If you suffer from acne sporadically or on a constant basis then chances are you have tried every possible product on the market. Drug store shelves are flooded with products that promise the world. And let’s not get started with all the commercials you’re bombarded with.
The problem is that most of them will provide very mediocre results and some can even aggravate the underlying issues. These are mainly a tendency for your skin’s pores to become blocked and your body to overreact to the presence of impurities, oils and bacteria.
One very effective treatment option is salicylic acid which is the active ingredient in quite a few skin care products. The main way that it works is by unclogging pores that can become blocked with environmental impurities or natural skin oils.
This allows the pores to breath and with other products like toners you can help those open pores to contract. The result is a far lower chance of severe outbreaks and a healthier looking appearance. When used as art of a daily routine this will make a huge difference even when you have a mild outbreak.
To help you find the best possible options, you can check out this guide where we list all the benefits of the most effective products available right now.
Top 3 - Editor's Picks
| Image | Product | ||
|---|---|---|---|
EDITOR'S TOP PICK |  | Misumi Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser
| Click for Price |
 | Exposed Skincare Clearing Tonic
| Click for Price | |
 | Avon Clearskin Professional Daily Correcting Lotion
| Click for Price |
Table of Contents
- Top 3 - Editor's Picks
- Effectiveness of Salicylic Acid Acne Treatments – What Studies Have to Say
- What Percentage Of Salicylic Acid Is Good For Acne?
- Potential Side Effects of Salicylic Acid Acne Treatments
- 10 Best Salicylic Acid Acne Products
- 1. Misumi Clean Skin Salicylic Cleanser
- 2. Avon Clearskin Professional Daily Correcting Lotion
- 3. Exposed Skincare Clearing Tonic
- 4. ClearPores Acne Treatment System
- 5. Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser
- 6. Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit
- 7. Neutrogena Healthy Anti-Blemish Salicylic Acid Cleanser
- 8. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
- 9. Oxy Deep Pore Medicated Pads, Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
- 10. L’Oreal Paris Go 360 Clean, Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser
- New Addition: Ponds Pimple Clear Salicylic Acid Wash for Acne
- Over to You!
Effectiveness of Salicylic Acid Acne Treatments – What Studies Have to Say
There have been several studies carried out on the effectiveness of salicylic acid. Time after time, these studies have demonstrated that this is a surprisingly effective treatment method for dealing with acne. One study looked at four other clinical studies.
One study even went as far to say that salicylic acid is better for acne than benzoyl peroxide [source]. However, the best ingredient combination for acne treatment, by far, is benzoyl peroxide + salicylic acid – studies have proven this. You should use this combo if you want to ensure that you are getting the most effective treatment, particularly if you are already in the midst of an acne flare-up as you do want something which is going to eliminate the bacteria which have started to reside on the skin.
Nonetheless, it’s perfectly fine to go for salicylic acid only products if your skin doesn’t tolerate benzoyl peroxide.
What Percentage Of Salicylic Acid Is Good For Acne?
You do not need a lot salicylic acid to clear your skin. It is a very powerful active ingredient. There have been studies carried out which look at the impact of 2% all the way through to 12% salicylic acid. And there’s little difference between them. However, if you have excessively oily skin, then you may want to opt for a more powerful product. Most studies recommend between 0.5% and 2% solutions as being the best for the skin without causing irritation.
Potential Side Effects of Salicylic Acid Acne Treatments
While salicylic acid is a relatively safe product to use, people do note a few side-effects from time to time. However, it can’t be stressed enough just how rare it is for these side-effects to occur:
- Skin irritation. This is probably the most common of side-effects. With this, the skin suffers from redness or inflammation.
- Dryness of the skin
- The skin begins to peel
- Itching on the skin
- Warm skin
- Swelling around the lips or eyes.
10 Best Salicylic Acid Acne Products
There are several different salicylic acne products on the market. I have gone through review after review to find what are regarded as some of the best acne products that you can use.
Let’s jump in to see all of them!
Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser
#1 Rated Cleanser for Acne-Prone Skin
The Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser is our #1 pick because it removes impurities, dead cells, and excess oil and boosts collagen building. It also helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles.1. Misumi Clean Skin Salicylic Cleanser
Misumi produces some of the most powerful and effective products for acne-prone skin available on the market today.
They use the highest-quality ingredients and are really selective about picking effective but also safe and nature-based ingredients to use in their formula.
The others just didn’t perform anywhere near as good as Misumi.
Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser is a unique and powerful combination of three active ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Lactic Acid. The three work together incredibly to unclog pores, fight acne, and heal damaged-skin tissue.
On top of that, this formula incorporates Lavender Oil which has great antibacterial and sebum-balancing properties. It’ll help to soothe the skin, calm breakouts, and prevent severe acne scars.
If you want a high-quality product for deep cleansing and getting rid of blemishes, Misumi has got you covered.
Pros:
- Salicylic Acid helps to clear the skin and reduce breakouts.
- Reduces redness and swelling
- High-quality, premium-grade ingredients sets it apart from Proactive and other tough competitors
- Glycolic acid deeply exfoliates, removing dead skin cells. AHA helps clear blemishes and reduce the appearance of acne scars.
- Unclogs and reduces the appearance of pores
- Contains Lavender Oil which is anti-inflammatory and great at balancing oil production and managing oily skin
- Lactic Acid stimulates collagen-building which helps to firm sagging skin and reduce lines and wrinkles
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Salicylic acid is a great exfoliator, but if you’re allergic to BHA, this product is not suitable for you. We recommend trying cleanser containing just Glycolic Acid instead.
- At $28.99, it is a little pricier than its competitors, but the 4 fl. oz. bottle offers a generous amount that is sure to last at least 2 full months and the results are definitely worth the extra money.
For optimal results, pair Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser with Misumi’s Pore Purifying Toner to tighten the pores and attack acne-causing bacteria. The two miracle-workers will help you achieve visibly clearer skin in two weeks.
Misumi also offers a 60-day 100% money-back guarantee policy so you can try them absolutely risk-free!
2. Avon Clearskin Professional Daily Correcting Lotion
While this lotion from Clearskin does not have a big ‘brand name’ behind it like some of the other products on this list, it doesn’t make it any less good. In fact, this is one of the best salicylic acid products on the market. While it has been, mainly, designed to deal with acne on the face, it can be used for most acne on the skin.
Pros:
- It contains the three most popular ingredients found in acne lotions. You have peptides, retinol medication and salicylic acid. There are very few products on the market which contain this much.
- It is fast acting and should be able to deal with most types of acne.
- This is a product that you can use daily. Not only can it clear up acne, but it will also be able to keep it at bay.
Cons:
- Some people claim that it makes their skin greasy.
- There are some complaints from people who state that it ‘dries out’ their skin.
3. Exposed Skincare Clearing Tonic
This product is loaded with the best ingredients that can help you deal with your acne breakouts. Of course, as with all of the products on this list, the main ingredient is salicylic acid. However, there is also some benzoyl peroxide thrown in for good measure. This helps the salicylic acid to really penetrate the skin and ensure that it is completely clean.
Pros:
- This is a clinical strength product, although you do not have to worry about getting a prescription for it. Many people report that it can deal with the most-severe of acne flare-ups.
- Has a few herbal remedies thrown into the product too. These are safe to use on the skin.
- Can deal with ‘current’ acne flare-ups, as well as keep future flare-ups at bay.
- Can help to rejuvenate your skin and keep acne scars at bay.
Cons:
- May be on the expensive side for some people.
- Some people report that it dries out their skin, although it is very rare for this to happen.
4. ClearPores Acne Treatment System
This is a complex system of acne-fighting products. However, it is regarded as one of the best on the market for dealing with acne. Not only will you find lotions in your ‘acne fighting kit’, but you will also find herbal supplements. These work together to ensure that the acne is kept at bay…permanently.
Pros:
- You get a wealth of different products in the kit. All of these have been formulated to deal with acne. Whereas one product can only do one job, throw the others into the mix and almost everything you need to fight off acne is there.
- It works with just about everybody. People notice ‘clear skin’ in as little as a week.
- The treatments are mild. This means that you will not need to deal with those awful acne flare-ups.
Cons:
- It is more expensive than most of the other products on this list. It does, however, come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- It does take a while to apply the skin cleaning regime.
5. Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser
While many people will use the Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser for dealing with acne after it flares-up, it is also gentle enough to keep acne at bay. This product is able to easily clear out the majority of acne-causing dirt and bacteria from the skin, which means you are going to end up with healthy skin before you know it.
Pros:
- It is incredibly effective at removing dirt and oil from the skin. In fact, it should be able to remove up to 99% of the grime, which means that your pores are going to be kept clean.
- Salicylic acid will help to eradicate all of that acne-causing bacteria, which means flare-ups will be prevented.
- It is an incredibly gentle lotion and can be used daily without any damage to the skin.
Cons:
- Those with excessively dry skin may find that this product dries out their skin completely. You will notice this after a couple of washes, which means you can stop using it pretty quickly.
- Some people do not find the smell that pleasant. However, do bear in mind that this product is for clearing up acne, not to ensure that you smell great!
6. Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit
This acne control kit includes three different products. You have a Benzoyl peroxide acne cleanser, a Salicylic acid acne moisturizer and a Salicylic acid acne medicine.
While you can use them on their own, they are best used alongside one another. This incredibly powerful combination of ingredients can start cleaning skin in as little as a day, although the product has been designed for long-term usage.
Pros:
- This is an ‘all in one’ kit. This means that if you are looking to deal with acne, you are only ever really going to need to have this!
- It is incredibly powerful. It uses the most popular ingredients for dealing with acne, which means that it should work on just about every single person out there, particularly if they are dealing with severe acne.
- This product uses proper ingredients. It is not natural in the slightest. It is a medicated treatment.
- It is quick and easy to apply. You only need to apply it just once a day, and it takes no more than a couple of minutes.
Cons:
- Not everybody will need the ‘three ingredient’ combination.
- Not everybody’s skin is going to be receptive to salicylic acid. This leads to irritated skin. If this happens to you, stop using the product immediately.
7. Neutrogena Healthy Anti-Blemish Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Neutrogena is one of the largest names in the skin care industry. It, therefore, makes sense that sooner or later they would release an acne-fighting product. This is it. There is one interesting fact about this product.
You see, while it is designed to deal with acne, it has also been formulated to deal with the signs of ageing. This means that it may be suitable for those dealing with acne who may be getting slightly older!
Pros:
- This product contains other ingredients which may also prove useful to the health of your skin. For example, vitamin C and E to help strengthen it.
- It is non-greasy. This means that it should be fine for those who are dealing with excessively oily skin. This means that you do not have to worry about the product blocking your pores or anything like that.
- Helps to protect the skin from UVA/UVB rays. This is one of the things that can really impact ageing.
Cons:
- It is one of the more expensive products on the market.
- Some people find that using this in combination with other products may cause severe breakouts.
8. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash
This is another Neutrogena product, although it is a bit different to the one mentioned previously. Rather than helping to deal with breakouts that you already have, this one is designed to keep future breakouts at bay.
For this reason, it is a very mild product which has been designed to be used on a daily basis. Many of the people who use this product find that they never even suffer from an acne breakout, it is just that brilliant.
Pros:
- This product uses a special ‘delivery’ method for ensuring that the salicylic acid is able to penetrate deeply into the skin. Quite honestly, it is one of the more effective products on the market in that regard.
- Quickly unclogs your pores, and keeps them unclogged. Use this daily and you will never have to worry about acne again.
- It is an oil-free product. This means that you do not have to worry about it causing issues on your skin.
- It is a very gentle product. Unlike some other salicylic products on the market, you won’t really notice ‘redness’ on the skin.
Cons:
- It may be a little bit too mild for those who suffer from severe acne breakouts.
- It is probably not going to be effective enough if you are amid an acne flare-up. You may want to look for other products in that case. It is brilliant at keeping acne at bay, however.
9. Oxy Deep Pore Medicated Pads, Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment
This one is a bit different to the other products that we have covered thus far. This is because it does not take the form of a lotion. Instead, it comes in the form of cleansing pads. That being said, there should be enough ‘pads’ here to equal the amount of cleaning that the other salicylic acid products that we have covered so far have.
Pros:
- This product comes in the form of pads. This makes it simpler to use than lotion. You just dab the pad on the impacted area.
- It penetrates incredibly deeply. This means that the skin surface will be completely clean. Since it removes most the dirt and grime, you are not going to need to worry about those awful acne breakouts.
- This is a product which has been designed for ‘daily usage’. This means that you do not have to worry about it irritating your skin over time. In fact, this product has been designed to keep acne at bay, rather than eliminating acne that you have already, although it is good at that too.
- It is brilliant for oily skin, which is very rare for a medicated solution.
Cons:
- Some people may not like the pads.
- It is not that great at eliminating acne flare-ups. It is more to be used as a ‘preventative’ measure.
10. L’Oreal Paris Go 360 Clean, Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser
One of the best things about this kit is that it comes complete with a ‘facial scrubber’. This allows the salicylic acid to penetrate deep into the skin. This ensures that all of the bacteria in there is eliminated. This really helps when it comes to dealing with acne.
Pros:
- Is the cheapest product on this list. If you want something that is effective without blowing a hole in your bank account, then this is the product that you want.
- Penetrates deeply into the skin. It can help deal with both current and future acne flare-ups.
- It works very well for sensitive skin. Although it has been designed for all skin types, those with sensitive skin tend to get the most benefit from it.
Cons:
- Not as strong as some of the other products on this list.
- Can dry out your skin
New Addition: Ponds Pimple Clear Salicylic Acid Wash for Acne
This is the one I’ve had great results myself. It’s a bit different from the other products so far. Rather than being a lotion, this is a herbal clay which helps to draw out all of that ‘bad stuff’ from your skin. This results in clearer and fairy looking skin. It does take a bit longer to apply, but it is very effective.
Pros:
- Eliminates excess oil from your skin. This ensures that your pores do not become clogged.
- Combines a multitude of ingredients which ensures that not only is your skin acne-free, but it also ensures that it is completely smooth too.
- Facial scrub ensures that the stubborn dirt and grime is broken loose.
Cons:
- Since this is a facial clay, it does take a bit longer to apply.
- Not as high in salicylic acid as some other products.
Over to You!
What do you think about this curated list of the best salicylic acid acne treatments out there? Do you have any questions about any of these products? Any recommendations you want to share?
Please share your valuable thoughts in the comments below!
It would have been helpful if you would have included the strengths of the key ingredients in each product. (It’d be even more helpful if the manufacturers would list on their products!) Still, appreciate the list & the intro about each key ingredient & how they function. Thank you.
Thank you! 🙂