The following side effects are expected to occur in the first few weeks of treatment, and resolve with continued use of adapalene / benzoyl peroxide. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are severe and/or do not go away after:
How Common (based on clinical studies)
Irritation of the skin | Up to 32% of all users |
Tingling or stinging sensation in the area | Up to 17% of all users |
Skin dryness | Up to 11% of all users |
Skin peeling or scaling | Up to 4% of all users |
Redness and/or warmth over the area | Up to 4% of all users |
Itching | Up to 2% of all users |
Salicylic acid may cause some side effects that are serious. If you experience any of the following, get in touch with your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Changes in hearing
- Ringing in the ears
- Headache
- Confusion or dizziness
- Extreme fatigue or weakness
- Increased rate of breathing
If you experience any of the following side effects, stop using salicylic acid immediately and contact your doctor or get emergency medical care right away:
- A sudden appearance of swelling and rash (known as hives)
- Swelling of the eyes, lips, tongue, or entire face
- Severe itching
- Trouble with breathing
- Feeling faint
Salicylic acid may also cause other side effects that are not mentioned here. Contact your doctor if you experience any other troublesome symptoms when using salicylic acid.
References
- UpToDate. Topical salicylic acid: drug information. Available from: https://eresources.library.mssm.edu:3285/contents/topical-salicylic-acid-drug-information?source=preview&search=salicylic%20acid&anchor=F219750#F219750. Cited 14 March 2017.
- Moy RL, Levenson C, So JJ, and Rock JA. Single-center, open-label study of a proprietary topical 0.5% salicylic acid-based treatment regimen containing sandalwood oil in adolescents and adults with mild to moderate acne. J Drugs Dermatol. 11(12), 1403-8 (2012).