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
November 11, 2008

Pros:

IT works and is affordable!

Cons:

Hard to find! Perhaps this item has been discontinued! :(

I use to break out on my forehead quite frequently. Every time a pimple would start to go down, another one would come and take it's place and the blemishes took forever to fade. I started using the 3 step product 3 years ago and my skin has been wonderful. I did find that the astringent can sting a bit. The lotion is great too! A little goes a long way! Use too much and it will hurt and cause your skin to dry.
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October 16, 2008

Pros:

very good on blemishes, dries them really quickly

Cons:

dries a lot!

this is a very good product to use, it gets rid of pimples fast. it does dry a lot so ony put it on your pimples. DON'T OVER USE IT ! your skin will look horrible.
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August 21, 2008

Pros:

IT WORKS!

Cons:

Must use a moisturizer, if not your skin will dry up and break out more.

My routine Morning: wash face with CETAPHIL gentle skin cleanser then wipe my face with (one) OXY daily cleansing pads maximum strength, let it absorb in your skin for 10 min then use CETAPHIL Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 for the day. Afternoon:splash some cold water on my face and pat dry. Night: wash face with CETAPHIL gentle skin cleanser then wipe my face with ONE OXY daily cleansing pads maximum strength and let the 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Medication absorb for 10 min at least. (most important) moisturize. I use Cetaphil ® Moisturizing Lotion at night cause it is to heavy for the day. ((Once every two weeks use a mask, I use a aztec clay mask for 30 min))((Exfoliate once a week by adding baking soda to your face wash and washing gently and letting it sit for a least 2 minutes) I SUFFERED WITH ACNE FROM THE AGE OF 20 TO 26 AND NOW EVERYONE ASKS ME HOW MY SKIN LOOKS SO GREAT AFTER 6 YEARS OF BAD SKIN. ACNE TOOK THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE AWAY HOPEFULLY I
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April 25, 2008

Pros:

After using it, skin appears clean

Cons:

Acne doesn't go away

Dries and irritates skin

I bought the daily face wash in hopes of preventing acne, and even though I use it two times a day, acne still pops up. It doesn't help get rid of acne like Clearasil claims. Instead of 3 days, it takes a week or more for my acne to subside. After I use it, although my skin does look clean, my face becomes sticky and dry and sometimes it itches on top of that. Bottom line is this product isn't right for me.
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February 21, 2008

Pros:

My acne is not severe, but I do get a lot of acne around the cheek area. Loreal basically controls excessive acne; however, it does not stop a pinmple from coming about. The toner is absolutely great! My skin is basically glowing.

Cons:

Does not rid of the problem forever. It controls how often you receive a pimple.

Its an alright product, not bad at all, but I just wish I can find something to get rid of all my pimples, not just control a few. The toner is super!
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November 20, 2007

Pros:

Gentle yet effective. Natural, nice packaging. Doesn't irritate your skin at all. All products work in a different way.

Cons:

Can get expensive if you use the whole line, need to use exclusively and not really incorporate other products. Need to use all the time.

Aveda is a great company, and they finally have an Acne product. It is natural, clean smelling and works well, but you do need to use it religiously and for the most part without any other products. I used this for about a year and my skin was pretty nice, with the exception of a few breakouts here and there. I did have to give it a good couple of months though to see great results. I also feel like it stopped working after a year. It is really gentle but it does keep skin clear without the irritation, redness, or dryness. I love the exfoliant pads - cut them in half and use them for twice as long.
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May 13, 2007

Pros:

Smells nice, can feel it working, drys out zits and not your face

Cons:

can be drying if you have dry skin,I have oily skin so it doesnt dry me out, I always cleanse, tone, moisturize anyway

This toner is amazing! I've been on Retin-a micro for a couple of months and my acne has finally disappeared and I needed some products that would keep me from breaking out. So I chose to cleanse, tone and moisturize with Biore. This is my first time using a toner and its AMAZING. It doesnt irritate my face and my face has gotten sensative from the retin-a, and my face is usually an oil slick but using this 2 times a day it doesnt get like that. I notice my black heads on my nose getting harder to see too! I've tried alot of cleansers and moisturizers and none of them has worked as good as Biore for me. If you have oily skin and minor breakout this toner is for you! I also use Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser, Ultra Pore Stripes + Pore Minimizing Lightweight Moisturizer SPF 15. I plan on buying some more products though, for occasional use :]
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September 27, 2016
Amazing Exfoliant!
People w/ sensitive skin, sorry, but this isn't for you. I have oily & acne prone skin. This product is vital to my nighttime facial routine i use to treat my acne. I use it every other day (I switch in between 2 exfoliants i use). I am drawn to harsh products, because i feel like they're the only thing that work for me. Everything else is "gentle & soothing," like...no... Products like that are a joke when it comes to my acne. My skin & acne are very stubborn, "gentle" just doesn't work.
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April 10, 2016
Bad for sensitive skin :(
Been using this product for at least 5 months about 1-2 times a week before i gave up. I thought this is good until i stopped using it. Makes my acne worse and pimple marks are still there. Doesn't reduced whiteheads nor blackheads. Everytime i use this i get new pimples which is painful. It made my skin dry and reddish. This done nothing good on my skin. ðŸ'"
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September 22, 2015
So far so good
I have had acne on my back (clogged pores, blackheads, whiteheads) for a really really long time now and I also have a skin picking problem which only happens when I am stressed, I've been trying to stop lately which has helped alot. Also I have been able to clear my back completely for a couple of months until I went swimming in the pool 2 months ago (chlorine) which caused my skin to become a disaster again! I guess I have really sensitive skin. Now I'm back at trying to clear it up again and I've read so much good reviews about his product that I thought I should give it a try and now that I purchased this product a couple days ago and Been using it, I have seen a difference in my skin just from using it for 4 days. I am excited to see how things get because I've been soo depressed because of my back and I just hope this product works well as I continue to use it :)
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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.