Meet the Salicylic Acid Products Amazon Reviewers Can’t Stop Raving About

Doctors and skincare enthusiasts can't get enough of salicylic acid, a game-changing beauty ingredient that can be used on your face, body, and scalp. With thousands of salicylic acid products like acne face washes and face toners on Amazon, I hit up a few skincare experts to learn why this ingredient is undoubtedly worth the hype.

The Best Salicylic Acid Products

What is Salicylic Acid?

Salicylic acid is a prevalent form of beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that derives from willow tree bark and is part of the aspirin family. BHAs are oil-soluble, meaning they can penetrate the skin's pores, hence why they are commonly found in acne-fighting products.

• Who it's for: Anyone dealing with acne, blackheads, keratosis pilaris (KP), and seborrheic dermatitis will be obsessed with salicylic acid products, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Marcus, M.D., the founder of the Maei MD skincare line.

• Who shouldn't use it: “I’d avoid using salicylic acid-containing products if pregnant or breastfeeding, as we know these can be harmful when taken orally. No need to take chances,” says double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, M.D., of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery.

• How it works: When applied topically, it softens the keratin layer of skin and dissolves skin debris, unclogs pores, and breaks down blackheads and whiteheads, adds DeRosa.

• Ideal concentration level: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers products containing 0.5 to 2% salicylic acid as an over-the-counter anti-acne drug.

Salicylic Acid Benefits

We asked Marcus, DeRosa, and board-certified doctors Dr. Jeffrey Hsu, M.D. of Oak Dermatology and Vivre Skin Labs, and Dr. Alain Michon, M.D., of Ottawa Skin Clinic about the many benefits of salicylic acid products:

• Acne-fighting: Salicylic acid helps break up acne-causing sebum inside the pores. It's effective against blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and hormonal acne.

• Anti-inflammatory: Since salicylic acid can penetrate deep inside the pores to treat acne, it also helps reduce swelling and redness.

• Skin-brightening: Salicylic acid helps remove dead skin cells, revealing a fresh layer of smoother and brighter skin. Since it's a natural exfoliant, our experts recommend slathering on SPF like face sunscreen, powder sunscreen, and spray sunscreen to prevent sun damage.

• Complements other active ingredients: Pairing salicylic and glycolic acids will leave your skin glowing, while niacinamide counteracts the redness that often results after using salicylic acid.

• Goodbye KP and seborrheic dermatitis: Salicylic acid is keratolytic, meaning it loosens the outer layer of dead skin cells plugging follicles on the body and scalp.

Ready for the clearest skin of your life? After using these salicylic acid products twice a day for 4 to 8 weeks, you'll see a significant improvement in acne and dull skin on your face and body. These salicylic acid products are doctor-approved or have been personally carefully researched for their active ingredients, texture, smell, price, and overall efficacy. A bonus: Our cheapest pick costs just under $7.50!