← Best Salicylic Acid products
Peer-reviewed research on Salicylic Acid, summarised in plain language. Every study links to its record on PubMed so you can read it yourself.
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 many clinical trials, chemical peels such as salicylic acid seemed to clear acne better in mild-to-moderate acne, but the evidence was very uncertain.
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 study of 46 people with acne, salicylic acid cleared acne about as well as tretinoin.
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, 30% salicylic acid peels showed the strongest acne clearing among the chemical peels discussed.
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 study results for how well it cleared acne.
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 3880 people with acne, salicylic acid worked about as well as tretinoin for clearing acne, but the evidence was low quality.
Clinical evidence for washing and cleansers in acne vulgaris: a systematic review.
The Journal of dermatological treatment2018Systematic review671 participantsNeutral
In a review of 671 people with acne, salicylic acid cleansers were included, but the paper did not report a clear result for salicylic acid itself.
Chemical peels for acne vulgaris: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.
BMJ open2018Systematic review387 participantsMixed
In a review of 387 people with acne, salicylic acid peels worked about as well as several other peels, but results were mixed across comparisons.
Randomized Controlled Study of Bacteriophages in Acne Reveals Efficacy and Novel Mechanism for Promoting Long-Term Skin Health.
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD2026RCT90 participantsPositive
In an 8-week study of 90 people with mild to moderate acne, salicylic acid used with bacteriophages improved acne from the start of the study.
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 study of 16 people with acne, a cream containing salicylic acid improved pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and acne severity more than leaving skin untreated.
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 study of 54 adults with acne, a salicylic acid regimen cleared acne about as well as a prescription treatment and caused less dryness.
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 19-person study, 30% salicylic acid used after light treatment cleared acne better than light treatment alone over 2 treatments.
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 cream containing salicylic acid cleared pimples, blackheads and whiteheads about as well as benzoyl peroxide.
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 study of 21 adults with acne, a routine with salicylic acid cleared acne about as well as benzoyl peroxide and users preferred it more.
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 500-person clinical trial, 2% salicylic acid cleared acne about as well as adapalene over 12 weeks.
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 30-person split-face study lasting 18 weeks, salicylic acid used with laser cleared acne better than laser alone.
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 comedones better than the laser alone.
Efficacy of supramolecular salicylic acid in combination with doxycycline in the treatment of acne.
Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences2023RCT70 participantsPositive
In a study of 70 people with acne, salicylic acid used with doxycycline cleared acne better than doxycycline alone and caused fewer side effects.
Distinct skin microbiome modulation following different topical acne treatments in mild acne vulgaris patients: A randomized, investigator-blinded exploratory study.
Experimental dermatology2023RCT45 participantsNeutral
In a 3-month study of 45 people with mild acne, a salicylic acid-containing skin treatment changed skin bacteria, but the abstract does not say it cleared acne.
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 over 6 months, a salicylic acid cream matched benzoyl peroxide results while using less benzoyl peroxide, and then helped keep acne from coming back.
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 trial of 29 people with acne, salicylic acid peels used with isotretinoin cleared acne faster than isotretinoin alone.
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 study of 58 adults with acne, salicylic acid in a peel used with isotretinoin cleared acne better than isotretinoin alone.
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 study of 50 people with mild-to-moderate acne, salicylic acid peels improved acne about as well as mandelic acid peels.
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 study of 50 people with acne, a moisturizer with salicylic acid and other ingredients reduced pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads more than a placebo.
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% (used with azelaic acid 20%)Mixed
In a study of 34 people with acne, a salicylic acid and azelaic acid peel improved acne and redness, with better early results for red, sore spots than trichloroacetic acid.
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 acne about as well as adapalene plus benzoyl peroxide.
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 20-person clinical trial, a peel with salicylic acid used with glycolic acid cleared acne about as well as Jessner's solution and caused fewer side effects.
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 clinical trial of 12 people with facial acne, a 30% salicylic acid peel improved acne and worked about as well as light treatment.
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.
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 study of 42 people with acne, a salicylic acid gel reduced acne severity and was well tolerated.
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 acne, salicylic acid peels improved acne about as well as silymarin cream.
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 study of 45 people with mild-to-moderate acne, a salicylic acid peel improved acne, but a peel that combined salicylic and mandelic acid worked better and faster.
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 study of 36 people with acne, a 30% salicylic acid peel improved acne as much as Jessner's solution over 3 treatment sessions.
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not any one product.
Products we have confirmed contain Salicylic Acid, from their ingredient lists.
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