Best salicylic acid skincare products to clear acne, per dermatologists

Dealing with hormonal blackheads can do a number on your skin’s appearance — and your confidence.

Thanks to the tried-and-true skin-clearing ingredient known as salicylic acid, those pesky bumps, scares and inflamed patches can soon be mitigated. (Related: best Amazon beauty items).

After all, with so many ingredients specially infused into serums and creams, it can be difficult to find one that works for your skin. Like anti-aging benefits, S.A. will be your next best friend for your acne-prone skin.

That said, we curated an edit of the 14 best salicylic acid skincare products worth your money by turning to two board-certified dermatologists for insight.

From masks, keep on scrolling to shop, save and slather on your salicylic acid to soothe the skin.

Click to jump to the best salicylic acid skincare products:

• Best Salicylic Acid Skincare

What is salicylic acid?

“Salicylic acid is an excellent pore-clearing ingredient because it exfoliates the surface of the skin and penetrates into pores to remove oil,” Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical Center, told the New York Post. “It helps to prevent pores from becoming clogged and can help remove clogs that have already formed.”

That said, she recommends it as a “great ingredient for people with oily and acne-prone skin,” particularly for treating and preventing comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads).

Since salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid, it’s great for sensitive skin, too. “BHAs also have anti-inflammatory, skin-calming properties so they are gentle enough even for sensitive skin prone to redness and/or rosacea,” King adds.

Salicylic acid benefits

When used on acne-prone and oily skin, salicylic acid can help liven up your skin’s appearance.

“By eliminating the outmost layer of cells the hair follicles and sweat glands are less likely to become clogged with dead cells and less likely to form pimples,” Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai department of dermatology who specializes in acne, told the Post. “Exfoliating cells also allow fresh new glowing skin cells to appear.”

And yes, if you don’t have acne-prone or oily skin, you can still reap S.A.’s benefits. Products can be used as an exfoliator. Try using it twice a week at first and if tolerated, increase to everyday use if it’s not too harsh on the skin,” Greenfield adds.

Best Salicylic Acid Skincare

1. Sunday Riley U.F.O. Salicylic Acid BHA Acne Treatment Face Oil, $40

From the makers of the Instagram-followed C.E.O. Glow Face Oil ($40), the U.F.O. Salicylic Acid Face Oil is its acne-prone-skin counterpart.

Do note, however, that oils are meant for dry skin types. “This product will provide strong hydration for dry skin while also providing the benefits of salicylic acid on the skin.”