The 10 Best Salicylic Acid Products To Banish Breakouts – 2022

Remove all acne and hidden dirt from your skin to make it clear, smooth, and flawless.

Medically Reviewed by Patrick, MD, FACS
By Oyendrila Kanjilal, Certified Skin Care Coach
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Blackheads, acne, and clogged pores are common skin concerns. These may be due to various reasons. However, the best salicylic acid products help remove the dead skin cells from your skin, reducing acne and pimples, improving healing, and making your skin clear by unclogging the pores. In addition, it also helps to tone your skin, prevent breakouts, and remove hidden impurities on the skin. There are countless products available that are formulated with salicylic acid, but not every product is ethical. So, here we curated a list for easy picking. In this article, we provide you with a list of the best salicylic acid products that you can easily accommodate into your regular skincare regimen. Check them out below!

Our Top PicksCheck Price
Best Dermatologist-Tested:Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel With Salicylic Acid
Price on Amazon
Best Lightweight:Paula’s Choice -Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
Price on Amazon
Best Long-Lasting:Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Serum
Price on Amazon
Best Organic:Tata Harper Clarifying Mask
Price on Amazon
Best Gentle:Biore Blemish Fighting CleanserPrice on Amazon
Best Fragrance-Free:La Roche Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser
Price on Amazon
Best Oil-Free:Neutrogena Oil-Free Salicylic Acid Pink Grapefruit Acne Wash
Price on Amazon
Best Nourishing:Corsx AHA/BHA Treatment Toner
Price on Amazon
Best For Acne-Prone Skin:The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Price on Amazon
Best Quick-Absorbing Formula:Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
Price on Amazon
Dr. Patrick Hsu, MD, FACS and an Houston based dermatologist says, “Salicylic acid can help remove debris and other impurities from the skin. These products can be added to your daily skincare routine to treat breakouts and other common concerns.”

10 Best Salicylic Acid Products To Try Out In 2022

1. Best Dermatologist-Tested:Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel With Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment

Normaderm Gel Cleanser is a deep cleansing gel-based face wash that is meant for oily skin. It contains 15 highly potent ingredients with salicylic acid as the main ingredient. Salicylic acid purifies your skin, unclogs pores, and removes oil. Take a look at the video to learn more about Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel With Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment.

Pros

  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Paraben-free
  • Suitable for all skin types

Cons

  • Can dry out your skin a little

2. Best Lightweight:Paula’s Choice Skin Perfect 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting BHA Liquid contains 2% BHA (beta hydroxy acid), better known as salicylic acid. This liquid exfoliant is meant to be used after cleansing and toning, so one bottle lasts for a long time. Soak up a little product on a cotton pad and apply it all over your face. Wait a few minutes before you follow up with sunscreen and the rest of your skincare routine. The BHA (beta hydroxy acid) gently exfoliates your skin and tones it evenly. Check out the video for an honest review of Paula’s Choice Skin Perfect 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Gets absorbed quickly
  • Minimizes enlarged pores
  • Evenly tones your skin

Cons

None

3. Best Long-Lasting:Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Serum

Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Serum helps hydrate and clear acne-prone skin. The gel gets absorbed into your skin, and its effects last a long time. It is a blend of salicylic acid and thyme extracts that exfoliate your skin to prevent breakouts. Watch this video for a detailed review of Mario Badescu Anti-Acne Serum.

Pros

  • Reduces acne
  • Prevents pores from getting clogged
  • Prevents breakouts

Cons

  • Expensive 

4. Best Organic:Tata Harper Clarifying Mask

Tata Harper Clarifying Mask is everything your skin needs to protect it from imperfections caused by stressors and free radicals. It evens out your complexion and has an enzymatic peel effect that helps reduce the appearance of breakouts, redness, and inflammation. It regulates sebum secretion without drying out or irritating your skin. It contains salicylic acid and other potent organic ingredients that soften, exfoliate, and nourish your skin.

Pros

  • Contains organic ingredients
  • Cleanses your skin
  • Does not dry out your skin

Cons

  • Overpowering smell
  • Expensive

5. Best Gentle:Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser is a unique formula that uses salicylic acid to control blemishes. This liquid cleanser is very refreshing and removes the dirt, oil, and dust that have built upon the surface of your skin.

Pros

  • Has a cooling effect
  • Dermatologist approved
  • Gentle on the skin

Cons

  • Not suitable for dry skin
  • Does not remove makeup effectively 

6. Best Fragrance-Free:La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser is a foaming face wash for acne-prone skin. It removes excess oil and clears out clogged pores that cause acne. It is formulated with 2% salicylic acid and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid. It is an oil-free gel that meticulously removes dust cell-by-cell.

Pros

  • Oil- and fragrance-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Tested for allergies
  • Improves skin texture

Cons

  • Can cause breakouts

7. Best Oil-Free:Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Face Wash is formulated using natural pink grapefruit extract, which contains vitamin C. Combined with salicylic acid, it clears out acne pores and accumulated dust and also reduces the marks caused by acne.

Pros

  • Contains highly potent salicylic acid
  • Oil-free

Cons

  • Not suitable for all skin types

8. Best Nourishing:Corsx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains both alpha hydroxy acid and beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid) that remove whiteheads, blackheads, and dead cells from your skin. This toner exfoliates and brightens your skin instantly. It controls excess oil and sebum production and nourishes depleted skin with its vitamins while hydrating it thoroughly.

Pros

  • Works on both blackheads and whiteheads
  • Nourishes and hydrates your skin

Cons

  • We need to use it at least twice a day to see visible effects.

9. Best For Acne-Prone Skin:The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that is a natural exfoliator and the greatest weapon to combat acne. This solution helps exfoliate the outermost layer of your skin and the inside wall of clogged pores to reduce the appearance of blemishes and improve the clarity of your skin.

Pros

  • Promotes clear skin texture
  • Fights the appearance of blemishes

Cons

  • Not suitable for sensitive skin

10. Best Quick-Absorbing Formula:Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

If you are looking for a serum to add to your night-time skin routine, add this serum without thinking twice. It is a crowd-puller because it is light on your skin, gets absorbed quickly, and gives you brighter and clearer skin the next morning. It combats excess oil secretion, open pores, wrinkles, and fine lines.

Pros

  • Suits all skin types

Cons

None

Common skin problems like blackheads, acne, and clogged pores can be controlled with the help of the best salicylic acid products. Salicylic acid is a wonderful ingredient that helps heal your skin, remove dead skin cells, reduce pimples, acne, and unclog the pores. These listed products also help to prevent breakouts and remove impurities from the inner layers of your skin. Salicylic acid products are available in different impressive formulations for targeted treatments, serums, cleansers, or clarifying masks. In addition, the products smooth and soften the texture of your skin.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Oyendrila Kanjilal, the author of this article, is a certified skin care coach. She sought the guidance of experts to provide you with the best salicylic acid products. She also browsed through hundreds of online reviews to pick the products recommended in her list. The above product can thoroughly remove dead skin cells, eliminate impurities, reduce acne, prevent acne breakouts, and unclog open pores.

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