PRODUCTS
Salicylic Acid Products
Keep in mind: when salicylic acid is applied to the skin, sometimes there's tingling or slight burning felt - this is normal and will usually go away in less than 5 minutes. This is not an indicator of product effectiveness - more tingle does not equal better. However, use your best judgment - if you feel like your face is on fire, then rinse it off.
Salicylic Acid Products
for Acne and Oily Skin
Salicylic acid is an effective ingredient for treating acne and oily skin because it has the ability to unclog pores by cleaning out the excess oil and exfoliating dead skin cells within pores, weakening acne bacteria in the pores, and it reduces redness and swelling from acne inflammation. We’ve put together a GHS curated selection of our favorite salicylic acid skin care products. All the products we’ve chosen are:
Keep in mind: when salicylic acid is applied to the skin, sometimes there's tingling or slight burning felt - this is normal and will usually go away in less than 5 minutes. This is not an indicator of product effectiveness - more tingle does not equal better. However, use your best judgment - if you feel like your face is on fire, then rinse it off.
Why we love this 2% salicylic acid cleanser
It works to remove impurities, dirt, and excess oil, helping to reduce acne breakouts and oiliness while unclogging pores. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $
It works to remove impurities, dirt, and excess oil, helping to reduce acne breakouts and oiliness while unclogging pores. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $
Why we love this 2% salicylic acid exfoliant
It is an exfoliant that is gentle enough for all skin types and it works to exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells without drying out your skin and clears out excess oil in your pores for a more even, radiant skin tone. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness, mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: all skin types
Price: $$
It is an exfoliant that is gentle enough for all skin types and it works to exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells without drying out your skin and clears out excess oil in your pores for a more even, radiant skin tone. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness, mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: all skin types
Price: $$
Why we love this (less than 0.5%) salicylic acid exfoliant
It is an exfoliant that is gentle enough for all skin types and it's unique because it activates upon contact with water, releasing ingredients (i.e.salicylic acid) that work to remove surface debris on your skin, draw out excess oil, balance uneven skin tone, and calm inflammation. Bonus: it is cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: all skin types
Price: $$$
It is an exfoliant that is gentle enough for all skin types and it's unique because it activates upon contact with water, releasing ingredients (i.e.salicylic acid) that work to remove surface debris on your skin, draw out excess oil, balance uneven skin tone, and calm inflammation. Bonus: it is cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: all skin types
Price: $$$
Why we love this 2% salicylic acid toner
It is a light-weight alcohol-free toner that reduces excess oil production and unclogs pores without drying out your skin, leaving your skin shine-free with a healthy-looking glow. The papaya enzymes and nutrient-dense moringa help keep your pores clean, while antioxidant-rich chlorella nourishes and soothes your skin. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $
It is a light-weight alcohol-free toner that reduces excess oil production and unclogs pores without drying out your skin, leaving your skin shine-free with a healthy-looking glow. The papaya enzymes and nutrient-dense moringa help keep your pores clean, while antioxidant-rich chlorella nourishes and soothes your skin. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $
Why we love this (less than 1%) salicylic acid toner
It is alcohol-free and works to reduce excess oil production and unclog pores without drying out your skin, leaving your skin with a matte, healthy-looking glow. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$
It is alcohol-free and works to reduce excess oil production and unclog pores without drying out your skin, leaving your skin with a matte, healthy-looking glow. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$
Why we love this 2% salicylic acid serum
It is a powerful formula that not only helps fight breakouts by controlling your oil levels and cleaning your pores, it also helps fade acne scars because in addition to salicylic acid, it contains azelaic acid which boosts cell regeneration and works to fade dark spots from blemishes. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores, acne scars, redness
Skin Type: all skin types
Price: $$
It is a powerful formula that not only helps fight breakouts by controlling your oil levels and cleaning your pores, it also helps fade acne scars because in addition to salicylic acid, it contains azelaic acid which boosts cell regeneration and works to fade dark spots from blemishes. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores, acne scars, redness
Skin Type: all skin types
Price: $$
Why we love this 2% salicylic acid serum
It reduces excess oil production and unclogs pores to help fight acne and oily skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid to prevent your skin from getting too dried out. The hyaluronic acid works to keep your skin hydrated and plump. Bonus: it is cruelty-free and vegan.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $
It reduces excess oil production and unclogs pores to help fight acne and oily skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid to prevent your skin from getting too dried out. The hyaluronic acid works to keep your skin hydrated and plump. Bonus: it is cruelty-free and vegan.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $
Why we love this 2% salicylic acid mask
It targets the removal of dead skin cells on the surface of oily and blemish-prone skin to reveal more radiant skin beneath. It also has charcoal and clays, which work to absorb impurities deep in your skin and enhance the smoothness and clarity of your skin. Bonus: it is cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $
It targets the removal of dead skin cells on the surface of oily and blemish-prone skin to reveal more radiant skin beneath. It also has charcoal and clays, which work to absorb impurities deep in your skin and enhance the smoothness and clarity of your skin. Bonus: it is cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $
Why we love this (less than 0.5%) salicylic acid mask
It works to absorb excess oil and control oil levels, temporarily minimizing enlarged pores, and it helps improve overall skin texture, leaving your skin looking smoother and brighter. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness
Skin Type: all skin types
Price: $$
It works to absorb excess oil and control oil levels, temporarily minimizing enlarged pores, and it helps improve overall skin texture, leaving your skin looking smoother and brighter. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: brightening, enlarged pores, oiliness
Skin Type: all skin types
Price: $$
Why we love this 2% salicylic acid body exfoliant
This leave-on body exfoliant works to remove dead skin cells and excess oil from clogged pores on your arms, legs, and back, making your skin soft and smooth. It also contains chamomile and green tea extract, giving it the ability to help calm redness and irritation. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: back acne (bacne), chest acne, keratosis pilaris, body acne -- caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$
This leave-on body exfoliant works to remove dead skin cells and excess oil from clogged pores on your arms, legs, and back, making your skin soft and smooth. It also contains chamomile and green tea extract, giving it the ability to help calm redness and irritation. Bonus: it is cruelty-free.
Best for: back acne (bacne), chest acne, keratosis pilaris, body acne -- caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$
Why we love this 1.5% salicylic acid face oil
It works to quickly clear excess oil and remove buildup and debris from congested pores, helping clear acne and prevent further breakouts. It also has licorice root and hexylresorcinol - both ingredients help naturally brighten dark spots. Bonus: it is cruelty-free and vegan.
Best for: mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$$$
It works to quickly clear excess oil and remove buildup and debris from congested pores, helping clear acne and prevent further breakouts. It also has licorice root and hexylresorcinol - both ingredients help naturally brighten dark spots. Bonus: it is cruelty-free and vegan.
Best for: mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$$$
Why we love this 2% salicylic acid moisturizer
This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer works to hydrate your skin without clogging your pores. It has 2% salicylic acid to help control oil levels and prevent future breakouts, as well as azelaic acid to help brighten dark spots left by past blemishes Bonus: it is cruelty-free and gluten-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$
This lightweight, oil-free moisturizer works to hydrate your skin without clogging your pores. It has 2% salicylic acid to help control oil levels and prevent future breakouts, as well as azelaic acid to help brighten dark spots left by past blemishes Bonus: it is cruelty-free and gluten-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$
Why we love this (less than 0.5%) salicylic acid moisturizer
This lightweight moisturizer works to hydrate your skin without clogging your pores, while also helping to control oil levels and prevent future breakouts. It also contains cucumber juice and tea tree oil which both work to help reduce redness. Bonus: it is cruelty-free, gluten-free, and organic.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores, redness
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$$
This lightweight moisturizer works to hydrate your skin without clogging your pores, while also helping to control oil levels and prevent future breakouts. It also contains cucumber juice and tea tree oil which both work to help reduce redness. Bonus: it is cruelty-free, gluten-free, and organic.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores, redness
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$$
Why we love this 1% salicylic acid moisturizer
This lightweight and oil-free moisturizer works to hydrate your skin without clogging your pores. The salicylic acid in this moisurizer works to gently exfoliates surface skin cells and help control oil levels in order to prevent future breakouts. Bonus: it is cruelty-free and gluten-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$
This lightweight and oil-free moisturizer works to hydrate your skin without clogging your pores. The salicylic acid in this moisurizer works to gently exfoliates surface skin cells and help control oil levels in order to prevent future breakouts. Bonus: it is cruelty-free and gluten-free.
Best for: enlarged pores, oiliness, mild to moderate comedonal acne (whiteheads, blackheads) caused by oiliness or clogged pores
Skin Type: combination, normal, and oily
Price: $$
Related Pages
Salicylic Acid Skin Care Benefits: All You Need to Know
How to Treat Oiliness - Causes, Treatments, & Top Ingredients
How to Treat Acne - Causes, Treatments, & Top Ingredients
10 Best Acne Fighting Products
10 Best Oil Control Products for Treating Oily Skin
10 Best Cruelty-Free Acne Fighting Products
10 Best Cruelty-Free Products for Treating Oily Skin