Where to get salicylic acid

Salicylic acid works best for mild acne blackheads and whiteheads. It can also help prevent future breakouts. Keep reading to learn how salicylic acid helps to clear acne, what form and dosage to use, and potential side effects to be aware of. When your hair follicles pores get plugged with dead skin cells and oil, blackheads open plugged pores , whiteheads closed plugged pores , or pimples pustules often appear.

Salicylic acid penetrates into your skin and works to dissolve the dead skin cells clogging your pores. It can take several weeks of use for you to see its full effect. They might also recommend that for 2 or 3 days, you only apply a limited amount to a small area of affected skin to test your reaction before applying to the entire area.

According to the Mayo Clinic , adults should use a topical product to clear their acne, such as:. Salicylic acid is also used in higher concentrations as a peeling agent for the treatment of:. Although salicylic acid is considered safe overall, it may cause skin irritation when first starting.

It may also remove too much oil, resulting in dryness and potential irritation. Even though salicylic acid is available in OTC preparations you can pick up at your local grocery store, you should talk with your doctor before using it. Considerations to discuss include:. You should also tell a doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions, as these may affect their decision to prescribe salicylic acid:.

Salicylic acid toxicity is rare but, it can occur from topical application of salicylic acid. To reduce your risk, follow these recommendations:. Immediately stop using salicylic acid and see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms or signs:. While you can dot it on your breakouts up to three times a day, Garshick recommended starting with one or two applications a day and only increasing the frequency if necessary.

This Clean at Sephora acne spot treatment received a 4. As a bonus, St. Ives claims this non-comedogenic and paraben-free formula is stored in a percent recycled bottle. This acne face wash earned a 4. Viscusi called this her "favorite" drugstore salicylic acid product and noted it "gently and instantly" unclogs and tightens pores for a noticeably clear complexion. La Roche Posay's toner received a 4. In addition, the brand claims this fragrance-free product is oil-free and non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog your pores.

Viscusi is a fan of SkinMedica's salicylic acid-infused face wash and cream — they contain fruit enzymes , tocopheryl acetate and panthenol provitamin B5 , which protect against free radical damage as well as soothe, moisturize and replenish the skin. The face wash boasts a 4. As one of Viscusi's "go-to" salicylic acid face washes, this " super concentrated" formula "deeply cleans pores," removes oil and impurities and employs salicylic and lactic acids to exfoliate the skin.

According to the brand, it is also made with sucrose laurate , a cleansing agent that doesn't strip away moisture. This cleanser earned a 4. It also features mandelic acid , one of her favorite ingredients to help promote cell turnover and collagen production.

Drunk Elephant is a popular Clean at Sephora brand and its T. Framboos serum boasts a combination of pore-clearing salicylic and glycolic acids , which is why it earned a recommendation from Murphy-Rose. The raspberry extract found in this serum offers many skin benefits, including cleaning the pores, soothing the skin and targeting fine lines, she added.

It received a 4. 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 percent, 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.

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. The 2 percent 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. The nourishing treatment is spiked with a blend of salicylic acid, 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. 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. For a mess-free, travel-friendly exfoliator, Dr. Chang is a fan of Peter Thomas Roth's Max Complexion Correction Pads, which she says uses 2 percent salicylic acid the maximum amount for over-the-counter products and 10 percent glycolic acid for "a strong boost of exfoliation" and a reduction in comedones aka, the scientific term for an acne lesion.

These dual-sided pads are designed with a softer side for gentle cleansing e. They're also spiked with allantoin , aloe, and green tea leaf extract to calm skin. While these ingredients are ideal for hydrating and minimizing irritation, Chang recommends "those with sensitive skin apply [the pad] to a small test area before applying to the full face.

For a no-frills, lightly foaming cleanser that'll leave your complexion feeling refreshed but not totally stripped, The Inkey List 's Salicylic Acid Cleanser is the way to go. Two percent salicylic acid is accompanied by anti-inflammatory zinc, irritation-soothing allantoin, and conditioning vitamin E, so your pores stay happy, healthy, and — most importantly — clear and unclogged.

While you might be familiar with the famous, pink-tinted sentiment found in Kate Somerville's EradiKate Spot Treatment , it has a more potent sibling we'd like to introduce you to. EradiKate Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment is an ideal nighttime product that combines the acne-demolishing powers of 2 percent salicylic acid with texture-smoothing retinyl propionate — a less irritating form of retinol that's great for sensitive skin.

An even, balanced complexion is well on the horizon. Take the Acne Oil-Free Moisturizer, which has a mild, 0. 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.