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.
Used Salicylic Acid? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
March 17, 2018
Product used: Murad (Clarifying Cleanser)
Worst
I used this for one day. Now three days later, I am still unable to move my face without pain due to severe dryness
March 12, 2018
Product used: Biore (Charcoal Acne Scrub)
BAD
Really really really bad, make me break out a lot!
lifesucksw/acne
May 6, 2018
Did your face break out right after using it?
March 6, 2018
Product used: Neutrogena (Oil-Free Acne Wash, Pink Grapefruit)
Burning Sensation?
PLEASE NOTE: The reason I'm giving this one (and a half) star is because it produced a burning sensation on my skin. My cheeks were very warm for a good five minutes after drying off with a towel and visibly red. (The one and a half star is for the grapefruit smell; It's really nice
February 23, 2018
Product used: Peter Thomas Roth (AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel)
Not for immediate results
I use this under my moisturizer during the day (with SPF) to combat any clogged pores coconut oil may give me. It works slowly in terms of clearing my skin but it does make it much smoother.
February 23, 2018
Product used: Neutrogena (Oil-Free Acne Wash, Pink Grapefruit)
Drying
This product is great for oily skin and removes makeup very well. I only use this at night before I begin my coconut oil routine. It leaves the skin feeling a little dry but that can be combatted with a good moisturizer.
February 13, 2018
Product used: Neutrogena (Oil-Free Acne Wash, Pink Grapefruit)
PEELING SKIN
Used this for a while and it started clearing my acne up very well, after a few days all my skin dried out and under my neck I had purple/pink patches, it was all dry and started peeling after this I realised it was all around my eyes and even in my eyebrows! DO NOT USE
January 30, 2018
Made my acne worse
A total farce - doesn't work at all. In fact I think it made my actual acne worse, which was a bummer since I was trying to get rid of all signs of my acne! Decided to go with my Ninja brand's bleach product with Kojic acid and that has really helped me a lot. Still not 100% scar free but I would say it has cleared up about 60-70% so far. Fingers crossed I can get to 100%!!!
January 25, 2018
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Spot Treatment)
Not great.
This product burns a lot, i have combination skin which tends to be quite sensitive, but after using this product for 2 days my skin has been dry and flakey where i applied the product, i don't recommend this
January 14, 2018
Product used: Stridex (Maximum Pads with Salicylic Acid, Alcohol Free)
Amazing for those with oily skin!
I have started using this product a week ago and have been noticing that now I do not wake up with a face full of oil, wanting to wash my face immediately. I also noticed that in the day, my face feels less greasy than usual. This pads also helped remove my pimple really quick. I had a small pimple at the side of my nose which formed a head and disappeared within 2-3 days! As for skin pigmentation, I wouldn't be too quick to judge as these takes much longer than a week to see changes. My regimen now is use a gentle face wash followed by the salicylic acid pad, benzoyl peroxide on affected areas and then moisturise my entire face. Yes, this can be a little drying but I feel the drying effect is not as bad as the benzoyl peroxide. I only use the pads once, at most twice a day.
January 12, 2018
Product used: SkinCeuticals (Blemish + Age Defense)
Ruined my face
I was given this product, along with the Retexturing Activator, by my dermatologist, for my acne. I had moderate acne with inflammation on my cheeks and jawline. I kept taking photos of my face for 3 months to see the difference, and it kept getting worse.
At first, I thought it was the purging phase so I was patient. But the acne got worse, I had inflammed red spots everywhere. Even when my face was full of acne (I've never in my entire life experienced such breakouts, by number and the inflammation wasn't getting any better), I continued using it because of all the good reviews I read online and because my derm said she wanted to see me after 3 months, so I decided to give it the time it needed to work. Except that it didn't. It ruined my face completely. I stopped it after 3 months of using it religiously, and when I went back to my previous routine, my face calmed down, but I'm left with scars and red spots everywhere on my cheeks.
Bottom line, it is the worst product I have ever used for my acne. Horrible experience. Couldn't even go out of the house without foundation, and couldn't look at myself in the mirror. That's how much it was horrible.
Let me just say that the very tiny places on my face where I didn't have acne (forehead and chin), the texture of my skin got better, so maybe it's a good product for people who don't have acne, but I don't know why on earth would they recommend it for people having acne.