18 Top-Rated Salicylic Acid Products to Face Your Breakouts and Oily Skin Head On
Whether you've had acne for years or it's popped up in recent months, chances are you're reading this because you're looking for a solution. That might be because, when looking at labels, it can be tricky to pinpoint which ingredient can help your specific case. While there are plenty of over-the-counter options for treating breakouts, like sulfur and benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid remains a popular choice, simply because it's able to gently exfoliate the skin, loosening the dead cells and oil clogged in pores that often lead to pimples in the first place. (Talk about getting to the root of the issue.)
Now, we've read through tons of reviews at Sephora and picked out 18 top-rated salicylic acid-infused formulas to help — from gel treatments and face cleansers to single-use pads and a little something for your scalp, too. All have earned at least an average four-star rating from other shoppers, so keep reading to see which one belongs in your own medicine cabinet next.
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Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots
Not only do these Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots ($19-$32) have more than 1,700 five-star reviews from Sephora shoppers, POPSUGAR editors love them, too. Each patch features salicylic acid — along with soothing aloe vera — to penetrate pores overnight (or under a protective mask) and reduce blemish size and redness.
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Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum
The salicylic acid in the top-rated Caudalie Vinopure Natural Salicylic Acid Pore Minimizing Serum ($49) is derived from wintergreen and is 100 percent natural. This lightweight serum draws out oil and bacteria from blackheads and clogged pores, plus reduces future breakouts from forming.
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First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads 2% Salicylic Acid
Besides the concentrated dose of salicylic acid in these First Aid Beauty FAB Pharma White Clay Acne Treatment Pads 2% Salicylic Acid ($30), there's also kaolin clay to absorb dirt and oil with just one swipe. These pads are a top-rated option for anyone with sensitive skin, since it skips the alcohol and other drying agents.
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Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Blemish Solutions Acne Eliminating Gel
The secret ingredient in this Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Blemish Solutions Acne Eliminating Gel ($40) is its monk's pepper, which addresses oil production that can lead to clogged pores. That (along with salicylic acid and niacinamide) helps clear the skin — and, no doubt, accounts for its 96 percent average recommendation rating from other Sephora shoppers.
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Murad Clarifying Cleanser
This top-rated Murad Clarifying Cleanser ($12-$32) actually boasts two types of salicylic acid inside — one that starts working immediately and a second encapsulated one that can continue to work long after the cleanser is rinsed away.
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Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil
For a face oil with acne-fighting potential, this Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil ($40-$80) unclogs the buildup in congested pores that can lead to acne. With more than 100,000 loves from other Sephora shoppers, it also contains licorice and tea tree oil to simultaneously brighten and soften the skin.
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Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment
With more than 62,000 loves from other Sephora shoppers, the multitasking Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment ($26-$175) is like a cleanser, scrub, peel, and mask, all in one tube. The salicylic acid helps chemically exfoliate away dead cells for smoother, brighter skin after the green liquid is rinsed away.
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Sephora Collection Clear Skin Days by Sephora Collection Acne Clearing Drops
These Sephora Collection Clear Skin Days by Sephora Collection Acne Clearing Drops ($11) are special because they can be used as a blemish spot treatment or mixed with the moisturizer of your choice to target future breakouts all over. In addition to the salicylic acid, there's also niacinamide and zinc to absorb excess oil and soothe skin.
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Innisfree Super Volcanic Clusters Pore Clearing Clay Mousse Mask
With an average 96 percent recommendation rating from other people who purchased this product, Innisfree Super Volcanic Clusters Pore Clearing Clay Mousse Mask ($21) is a popular choice if a mask is what you want. This one features ground bits of hardened lava that feel cool upon contact with skin and work with salicylic acid to absorb excess sebum.
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Olehenriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner
The trio of acids inside this Olehenriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner ($29) includes a blend of salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids that helps unclog pores and minimize their appearance, so skin is purified and mattified as a result.
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Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar For Face and Body
This top-rated Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar For Face and Body ($17) can be used anywhere you'd like as its salicylic acid fights blemishes and removes pore-clogging dead skin cells, especially on acne-prone complexions and the chest, back, and shoulder area.
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Origins Clear Improvement Pore Clearing Moisturizer with Salicylic Acid
To deal with breakouts and dehydration in a one-two punch, the Origins Clear Improvement Pore Clearing Moisturizer with Salicylic Acid ($36) features salicylic acid and bamboo charcoal to absorb skin's impurities and purify pores. This acne treatment-slash-oil-free-moisturizer combo is a top-rated choice for lasting hydration and pimple prevention.
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Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask
There a two-percent dose of salicylic acid in this Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask ($28-$80), along with a 25-percent blend of AHAs, all worthing together to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores. With more than 259,000 loves from other Sephora shoppers, it's safe to say this at-home facial treatment is a popular choice for clearing skin.
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Kérastase Energizing Scrub: Purifying Scrub for Oily Scalp
Excess oil isn't only on faces as this top-rated Kérastase Energizing Scrub: Purifying Scrub for Oily Scalp ($50) pairs salicylic acid with sea salt to refresh between shampoos. It ensures the exfoliation of dead skin cells and excess oil, so hair (and scalps) look and feel healthier.
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Lancer Skincare The Method: Polish Oily-Congested Skin
This Lancer Skincare The Method: Polish Oily-Congested Skin ($75) works hard but is still gentle enough for daily use with salicylic acid to help chemically exfoliate oily skin, plus pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes to also physically exfoliate dead skin cells and surface debris, too. Oh, and the follow-up face wash — Lancer Skincare The Method: Cleanse Blemish Control ($55) — also packs salicylic acid and tea tree oil to limit future congested pores and breakouts for a dynamic duo.
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Dr. Jart+ Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution
Picking up a Dr. Jart+ Dermask Micro Jet Clearing Solution ($9) sheet mask will help fight the appearance of breakouts, redness, and oily skin in 30 minutes' time, thanks to the salicylic acid, niacinamide, and tea tree oil inside.
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Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Salicylic Acid Pore Refining Pads
These powerful Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Salicylic Acid Pore Refining Pads ($46) combine salicylic and glycolic acids to reduce the look of current breakouts, prevent future ones, and tackle uneven skin tone and texture. (Plus, they've earned more than 1,000 five-star reviews from other Sephora shoppers.)
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Dermalogica Age Bright Spot Fader
While the salicylic acid in this top-rated Dermalogica Age Bright Spot Fader ($45) is clearing current breakouts, other ingredients like niacinamide are working to help uneven skin tones and dark spots from past acne at the same time.