What the science says about Salicylic Acid

Peer-reviewed research on Salicylic Acid, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.

Salicylic Acid for acne

Some evidence for acne

Most studies found salicylic acid helped clear acne
It often reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
Used with other acne treatments, it sometimes cleared acne better than those treatments alone
Side effect results were very uncertain in one large review

34 studies

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of topical pharmacological, oral pharmacological, physical and combined treatments for acne vulgaris.
The British journal of dermatology2022Meta-analysis35,000 participantsPositive
In a large review of about 35000 people with acne, chemical peels such as salicylic acid seemed to clear acne better in mild-to-moderate acne, but the findings were uncertain.
PubMed 35789996 DOI
Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) for acne.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2020Meta-analysis46 participantsNeutral
In a large review of clinical trials, salicylic acid put on the skin worked about as well as tretinoin for acne in 46 people, but the evidence was low quality.
PubMed 32356369 DOI
Topical benzoyl peroxide for acne.
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews2020Meta-analysis59 participantsNeutral
In a large review of acne trials, salicylic acid put on the skin had very uncertain side effect results versus benzoyl peroxide, and acne-clearing results were not reported.
PubMed 32175593 DOI
A comprehensive systematic review on the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and relapse rates of modern procedural therapies for inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne vulgaris.
Lasers in medical science2025Systematic review8,121 participants30%Positive
In a large review of 8121 people with acne, a 30% salicylic acid peel showed the highest reported improvement among the chemical peels reviewed.
PubMed 40993442 DOI
Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology2024Systematic reviewPositive
Expert guidelines recommend salicylic acid for acne, but this abstract does not give a separate result for how well it cleared acne.
PubMed 38300170 DOI
Evidence-based topical treatments (azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulfur, zinc, and fruit acid) for acne: an abridged version of a Cochrane systematic review.
Journal of evidence-based medicine2020Systematic review3,880 participantsNeutral
In a large review of clinical trials in 3880 people with acne, salicylic acid worked about as well as tretinoin, but the evidence was low quality.
PubMed 33034949 DOI
Clinical evidence for washing and cleansers in acne vulgaris: a systematic review.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2018Systematic review671 participantsNeutral
In a large review of 671 people with acne, salicylic acid cleansers were included, but no separate result showed how well salicylic acid cleared acne.
PubMed 29460655 DOI
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
BMJ open2018Systematic review387 participantsMixed
In a large review of 387 people with acne, salicylic acid peels worked about as well as several other peels, but results varied by outcome.
PubMed 29705755 DOI
Rapid and Visible Efficacy of a Dermocosmetic in Acne Patients With Fair Skin Phototypes: Results of a Randomized Split-Face Study.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2026RCT16 participantsPositive
In a 15-day split-face trial of 16 people with acne, a cream containing salicylic acid and other ingredients reduced pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads more than no treatment.
PubMed 41487026 DOI
Efficacy and Tolerability of a Novel Cosmetic and Over-the-Counter Facial Acne Regimen Versus a Prescription Treatment.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2025RCT54 participants1% and 2% salicylic acidPositive
In a 12-week trial of 54 adults with acne, a salicylic acid regimen cleared acne about as well as a prescription treatment and caused less dryness.
PubMed 39301780 DOI
Effect of 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy followed by sequential 30% supramolecular salicylic acid treatment in moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris: a prospective, randomized, split-face controlled study.
Clinical and experimental dermatology2025RCT19 participants30%Positive
In a clinical trial of 19 people with moderate-to-severe acne, 30% salicylic acid used after light-based treatment cleared acne better than the light-based treatment alone.
PubMed 40420552 DOI
Efficacy of a multitargeted, salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic cream compared to benzoyl peroxide 5% in Acne vulgaris: Results from a randomized study.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2024RCT150 participantsPositive
In a 56-day trial of 150 people with mild to moderate acne, a salicylic acid cream used together with other ingredients improved acne about as well as benzoyl peroxide.
PubMed 37941097 DOI
A randomized controlled double-blinded split-face prospective clinical trial to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of a novel 3-step routine compared to benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Archives of dermatological research2024RCT21 participantsPositive
In a 12-week split-face trial of 21 adults with acne, a salicylic acid routine used together with azelaic acid and retinol cleared acne about as well as benzoyl peroxide.
PubMed 38787441 DOI
2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapaline gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris treatment: A multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2024RCT500 participants2%Positive
In a 12-week trial of 500 people with mild to moderate acne, 2% salicylic acid hydrogel worked about as well as adapalene gel.
PubMed 38590107 DOI
Efficacy and safety of a facial serum and a mask containing salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid in acne management: A randomized controlled trial.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2023RCT83 participantsPositive
In an 8-week clinical trial of 83 people with acne, salicylic acid used together with lipohydroxy acid improved acne, and adding a mask improved it more than serum alone.
PubMed 36999489 DOI
1927nm fractional thulium fiber laser combined with 30% salicylic acid for the treatment of acne and acne scars: A prospective, randomized, and split-face study.
Lasers in surgery and medicine2023RCT30 participants30%Positive
In a 18-week trial of 30 people with acne and acne scars, 30% salicylic acid used with laser cleared acne better than laser alone.
PubMed 37454285 DOI
Combining superpulse dynamic CO2 laser and supramolecular salicylic acid in the treatment of dense comedones with higher clearance in a shorter time: A prospective, randomized, split-face clinical trial.
Lasers in surgery and medicine2023RCT31 participants30%Positive
In a 12-week split-face trial of 31 people with acne, salicylic acid used with CO2 laser cleared more blackheads and whiteheads than CO2 laser alone.
PubMed 37582350 DOI
Efficacy of supramolecular salicylic acid in combination with doxycycline in the treatment of acne.
Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences2023RCT70 participantsPositive
In a clinical trial of 70 people with acne, salicylic acid used with doxycycline cleared acne better than doxycycline alone.
PubMed 37587705
Distinct skin microbiome modulation following different topical acne treatments in mild acne vulgaris patients: A randomized, investigator-blinded exploratory study.
Experimental dermatology2023RCT45 participantsMixed
In a 3-month clinical trial of 45 people with mild acne, a cream-gel with salicylic acid used together with other ingredients changed skin bacteria, but the abstract does not report acne results for salicylic acid itself.
PubMed 36841971 DOI
A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2023RCT100 participantsMixed
In a 100-person study, a salicylic acid skin product used with other ingredients did not improve acne more than benzoyl peroxide alone at 3 months, but later helped prevent acne from coming back.
PubMed 38051857 DOI
A prospective, randomized, split-face study of concomitant administration of low-dose oral isotretinoin with 30% salicylic acid chemical peeling for the treatment of acne vulgaris in Asian population.
International journal of dermatology2022RCT29 participants30%Positive
In a 10-week split-face trial of 29 people with acne, 30% salicylic acid peels used with oral isotretinoin cleared acne faster than isotretinoin alone.
PubMed 35285944 DOI
Randomized prospective study of low-dose isotretinoin alone and combination with salicylic acid and mandelic peel against acne tarda.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2022RCT58 participants20% salicylic acidPositive
In a 16-week trial of 58 adults with acne, a peel with salicylic acid and mandelic acid used with oral isotretinoin improved acne more than isotretinoin alone.
PubMed 35388606 DOI
Comparative study of efficacy and safety of 45% mandelic acid versus 30% salicylic acid peels in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2020RCT50 participants30%Positive
In a 12-week trial of 50 people with mild-to-moderate facial acne, a 30% salicylic acid peel improved acne about as well as mandelic acid.
PubMed 31553119 DOI
A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Vehicle-Controlled Study of the Efficacy of Moisturizer Containing Licochalcone A, Decanediol, L-Carnitine, and Salicylic Acid for Prevention of Acne Relapse in Asian Population.
BioMed research international2020RCT50 participantsPositive
In a 12-week trial of 50 people with acne, a moisturizer with salicylic acid used together with other ingredients helped prevent new pimples better than a placebo.
PubMed 33150170 DOI
Clinical and dermoscopic evaluation of combined (salicylic acid 20% and azelaic acid 20%) versus trichloroacetic acid 25% chemical peel in acne: an RCT.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2019RCT34 participants20%Mixed
In a clinical trial of 34 people with acne, a 20% salicylic acid peel used with azelaic acid improved acne, but it was not clearly better overall than a trichloroacetic acid peel.
PubMed 29862871 DOI
Efficacy and safety of 2% supramolecular salicylic acid compared with 5% benzoyl peroxide/0.1% adapalene in the acne treatment: a randomized, split-face, open-label, single-center study.
Cutaneous and ocular toxicology2019RCT31 participants2%Positive
In a 28-day trial of 31 people with mild to moderate acne, 2% salicylic acid cleared pimples, blackheads and whiteheads about as well as adapalene with benzoyl peroxide.
PubMed 30173582 DOI
Novel combination for the treatment of acne differentiated based on gender: a new step towards personalized treatment.
Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia2018RCTPositive
In a 12-week clinical trial in people with mild to moderate acne, a skin care regimen including a cream with salicylic acid improved acne scores.
PubMed 29417793 DOI
Comparative study of buffered 50% glycolic acid (pH 3.0) + 0.5% salicylic acid solution vs Jessner's solution in patients with acne vulgaris.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2018RCT20 participants0.5%Positive
In a 4-week split-face trial of 20 people with acne, a peel with salicylic acid used together with glycolic acid worked about as well as Jessner's solution and caused fewer side effects.
PubMed 29164826 DOI
Comparison of salicylic acid 30% peel and pneumatic broadband light in the treatment of mild to moderately severe facial acne vulgaris.
Cutis2017RCT12 participants30%Positive
In a 12-week trial of 12 people with facial acne, a 30% salicylic acid peel improved acne and worked about as well as light treatment.
PubMed 28873106
Clinical comparison of salicylic acid peel and LED-Laser phototherapy for the treatment of Acne vulgaris in teenagers.
Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology2017RCT10%Positive
In teenagers with acne, 10 weekly salicylic acid peels reduced blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples, but light treatment worked better for pus-filled spots.
PubMed 27762647 DOI
Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2025Clinical trial42 participantsPositive
In a 21-day clinical trial of 42 people with mild-to-moderate acne, a salicylic acid-containing gel used twice daily improved acne severity.
PubMed 40682377 DOI
Topical Silymarin Cream as a Novel Therapy Versus Salicylic Acid Peels in Acne Vulgaris: A Split-Face Clinical Trial.
Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery2024Clinical trial30 participants30%Positive
In a 3-month split-face trial of 30 people with mild to moderate acne, salicylic acid peels improved acne about as well as silymarin cream.
PubMed 37942562 DOI
Combination chemical peels are more effective than single chemical peel in treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: A split face comparative clinical trial.
Journal of cosmetic dermatology2018Clinical trial45 participants30%Positive
In a clinical trial of 45 people with mild-to-moderate acne, a salicylic acid peel improved acne, but the salicylic acid combination peel worked better and faster.
PubMed 30203434 DOI
Efficacy and safety of Jessner's solution peel in comparison with salicylic acid 30% peel in the management of patients with acne vulgaris and postacne hyperpigmentation with skin of color: a randomized, double-blinded, split-face, controlled trial.
International journal of dermatology2020Observational36 participants30%Positive
In a clinical trial of 36 people with acne, a 30% salicylic acid peel improved pimples, blackheads and whiteheads and worked about as well as Jessner's solution.
PubMed 32447767 DOI

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