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
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November 14, 2014
Product used: Clean & Clear (Dual Action Moisturizer Oil-Free)
Works well
This was my go to moisturizer for years, with a few drops of jojoba oil mixed in. My skin unfortunately is not longer a fan, but I still recommend this one as it served me well for so long. Goes on great over BP too!
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September 4, 2014
Product used: Biore (Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser)
Excellent for management of moderate acne
This product seems like a great cleanser for mild to moderate acne. Based on my experiences, salicylic acid does not completely remove acne; however it is extremely beneficial for prevention of new acne and to keep things under control. To be specific about the face wash, I would say it lathers quite well and produces a healthy amount of suds, very similar to plain soaps. The sudsing feature of the wash is excellent for people who desire a "clean" skin feeling or people who simply have oily skin. I would advise people with sensitive skin to look elsewhere as it does have a tendency to be over drying and can cause unwarranted irritation. The menthol in the wash produces that "tingly" feeling when using the wash. I don't think adding the menthol was justified as it can increase irritation when combined with salicylic acid and produces no benefits except for a cooling sensation. The menthol is the reason for the four star rating as opposed to five. Overall, this face wash is one of the better salicylic acid washes I've tried, I would not however recommend it for people with sensitive skin as the higher concentration of salicylic acid combined with the menthol may produce objectionable effects on delicate skin. I would recommend a recommendation of 1-1.5% salicylic acid for those individuals. For normal to oily skin I highly recommend this product and it can greatly benefit people with mild acne and control moderate acne.
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September 2, 2014
Product used: St. Ives (Blemish Control Apricot Scrub)
Ehhhhhh
I recently bought this through a friend's recommendation. She had mild acne before but now she has very clear skin. So I decided to test it out and the first time I used it, my skin felt really soft afterwards (like any scrub should do) but after a few usages, I didn't see it helping my acne, it even caused little bumps to appear on my face! I stopped using it on my face but I read from one of the reviews below that it works great for body acne. I tried it out on my chest and back acne and it helped a lot! However, I'm disappointed that it didn't do anything for my face =/
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January 25, 2014
Product used: Burt's Bees (Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser)
Broke me out! Read the description

Pros:

Does not smell terrible
Foams nice

Cons:

made me a little oily
Made me break out

Don't let this product scare you away from the Burts Bee's brand. I was shocked at how it turned out. Disappointing.
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January 10, 2014
Product used: Biore (Pore Unclogging Scrub)
Most Effective Drugstore Cleanser

Pros:

Keeps acne at bay
Soothing
Gentle

Cons:

Smells bad

While I'm currently not using this since I'm on The Regimen, I have tried more drugstore acne-fighting cleansers than I can even count. No single cleanser has worked miracles for my acne, but I am giving this 5 stars because this one has helped the most far more than any other. It's gentle enough to use daily because the beads are encapsuled and incredibly gentle. Even though the claim of the cooling/tingling feeling of getting into your pores is just a gimmick, it does feels soothing if your skin is irritated. Give it a shot. It's pretty cheap compared to other drugstore cleansers so you don't have much to lose.
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December 29, 2013
Product used: Neutrogena (Oil-Free Acne Wash, Pink Grapefruit)
A okay product

Pros:

Makes Face Feeling Fresh
scrubs away the dirt leaving face clean
easy to use

Cons:

caused burning after countinues uses
may leave scarring

When I first bought this product, it did help with my Acne and reduced the inflammation, but after just 2 months.. it actually started to burned my face so i reduced it by just once a day instead of the morning/night routine that was prescribed on the back of the product. It smells great and leaves you're face refreshing, but for some reason it will not control it... just make it heal for just a little bit.
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December 28, 2013
Product used: Neutrogena (Oil-Free Acne Wash, Pink Grapefruit)
Pink grapefruit review

Pros:

Smells good
Removes most blackheads

Cons:

Burns
Irritates skin
Doesn't remove acne

I have been using oil free pink grapefruit for a total of 3 days it has created a burning sensation under eyes on eye lids and I do not recommend this product. I have used this product, proactive and several other drug store products I recommend going to your doctor or skin doctor.
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December 10, 2013
Product used: Stridex (Maximum Pads with Salicylic Acid, Alcohol Free)
Wonderful!

Pros:

Easy
Take Anywhere
Cheap

Cons:

Drying

I've been using this product for a few years now, around 2010. I stopped in the summer of last year, because I thought my acne was getting worse. Then when I came to college, I needed something that would clean my face quickly, so I went back to the stridex pads. These are so quick and easy, they don't really burn, and you can take them anywhere with you. They're great for going to the gym, and work fairly well on the back or chest. I started using the stridex pads with the regime, and it's worked wonders! I have been on the regime for maybe one, two months, and I only get tiny pimples on my forehead or by jawline. I use the stridex pads with the neutrogena benzoyl peroxide, and olay all day UV face cream for moisturizer. You can get both of these at any drug store. Whenever I go home, my family and friends compliment me on how my skin has gotten so much better.
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August 27, 2013
Product used: Proactiv Solution (Gentle Formula)
Switching to Gentle Formula
I have used the regular Proactive products for many years(over 10 yrs), and have always loved them. I started purchasing/using in my early 20's, and I am now thirty-seven. I will admit, I use other products in between(NOT other acne products, just other skincare, as my skin allows), as I tend to use the Proactive when I'm having a breakout issue, usually during times of hormonal fluctuation. If I;m not having a breakout, I still use it once or twice per week, as honestly, Ijust LOVE the way it makes my skin feel. For those who may not know, Proactive is known to work better on acne caused by hormones, not on cystic acne, although some do find that it helps with that as well. I guess I use Proactive more as a 'medication', because I really feel that that is what it is. I know that most ppl who use it, use it all the time, but I just do what works for me. I have always used the 'original' formula, as my skin has always been combo/oily, however, at my age, my skin is changing some...still have the breakouts, but much less oil. The last three yrs or so have been rough on my hormones as well as my skin. This may be t.m.i for some of y'all, but I am scheduled for a complete hysterectomy in a few days, and I expect to have breakouts as well as other changes in my skin. I have ordered the Proactive Gentle System to prepare for these changes, as well as to start moving away from the stronger medications, i.e. benzoyl peroxide. I fully expect it to be wonderful, but I will post back regarding the new system.
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August 3, 2013
Product used: DermaDoctor (Ain't Misbehavin' Acne Cleanser)
amazing... If you give it time!

Pros:

EFFECTIVE!! even when using only once a day
Long lasting bottle, get a great amount for price
Completely takes away cystic acne

Cons:

smells kind of funny at first and stings at first
doesn't get rid of small congested pores
Must use with dry face

This by far has been the ONLY cleanser, let alone treatment, that has almost COMPLETELY eradicated my cystic acne. I still have small little clogged pores but using their KP duty on my face twice a week in the shower really exfoliates and helps to minimize the little bumps. This is by far the best thing plus a little goes a long way. I have been on the same bottle for 3 months and I'm only 2/3 through the bottle and I wash only once a day. Took about 2 weeks to see results but my skin has been perfect if I keep up use.
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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:

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