Exfoliate and unclog your pores with salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, to treat oily and acne-prone skin.
With abundant skin care products targeting acne, oil and dead skin, you may need help picking one out. We recommend taking a glance at the ingredient list to narrow the selection down. If salicylic acid is at the top of the list, then you can expect the product to help treat oily and acne-prone skin, exfoliate and remove dead and dull skin.
We spoke to dermatologists about what salicylic acid is, its benefits, and the dos and don’ts of using this ingredient. We also compiled a list of salicylic acid products to incorporate into your skin care routine.
What is salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) commonly used for chemical exfoliation, according to Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. It’s derived from the bark of the willow tree, but it can also be synthesized in a laboratory, says Idriss. They dissolve the bonds that hold dull, dead skin cells on the skin’s surface so the skin will gently shed, revealing smoother, brighter skin underneath. Unlike water-soluble alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), BHAs are oil soluble so they can work on the skin’s surface and inside your pores, says King.
How we picked the best salicylic acid products
Although salicylic acid treatments are available at your dermatologist’s office or clinics, there are over-the-counter (OTC) options. When shopping for a product containing salicylic acid, our experts recommend considering the following:
Formulation. Salicylic acid can be found in many products, including cleanser, toner, serum, spot treatment and more. Whichever formulation you choose depends on your personal preference. For example, if you want to target specific areas, you’ll be more likely to choose a spot treatment. It also depends on your current skin care routine because some formulations may require nightly use only or may not mix well with other active ingredients.
Concentration. The higher the concentration, the more potent the product, according to Dr. Nkem Ugonabo, a board-certified dermatologist. The maximum percentage of salicylic acid in OTC products is 2%, according to Dr. Ryan Turner, a board-certified dermatologist.
Price: Since salicylic acid is available in drugstore products, many affordable options exist.
The best salicylic acid products
Below, we rounded up our experts’ favorite products containing salicylic acid.
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
This daily cleanser is recommended by Dr. Annie Chiu, a board-certified dermatologist in California, and Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, because it has 2% salicylic acid. The face wash is gentle enough to use twice daily to help reduce blackheads and breakouts while preventing new ones from forming, according to Garshick.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Facial Cleanser
This 2% salicylic acid cleanser helps combat acne breakouts and oil control, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nkem Ugonabo. It’s great if you have sensitive skin because glycerin is a main ingredient, which hydrates the skin by absorbing water, according to the brand.
CeraVe Acne Control Cleanser
This acne wash has 2% salicylic acid to help reduce breakouts and gently exfoliate the skin, in addition to oil-absorbing hectorite clay to reduce clogged pores, says Garshick, who also adds that the ceramides and niacinamide keep your skin from feel dry.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
This liquid exfoliant is recommended by Turner and Chiu because it’s one of the most effective products for exfoliation and addressing skin clarity and tone. It has humectants and antioxidants to not only hydrate and protect the skin but also to help improve the efficacy of the salicylic acid since it helps product absorption, according to the brand.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
If you want to target and treat your acne, try this water-based salicylic acid serum, says Chiu. The serum penetrates your pores to clear them and improve their appearance by reducing the size of blemishes and visible redness, according to the brand. For the most effective results, use this at night after cleansing and before adding your moisturizer, according to The Ordinary.
The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum
This formula has 2% salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid and zinc to help control oil and reduce inflammation, according to Turner. If you have normal, oily or combination skin, try using this serum daily during your nighttime skin care routine, according to the brand.
Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Serum
If you have sensitive skin, this serum from Glow Recipe may be the best optionit has encapsulated salicylic acid, which will help decongest your pores, reduce excess oil and, most importantly, minimize irritation, says Garshick. It also has AHAs, including mandelic, azelaic and succinic acid, which are gentle on the skin, making them suitable for sensitive skin, according to Garshick.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
This Drunk Elephant serum is recommended by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose because it has salicylic and glycolic acid. The raspberry extract also found in this serum helps clean pores, soothe the skin and target fine lines, according to Murphy-Rose.
SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense
To treat adult acne and reduce the appearance of fine lines, consider this serum recommended by Chiu, Garshick and Turner. The serum has 1.5% salicylic acid to help with oil and breakouts, but it also has glycolic acid and citric acid to address fine lines and help smooth skin, according to our experts.
Cetaphil Gentle Clear Mattifying Acne Moisturizer
This moisturizer, which has 0.5% salicylic acid, is excellent for oily and acne-prone skin because it won’t leave the skin looking or feeling greasy since it has a natural matte finish, says Garshick.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Cream
This cream helps improve skin texture, tone and smoothness, according to Chiu. It combines salicylic acid with ingredients like lactic and glycolic acid to help exfoliate and reduce the appearance of fine lines and dull skin. According to the brand, it has vitamin B5 (panthenol) and vitamin E to moisturize and protect the skin.
Dove Body Love Acne Clear Body Cleanser
This body wash is great for preventing body acne and is cost-effective relative to the size, says Ugonabo. The gel wash has 1% salicylic acid to exfoliate and treat acne-prone skin and ingredients like glycerin so that your body doesn’t feel tight, dry and uncomfortable after your shower, according to the brand. It also leaves your body with a subtle, clean and herbal scent, according to Dove.
Naturium The Perfector Salicylic Acid Skin Smoothing Body Wash
This fragrance-free wash comes recommended by Ugonabo because it gently exfoliates the face and body, leading to a softer feeling. It has encapsulated salicylic acid to help maintain pH levels, smooth skin, and decongest pores while leaving it without any dryness or irritation, according to the brand.
Neutrogena Stubborn Body Acne Treatment Spray
A spray form of salicylic acid can be beneficial, particularly for people who deal with breakouts on the body and aren’t able to shower right after physical activity, says Ogunabo. With 2% salicylic acid, the quick-drying and fragrance-free spray can clear and prevent acne-prone areas of the skin, including your chest and back, according to the brand.
How to shop for salicylic acid products
When shopping for salicylic acid products, our experts recommend looking for ones that fit your skin care routine and are effective without being irritating. Below, our experts share a few tips to remember when shopping for one.
Paired ingredients. Salicylic acid is usually paired with other ingredients, so look at the ingredient list while shopping. Dryness and irritation is common when using a chemical exfoliant, so it’s important to find moisturizing and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Some examples of these ingredients are hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide, according to experts. More on what ingredients to combine and what to avoid are below.
Concentration. Regarding salicylic acid, over-the-counter products range in concentration from 0.5% to 2%, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shereen Idriss. A concentration from 0.5% to 1% is typically found in cleansers and toners, whereas 2% is often used in spot treatments and targeted treatments, according to Idriss. If you’re just now introducing your skin to salicylic acid, start with lower concentrations and gradually increase to avoid irritation, says Chiu. If your skin can tolerate higher concentrations, consider using products that have 2% (the highest concentration allowed as regulated by the FDA) salicylic acid, according to Ugonabo.
pH level. You may notice some labels indicating the pH level when purchasing salicylic acid products. If possible, try products with a pH between 3 and 4 for optimal effectiveness, says Chiu.
Formulation. Salicylic acid products come in different formulations, including cleansers, toners, spot treatments, serums and more. In general, it may come down to personal preference and individual skin care concerns regarding which is most suitable, according to Garshick. If you’re looking for targeted treatment, consider gels, spot treatments or serums, says Chiu. According to Chiu, moisturizers, cleansers and toners may be best for those who want a more widespread application.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid?
Salicylic acid has a few benefits, so you might want to begin using them. Chiu breaks down a few key benefits of the popular skin care ingredient.
Exfoliation. Salicylic acid helps remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and prevent acne.
Anti-Inflammatory. Its anti-inflammatory properties effectively reduce redness and inflammation associated with acne.
Oil Control. Salicylic acid helps regulate oil production, which can help those with oily or combination skin.
Blackhead and Whitehead Control. It helps control blackheads and whiteheads by penetrating deep into the pores.
