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:

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January 26, 2012
Product used: Aveeno (Clear Complexion Daily Moisturizer)

Pros:

Fast absorbing.
Not oily.
Pleasant scent.
Soothing.

Cons:

Fairly expensive.

I've been using this for about a year. I absolutely love it. The last time it was on sale, I stocked up & bought two extra bottles for when I finish the one I'm using now. I really feel like it does everything it claims to do. My skin has improved significantly since I've began using it.
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December 1, 2011
Product used: Clean & Clear (Advantage Acne Cleanser)

Pros:

-Works quickly; noticed decreased pimple size within one use.
-Makes the skin feel clean and fresh.

Cons:

-Burns if you have openings on your skin.
-Dries the pimple and leaves it peeling.
-Leaves scars.

I first used the product before I performed in a show, I had quite a few pimples on my face and I wanted them gone quickly. Disregarding the warning that said to not use very often if you have dry skin, I used it several times in a day. I noticed my skin peeling after the play I was in (thank goodness) So if you have dry skin, I recommend using this product lightly. Whenever I use the spot treatment, it peels away the skin where the pimple was and looks awful. It also creates scarring. Other than that, it makes my face clear within a couple days!
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November 20, 2011
Product used: Clearasil (Ultra Acne + Marks Spot Lotion)

Pros:

Smells nice

Cons:

Made acne worse
Doesn't clear scars
Drys out skin

I only had one or two small pimples left but there was still scarring, so I hoped that this product would fade the last of my scars. But instead it made me breakout in the areas that I put it and dried out my skin. Doesn't really fade the scars at all.
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November 21, 2011
Product used: Clearasil (Ultra Overnight Lotion)

Pros:

-Smells pretty nice
-Nice packaging
-Moistuirizing
-not heavy
-works well with other overnight products
-helps eliminate pimples overnight

Cons:

-the bottle is rather small, and for the amount they give you, it's rather expensive..

Firstly, the negative part. Clearasil is incredibly stingy with how much they give you in each bottle for this product. I always run out in 3 weeks and i have to empty my wallet to buy it....but.. (positive part) it's almost worth spending all that money.. it works so well! It moisturizes my skin perfectly even with the 2% salicylic acid! I also think it has tiny pieces of glitter in it...which is nice because it makes your skin look bright and vibrant. so. if you have the money to blow, then this product is definitely worth it. but, if you're on a tight budget, you might want to look over the fact that it's a fantastic product and look elsewhere..
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November 13, 2011
Product used: Clearasil (Ultra Acne + Marks Spot Lotion)

Pros:

Smells good, reduced visibility of old acne scars, heals acne, used after face wash, lasted me a few months for a small bottle, contains salicylic acid

Cons:

Does cause some dry skin

This stuff actually helped my acne/acne marks! I have had mild to moderate acne for years and this stuff, while it didn't cure it, it definitely helped make my old acne scars less visible and works on my recent breakouts, too. I definitely recommend it!
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November 12, 2011
Product used: Biore (Pore Unclogging Scrub)

Pros:

smells great
can be used daily
the beads are gentle on skin
works effectively

Cons:

none

Loved it.... I found a review on the product at this blog as well [link removed]
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October 31, 2011
Product used: Neutrogena (Body Clear Body Wash)

Pros:

very good , keep me feeling fresh , my skin feels soft and smooth and fresher and shinning

Cons:

none

i got it from my fiance when she came from the usa she bought it for herself and gave me to try it , i loved it and now its mine but it will soon finish , i have to wait for her to send me another one or will have to wait till i get to the states , i dont know if i can find it here but not seen it yet
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October 11, 2011
Product used: Neutrogena (Oil-Free Acne Wash, Pink Grapefruit)

Pros:

Smells Nice

Cons:

Dries out skin
Makes acne worse
Caused weird rash

This is probably the worst cleanser i've ever used. The smell is literally the only good thing about it. It actually improved my acne for the first week or so i used it, but after that, i started getting deep, painful zits that would NOT go away. I kept using it for a little longer just to see if it would eventually clear, but after about 2 months, my skin was afwul. The acne was almost like a rash in a way. This could work for someone else, but it did NOT work for me.
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October 9, 2011
Product used: Clean & Clear (Dual Action Moisturizer Oil-Free)

Pros:

lightweight/doesnt feel heavy, makes my face smooth, slightly moisturizes

Cons:

Makes my skin read, burns, tingles, smells weird, small bottle, expensive, makes me break out in pimples more often, doesn't blend into face well

i have very dry sensitive skin, so i think this product is more for someone with oily or combination skin that isn't sensitive. it's hard for me to find products that work, but i would recommend this to someone with flaky skin
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September 22, 2011
Product used: La Roche-Posay (Effaclar K)

Pros:

- light to use
- helps agains oily
- not too expensive here
- postive effect on spots and pores
- skin feels soft

Cons:

none yet!

i do use a more rich cream for my eyes and nostril erea

I'm 33, and struggled with acne untill I was 30. I love the Effaclar K products for my skin which is not only vulnerable for acne, but is getting a bit older too ;) For me it turned out it was food that was my worst enemy!! I got that tested at a acne clinic (paid by insurance!) , and stopped eating the things that the test told me to. It worked within weeks end within months my acne reduced to 25% of what it used to be! After a few sessions at the clinic and still watching my diet, and changing my makeup (only mineral make-up for me!!) and good skincare products, it has now reduced to <5%. I have some breakouts now and then, becouse I didn't take care of my skin properly (foods, make up, cleaning, etc) but it doesn't get as bad as it used to get
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