment)

Pros:

.clear
.easy to apply
.didn't make me break out

Cons:

.didnt help with my acne at all!
.stings
.smells funny

It didn't do anything! i wouldn't get this!!
This Was Helpful

Report
March 14, 2012
Product used: Murad (Clarifying Cleanser)

Pros:

nothing at all!

Cons:

broke me out
dried me out
made skin red and blotchy
ugh and a total waste of money

i bought this in january to finally acheive clear skin. Well clear skin my ass! this stuff made my face redder and drier. My main probolem was redness and flushing. After i got enough since to stop using this I have started using Neutrogena pink grapefruit scrub.It works good for me :) my skin isnt red and that makes me happy
This Was Helpful

Report
February 12, 2012
Product used: St. Ives (Medicated Apricot Scrub for Oily or Acne Prone Skin)
All the st.ives products are hell. They break you out and irritate your skin.
This Was Helpful

Report
January 28, 2012
Product used: Neutrogena (Oil-Free Acne Wash Redness Soothing Facial Cleanser)

Pros:

nothing at all

Cons:

caused more blackheads
did not help with breakouts... at all
made my skin even worse

Um... Neutrogena? I love your products but this one was a total fail. I was tempted to buy because of the reviews on the neutrogena website. but it was a hugeeeeeee mistake. It did the complete opposite of what it claims to do.
This Was Helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 325 326 327 328 329 … 375
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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