16 Best Salicylic Acid Products to Target and Clear Breakouts

The Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant has become a modern classic for its fluid-like feel and skin texture-refining formulation. This gentle yet effective leave-on treatment contains 2% salicylic acid to visibly unclog pores and fade the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars without causing undue irritation. Additionally, ingredients like soothing green tea leaf extract and moisturizing butylene glycol contribute to a dewier, more radiant complexion.

Allure's commerce editor Sarah Han said this of the liquid exfoliant: "Ever since I started using this as my nighttime toner, I've noticed that my serums and moisturizers don't feel as sticky or heavy, which means they're absorbing faster and more deeply post-exfoliant."

Got a particular spot you're trying to address? According to Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, Murad's Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment will do just the trick, thanks to its potent 2% salicylic acid-powered formula — no wonder it won an Allure Best of Beauty Award. "Murad's Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment contains salicylic acid and witch hazel in a lightweight gel-cream formula with skin soothing extracts of oat, pine and thyme to reduce irritation," she says. Sure, it contains the highest percentage of the active ingredient allowed on the market, but don't expect its ultra light formula to dry out your skin, thanks to all of the irritation-soothing and moisture-replenishing additives spiked in its gel formula.

If body acne is a concern of yours, don't sweat it, because Dr. Murphy-Rose says the Glytone Acne Back & Chest Treatment Spray will tackle any form of breakouts on your body to leave skin feeling smooth and bump-free. "This spray delivers the breakout-fighting benefits of salicylic acid in a spray form that's especially useful for treating hard to hard-to-reach, acne-prone areas like the back," she says. Dr. Murphy-Rose also loves that Glytone recently updated the spray's packaging to enable spraying when the bottle is upside down, so expect all your hard-to-reach areas to be covered.

All we've ever wanted is a moisturizer that provides long-lasting hydration without leaving a heavy, greasy finish or noticeable shine in its wake. Korres' Santorini Grape Poreless Skin Cream does this and more — you have Santorini grape extract to thank for its pore-blurring abilities. This lightweight gel moisturizer is almost like a filter in a tub, which is clutch for days you can't be bothered to wear makeup (or just don't care to). Of course, there's also salicylic acid and willowherb extract to flush out your pores and heal active blemishes. Add your sunscreen of choice, which layers seamlessly on top of this formula, and you're ready to face the day.

Not only is Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner housed in a gorgeous, abstract-like glass bottle, but it's also chock-full of hydrating ingredients like cactus water, watermelon extract, and hyaluronic acid to replenish and lock in moisture. The thicker, syrupy texture absorbs into skin surprisingly quickly and creates less mess — in theory — than a more watery formula.

In total, the BHAs (salicylic acid, willow bark, and betaine salicylate) and PHAs tally up to 6%, which is a fairly potent concentration of sebum-dissolving acids that promote clearer, brighter skin. If you weren't aware, PHAs stand for polyhydroxy acids, which have larger molecules that penetrate the skin more slowly and are more suitable for sensitive skin types.

This is the second time Dr. Chang has recommended La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser, so you know it's a staple, tried-and-true product. She describes it a no-fuss, 2% salicylic acid face wash that targets excess oil and clears breakouts while glycerin, a humectant, helps hydrate the skin.

Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, is another fan of this formula that she says is best for those with acne-prone skin. "A small amount goes a long way and the salicylic acids cut right through those pimple-causing oils," she explains. And, in case you're looking for complementary products conveniently packaged together, we'd like to give a special shoutout to the three-step, Best of Beauty-winning Effaclar Acne Treatment System.

Priced under $10, St. Ives' Tea Tree Acne Control Spot Treatment was a no-brainer pick for a 2021 Best of Beauty Award in the Steals category. Antimicrobial tea tree reduces bacteria-causing acne and "redness caused by acne pustules," as Ava Shamban, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Beverly Hills, previously explained. 2% salicylic acid is, however, the star ingredient that clears blemishes and prevents new blackheads and whiteheads from forming. Lastly, menthol adds a cooling dose of relief.

Our readers know what skin-care products are most worth your buck, which is why The Ordinary's AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution garnered a 2021 Readers' Choice Award. As one of the most popular, TikTok-viral offerings from the affordable Canadian-founded brand, this blood-red chemical exfoliator mimics the effects of a professional peel for under $10. Just use with utmost caution if you have sensitive-ish skin, because the high concentrations of glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, and salicylic acid are not messing around. But the refined, smooth texture and ensuing glow you get aren't, either.

As the sister brand to Peach & Lily, Peach Slices serves up affordable, drugstore-friendly products infused with high-quality ingredients that have been proven to be effective at treating almost any skin issue you're facing. Take the Acne Oil-Free Moisturizer, which has a mild, 0.5% concentration of salicylic acid to dispel existing acne and prevent future breakouts over time. To help balance out the exfoliating component, there are various weights of hyaluronic acid, cica, allantoin, and cucumber to quell signs of inflammation and dehydration.

And if you like this moisturizer, there's a complimentary, acne-focused cleanser, toner, and pack of pimple patches waiting for your perusal.

When we were sourcing recommendations from dermatologists, two CeraVe cleansers got upvotes. First up is the Renewing SA Cleanser (pictured above), which Dr. Evans says is ideal for drier, acne-prone skin — since she says the formula's nourishing ceramides (of which there are three) "balances out the drying effect of the salicylic acid."

If you feel more assured with a clear percentage, Cerave's Acne Control Cleanser is listed out as containing 2% salicylic acid. Dr. Chang says the formula "contains oil-absorbing technology to reduce oil and visible shine" and also packs in three types of ceramides to strengthen the skin's barrier.

Chances are, you've probably picked up a bottle of Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Wash from your local drugstore aisle at some point, and were here to remind you that its more than deserving of a spot in your skin-care routine. The oh-so-classic cleanser comes at the recommendation of Dr. Evans. The 2% concentration of salicylic acid "exfoliates the skin by transcending the oil in the skin and removing [dead] cells that block the pores," Evans explains.

For less congested and more even-toned skin, Dr. Chang reaches for Benton's Aloe BHA Skin Toner. The nourishing treatment is spiked with salicylic acid and a blend of soothing aloe, snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, and beta-glucans to simultaneously hydrate and exfoliate your complexion. As such, there should be fewer chances of irritation. We love that this formulation has a dense, yet still fluid-like, texture that instantly absorbs into skin.

Meet the Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Micropoint for Blemishes, which always play offense for you in the match against acne. These innovative pimple patches feature tiny, dissolvable needles — 173, to be exact — doused in 0.5% salicylic acid and tea tree leaf oil to stop early-stage or hidden pimples in their tracks. These patches are a tad thicker than the usual acne patches you might be familiar with, so we recommend wearing these during nighttime and not when you're out and about.

For more developed pimples, check out the Best of Beauty-winning Mighty Patch Invisible+ Patches.

In the arena of pimple patches, Dr. Chang calls out Peace Out Acne Healing Dots, which simply don't disappoint when it comes to spot-treating zits that pop up without any warning. (Oh wait, that's most of them.) The Readers' Choice Award-winning hydrocolloid dressing forms a protective layer over your pimple and barricades the breakout from your prying fingers, which Chang says can cause worse-off scarring. These round, uniformly-sized dots then use a mild concentration of 0.5% salicylic acid, soothing aloe, and vitamin A to heal acne lesions and promote clearer, healthier skin, Chang adds.

Inside Cocokind's Probiotic Acne Serum, you'll not only find 1.5% salicylic acid working hard to decongest pores and clarify your complexion, but beta-glucan and postbiotics as well to draw moisture and soothe skin. The postbiotic in question is lactobacillus ferment, a non-living postbiotic produced during fermentation that helps reduce redness, supports your microbiome (a buzzier-than-ever term), and protects skin against environmental stressors. Gently pat two to three drops day and/or night after cleansing and toning for the best results.

For a no-frills, lightly foaming gel cleanser that'll leave your complexion feeling refreshed but not totally stripped, The Inkey List's Salicylic Acid Cleanser is the way to go. Its 2% salicylic acid that's accompanied by anti-inflammatory zinc, irritation-soothing allantoin, and conditioning vitamin E, so your pores stay happy, healthy, and — most importantly — clear and unclogged. Since its formula contains a slew of skin-enhancing ingredients, this cleanser is great for just about any skin type, even those with sensitive complexions.