Effaclar Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum — Reddit Reviews

• Anti-Aging

  Strong evidence

  Glycolic Acid: 14 studies tested it on its own. See all 21 studies→

  What the studies found

  • Most studies found glycolic acid helped with signs of aging
  • It often improved fine lines, rough skin, and overall skin texture
  • Some studies found it helped fade dark spots and improve skin clarity
  • Results were less clear for some wrinkle changes, and one study found it worked less well than tretinoin
  • The most common side effects were stinging and burning

• Acne

  Some evidence

  Salicylic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 34 studies→

  On Reddit: Little facial bumps get spot-treated, while big inflamed breakouts get a different treatment. 9 mentions

  Both ingredients for acne

  Salicylic Acid · Some evidence

  • 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

  Glycolic Acid · Some evidence

  13 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies→

  • Most of these studies found it helped clear acne
  • It often reduced blackheads and whiteheads, and some studies also found fewer red, sore spots
  • It cleared acne more than a placebo in some studies
  • It worked about as well as some other acne peels and creams in several studies
  • The most common side effects were peeling and other early skin irritation

• Hyperpigmentation

  Some evidence

  Glycolic Acid: 15 studies tested it on its own. See all 23 studies→

  What the studies found

  • Most studies found glycolic acid helped fade dark spots or patches
  • It often worked better when added to another treatment than when that treatment was used alone
  • It usually worked about as well as several other peel treatments for melasma
  • Some studies found other treatments worked better, or that the fading did not last
  • The most common side effects were irritation, discomfort, stinging and burning

• Texture/Pores

  Some evidence

  Glycolic Acid: 3 studies tested it on its own. See all 6 studies→

  On Reddit: Little-bump spot treatment is its standout use, with commenters applying it directly to bumps across the face. 4 mentions

  What the studies found

  • Most studies found glycolic acid helped with skin texture and pores
  • It improved skin texture and roughness in some studies
  • It also helped fine lines in some studies
  • One study found no clear improvement in roughness
  • The most common side effects were stinging and burning

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.