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
July 24, 2015
Review
I was very disappointed with this product. I used it for about a month and only about 2-3 times a week, it broke me out very badly, even when i would be very gentle with it. It smells great but it certainly didnt agree with my skin. The price wasnt too expensive, so i am not overly disappointed in wasting the money. I will try this again when my face has fully cleared up.
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July 2, 2015
Satisfied
I use this product in the morning to hydrate my skin and prevent my pores from clogging. I'm using it with The Regimen and I'm getting better results. I think 2% would be to strong to use with benzoyl peroxide (before going to bed), but 0.5% salicylic acid is just perfect in this case. You should give it a try. I don't not use it right after applying benzoyl peroxide ! Just early, in the morning. When I apply BP I use a different moisturizer like Cetaphil or Cerave.
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May 28, 2015
Works for like a week
Initially liked this product but the effects quickly wore off - I do not recommend. Stick to a more healthy life style, with natural ingredients.
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September 29, 2014
not good
i use clean&clear for 1 week and i got very bad experience about it i got a pimple on face because of this face wash when i was using normal soap it was to good and i don't got any pimple but i saw ad of clean&clear so i thought that it will be good for me but now my face gone and their are small pimples because of your fake product will u help to make my face proper ill never use it again..
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September 14, 2014
Love this product!
When I have a pimple this is my go to product! I've used up 3 tubes of this and will continue buying it because it's brilliant! I can use this in the morning because it dries in a couple of minutes and make up can go right on top of it because it's translucent, I also use this at night. Once I put the gel on I can see in a couple of hours the swelling and redness has definitely decreased, depending on the size of the pimple depends on how long it can take to fully disappear, this product contains salicylic acid, which is known to help clear up acne and this definitely works for me, it dries up the spot and then clears it. All in all, I love it! Just wish it came in a bigger tube.
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June 11, 2014
decent choice for drugstore salicylic acid
I use this over other salicylic products for these reasons: does not contain alcohol, it is at the correct pH to be effective, it is not a rinse-off product, it is inexpensive and easy to find. I don't find it to be overly drying, but some people may find it irritating. I find that it keeps my skin smoother and clearer than when I don't use it.
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December 22, 2013
spot treatment wonder!!

Pros:

cheap
gets rid of all redness very quickly, within minutes
doesn't have a powerful smell and can be covered with makeup after it has dried

Cons:

may cause some dryness
if your skin is really sensitive maybe you shouldn't use it everyday

This stuff works wonders!! I have some red acne bumpy thingies with small white heads on top and this stuff made it go away over night nearly!! and after two days i had nothing left besides a few older acne marks. It does sting a VERY little bit for like 5 seconds...more like a cold sensation. love this stuff!!
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December 20, 2013
Good wash

Pros:

Smells great
Refreshes and brightens
Controlls oil

Cons:

Not for severe acne
Will probably stop working after a few months of continuous use

I have bad acne, I gave this product a try a few months back. It's a very good product in terms of making your face bright and smooth. I have oily skin and this product controlled the oil very well, but it did not help with my acne as much as i wanted it to, it's just good for once every few days to scrub and brighten the skin, but not as a good acne solution. I would recommend this to someone who has very little acne.
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November 10, 2013
my saviour
Im a 17 year boy, andive had acne problems for just over a year. I had very intense acne around my chin and neck area and used heaaaappps of differnt products. I evem went on medication (doxycycline hydrchloride) for 2 months and nothing worked. Then I discovered these badboys. After 3 days at least 40% of my acne has cleared and im so so so happy. Definitely recommend! !!!
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October 7, 2013
Been using for years

Pros:

non-greasy (cooling action feels nice)
reduces acne (the menthol has nothing to do with this)
relatively inexpensive, a little goes a long way (even works on body)

Cons:

not all acne disappears unfortunately, but I have tested it and it definitely works to reduce the acne
some people may not like the feeling of the menthol cooling their face
salycillic acid may dry your skin, but it definitely prevents grease

I have been using this moisturizer for maybe 8 or 9 years now. Other products I have tried either clogged my pores or left me feeling greasy. I like this product because after you put it on and it dries it is like it isn't even there. Your face doesn't look like it has lotion, but it still moisturizes you. It does in fact help to reduce acne. I have tested this several times by using it for a few months and then stopped using it for a few weeks. After I stop using it I notice my acne definitely increases. While it doesn't completely stop my acne, it is still effective in preventing at least some of the acne that would occur, if not most of it. What really helps is when I go to sleep at night I take an extra blob and dab it onto problem areas (cysts). The problems areas are usually reduced by the next morning. I apply it every time after I wash my face, which is usually twice a day and after a shower. It does not dry my skin anymore than it already is. In fact I could get away with only applying it once a day and it would still keep my skin from drying out.
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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.