D Acne Foaming Face Wash
D Acne Face Wash contains Aloe Vera along with Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid. It works at cellular level by dissolving the glue between the dead cells. The face wash not only aids to get rid of the dead skin but also increases cell rejuvenation process. It keeps skin free from acne-prone infections, controls sebum secretion. The face wash is suitable for all skin types especially acne prone skin. Although, it contains SLES as foaming agent so make sure to check it dries out the skin or not.Price 479 INR for 60ml
The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser $11
I like this product because it is part of the clean beauty line where the brand is intentional about the ingredients they chose, only including ingredients that are safe and healthy for your skin, Greenfield shares.
Plus, for $11, this is one of the most affordable clean beauty products worth snagging.
What Exactly Is Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid that comes from bark willow, a natural substance, making it a natural ingredient, explains Dr. Cheryl Burgess, MD, FAAD and Board Certified dermatologist at the Center for Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery in Washington. It’s most commonly known “for helping clear pores of dirt, reducing acne-causing sebum production at the follicular level, and dissolving dead skin cells,” says Dr. Annie Chiu, MD, Board Certified Dermatologist and Founder of The Derm Institute in Manhattan Beach. Because it has anti-inflammatory properties, penetrates deep into the pores, and acts as a chemical exfoliant, it can greatly help reduce mild acne while working to prevent future breakouts, Chiu explains to Cosmo.
In dermatology or skincare, salicylic acid is most commonly used in a topical form. It is approved anywhere up to 2% by the FDA for over-the-counter sales and the mass market , making it readily available for purchase in many different forms. If you need a higher dosage for specific concerns, it can be prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist under their supervision and care.
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The Best Drugstore Salicylic Acid Cleansers Of 2021
Luckily, there are dozens of amazing drugstore cleansers with salicylic acid out there, which work wonders in maintaining skin clarity, reducing acne, and balancing sebum levels. We did the job and found them all! So if you are looking for the best drugstore salicylic acid cleansers, you are in the right spot. Take a peep below.
How Does Salicylic Acid Work On Acne
When your hair follicles get plugged with dead skin cells and oil, blackheads , whiteheads , or pimples 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. Check with your dermatologist if you arent seeing results after 6 weeks.
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What Were Looking For
Skin type: Before you pick out a cleanser, you kind of need to figure out what your skin type actually is. Aside from being acne-prone, your skin can also be extra oily, dry, or sensitive, which impacts which cleanser you should choose. Those with sensitive skin should opt for a low dose of acne-fighting actives , whereas those with extra-oily skin might want to use something strong, and people with dry skin need to look for more hydrating actives, like hyaluronic acid. If youre not sure what skin type you are, your dermatologist should be able to help you.
Cleanser texture: Personal preference plays a big part in what texture to choose for your cleanser, but your skin type matters too. Foaming cleansers can be very drying, as can some gel cleansers, whereas creamy textures are more hydrating. And for normal-to-oily skin, a cleansing oil might be a good choice because oil is attracted to oil that means itll suck out any excess oil on the skin, but it wont strip your skin in the process.
Noncomedogenic formula: Noncomedogenic means the product wont clog your pores, which is key for all acne-prone skin, regardless of skin type. Dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe says, I advise all my patients, but especially those with acne, to avoid sulfates, because those are a proven pore-clogging ingredient along with fragrance. Sulfates are aggressive surfactants that can wash away your healthy fats and lipids and dry out the skin, Bowe adds.
Mamaearth Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash With Tea Tree & Salicylic Acid For Acne & Pimples
If you are looking for a budget-friendly way to target breakouts and drive em away overtime, opt for Mamaearth Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash With Tea Tree & Salicylic Acid For Acne & Pimples. Heres why. Fortified with the antibacterial goodness of Tea Tree and acne-fighting benefits of Salicylic Acid, it helps decongest skin, regulate oil production, heal acne and reduce blemishes. Plus, its infused with Aloe Vera extracts to keep hydration in the loop. Also, we love how its so easy to use just pump, massage and wash!
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Get A Deep Clean With The Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser For Everyday Use
Experience a refreshing facial wash that thoroughly cleans your pores and eliminates blemishes.
Check out Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser. It works on normal and oily skin.
With its deep-cleansing action, you can feel Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser working as it gets rid of the dirt, oil, and impurities.
And for the cherry on the cake, Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser has a mild refreshing minty scent.
Why Is Salicylic Acid So Awesome
While you’ve probably heard more about benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid is a little different. Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are effective treatments for acne, but salicylic acid removes pore-clogging dead skin cells, while benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria in pores, Batra explains.
There are also a few benefits to choosing salicylic acid over benzoyl peroxide, particularly if you’re prone to sensitive or dry skin: “benzoyl peroxide can be drying and irritating, and it can cause skin redness and peeling, particularly if over-applied, she says. “Salicylic acid is gentler on skin and since it contains the same anti-inflammatory ingredients as aspirin, it can soothe and calm redness and help relieve the pain of cystic acne.”
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Warnings When Using Salicylic Acid
Unfortunately, as with everything in life, nothing can be perfect. Aaaaand that includes some of the side effects you may experience when using SA. “Everyone’s skin can react differently,” says Dr. Lucy Chen, Board Certified Dermatologist of Riverchase Dermatology in Miami, “common side effects include burning, peeling, dry, flaky skin, and inflammation, especially at the start of treatment. If any of these effects worsen or continue, make sure to consult your doctor. Sometimes, all you may need to change is the amount of the drug or how frequently you’re using it,” she says. If you are experiencing dryness, apply a gentle, fragrance-free face moisturizer after cleansing.
It is important to note that the higher the concentration of salicylic acid in the cleanser, the more drying it can be, so keep that in mind when choosing your cleanser. And before adding a salicylic acid cleanser to your routine, ensure the other products in your skincare regimen do not include retinol nor glycolic acid. Combining either of these with salicylic acid can cause redness and irritation.
And for the final, and probably most important, tip when it comes to using a salicylic acid cleanser: If you have questions or concerns before, while, or after using the product, the very best thing you can do is speak. with. a. doctor Each and every person’s skin is different, therefore one regimen cannot suit all.
Minimalist Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Formulated with Salicylic Acid , LHA and two very mild sulfate-free surfactants cleansers this cleanser cleanses without drying out the skin. A gently exfoliating, acne fighting face cleanser, it combines BHA + LHA in 2% concentration. The face cleanser provides deep cleansing, pore decongestion as well as sebum reduction. Touted to be suitable for all skin types, especially for oily / combination, acne prone skin, the cleanser is also fragrance free and essential oil free. Price 299 INR for 100 ml
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Derma Co Aha Bha Foaming Cleanser
Derma Co face wash is made with mandelic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid. It is formulated to cleanse the skin without drying it. Dermatologically tested, AHA-BHA Foaming Cleanser is safe, potent, and highly effective in cleansing and exfoliation. Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells while revealing fresh and brighter skin. Salicylic acid clarifies pores to prevent pimples and blemishes. Price 349 INR for 100ml
The Inkey List Salicylic Acid Face Wash Is A $10 Acne
All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The reason the Inkey List Salicylic Acid Cleanser has quickly become a skin care icon is right there on the bottle: Of all the ingredients that acne-prone individuals should prioritize, salicylic acid sits at the top. It is a beta hydroxy acid that flushes oil and grime from the pores, and dissolves dead skin cells that might get trapped inside there, too. In dissolving dead cells, it also helps keep surface texture smooth and bright, promoting faster turnover so that you heal the dark spots left behind by past blemishes. It also helps temper oil production in the skin, to prevent the accumulation of excess sebum.
You can get your dose of salicylic acid a few different ways. First, there are high-concentration creams, serums, peels, and spot treatments that you let absorb into the skinapplied uniformly or targeting the precise blemish. These are often reactionary instead of preventative, although the uniformly applied ones will also help prevent nascent breakouts.
One of my favorite face washes, salicylic acid or otherwise, is The Inkey Lists Slaicylic Acid cleanser. It combines a 2% salicylic acid formula with soothing allantoin and sebum-tempering zinc, and is gentle enough for those twice-daily cleansings.
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Best Oil: Epara Natural Cleansing Oil
If you have extra dry skin or a lot of makeup to break down, a cleansing oil might be your best bet. This one uses a group of non-comedogenic ones as well as licorice root extract to brighten, plankton extract to even out skin’s tone, and ylang ylang to soothe. And if it wasn’t clear: This will not clog your pores.
Reasons To Buy Our Selected Cerave Salicylic Acid Cleanser Products
We all want to buy the best cerave salicylic acid cleanser product for our money, but it can be hard to know what is the best. You may think that you need a lot of information about cerave salicylic acid cleanser products before you buy one, but this isnt always true.
Some people just want something that will work well and not cost too much. If you are looking for a great cerave salicylic acid cleanser product at an affordable price, then I highly recommend this one. Because it does everything you need without breaking your budget.
The best cerave salicylic acid cleanser product on the market is always one that you can trust. Trust is a major factor in any purchase, and when it comes to purchasing a product that will be used by your kids or family members, then you want something that is safe for everyone.
Do you want to buy a cerave salicylic acid cleanser product that is going to last? Of course, you do!
And check the best cerave salicylic acid cleanser products here, it will be worth every penny.
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How To Choose And Use The Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Experiment with textures: Generally, a gel cleanser absorbs oil and foams are great when you need something to really penetrate into the skin, says Dr. Markowitz. However, just because your skin is oily doesnt mean you wont benefit from a hydrating, creamy washespecially if you are easily irritated. Its really not a one-size-fits-all journey, but a gel texture is the most middle-of-the-road option to start with.
Pay attention to potency: Most OTC salicylic acid cleansers contain 2% of the active ingredient, which is a standard amount. But its still something to watch out for, because the stronger the percentage, the more potential for irritation there is.
Watch for oils and hydrators: If a salicylic acid cleanser contains a hydrator like shea butter or ceramides, their occlusive properties can actually increase the acids strength by trapping it into the skin, says Dr. Markowitz. Dr. Shamban says calming ingredients like green tea, aloe vera, allantoin, and niacinamide can soothe potential irritation. And, of course, stay away from oil-based ingredients that might worsen breakouts.
Extra exfoliators are a plus: Salicylic acids efficacy can be increased when combined with AHAs like lactic or glycolic acid, says Dr. Shamban.
Now that you have a better understanding of salicylic acid cleansers and how they work, heres your shopping list of the best dermatologist-recommended and top-rated picks.
Buyers Guide To Salicylic Acid Cleansers: Faqs
A cleanser that contains salicylic acid can sound a bit threatening to those who have never used this ingredient before. However, once you understand how effective it is for acne treatment, therell be no more doubts! A salicylic acid fash wash can truly work wonders when it comes to treating acne.
If it is a less harsh cleanser that you are after then we have you covered. Check out our top rated face cleansers.
Read Also: Non Foaming Cleanser For Dry Skin
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Sunday Riley Ufo Salicylic Acid Bha Acne Treatment Face Oil $40
From the makers of the Instagram-followed C.E.O. Glow Face Oil , the U.F.O. Salicylic Acid Face Oil is its acne-prone-skin counterpart.
Do note, however, that oils are meant for dry skin types. This product will provide strong hydration for dry skin while also providing the benefits of salicylic acid on the skin.
The Best Salicylic Acid Cleansers
OK, OK, OK, I get it that was a tonnnn of info. So, before I lose you all to an information-overload-headache , get excited, because here are the 15 best salicylic acid cleansers on the market RN vetted by the pros.
And last but not least, almost every single dermatologist that weighed in recommended the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Gel Cleanser. So, yeah, I’m assuming that means it’s pretty damn good.
This gel cleanser uses salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid to remove impurities from the skin, Dr. Chen explains. Not only that, it is a great choice for a multitude of skin types, including sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin, where it works to target acne, blackheads, and whiteheads, all while being oil-free. “It has a lightweight formula that does not contain harsh scrub particles that may irritate the skin,” she says.
Concentration of SA: 2%
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Zitclin Zitcare Foam Face Wash
Zitcare face wash helps to shred of dead skin cells from its follicles. It keeps the pores clean of the cellular debris. The aloe vera extract is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, astringent. It has scar reducing property and it stimulates cell growth. The face wash treats acne and also helps in giving the skin natural glow. The face wash contains 2% salicylic acid. Price 260 INR for 100 ml
Best Gel Cleanser: Vichy Normaderm Deep Cleansing Gel With Salicylic Acid
Perfect for people with acne and large pores, this lightweight gel cleansercombines salicylic acid with glycolic acid and micro-exfoliating lipo hydroxy acid to remove dead skin cells and excess oil without over-drying. The face wash is also paraben-free, so it’s good for sensitive skin, Dr. Nazarian notes.
Available at dermstore.com, $18
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Cleanse Your Way To A Clearer Complexion
Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based beauty writer and editor. Prior to moving to Chicago, Melanie held staff positions at Shape, Good Housekeeping, and Health. She now writes for numerous print and digital outlets, appears on television as a beauty and lifestyle expert, and consults with beauty brands. She holds a BA in Journalism and English from New York University. When she’s not writing about all things beauty, you can find her organizing her beauty closet, watching anything and everything on Bravo, or spending time with her beloved rescue dog, George.
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In the quest for clear skin, few ingredients are as invaluable as salicylic acid. A beta-hydroxy acid, it’s oil-soluble, meaning it’s able to penetrate deeper into the skin than water-soluble acids, such as alpha-hydroxy acids, explains Devika Icecreamwala, M.D., a dermatologist in Berkeley, CA. This means that salicylic acid is the choice for getting into clogged pores and removing excess oil and other gunk, grime, and impurities, adds Dr. Icecreamwala. It’s also an exfoliant by helping to dissolve the ‘glue’ that holds dead skin cells together, it can help improve the tone and texture of your skin. (
What Happens When You Use A Salicylic Acid Facial Cleanser
A facial cleanser with salicylic acid can clear up acne. But thats just one of the many benefits when you use one.
Here are the effects on your skin when you use a salicylic acid cleanser.
- It exfoliates your skin, removing old and dull skin particles and revealing a youthful, glowing skin.
- Salicylic acid cleanser can unclog your pores, reducing the likelihood of acne growth.
- Facial scrubs with salicylic acid can eliminate the stubborn appearance of acne scars and other blemishes.
- If youre struggling with skin inflammation, a facial cleanser with salicylic acid can dial it down even with a single wash.
- You can say good-bye to stubborn blackheads and acne when you regularly use a salicylic acid cleanser.
- Did you know the best salicylic acid cleanser products deliver anti-aging effects?
- A salicylic acid cleanser can dissolve warts, making your skin clear and looking beautiful.
- With a salicylic acid facial cleanser, you can remove excess oil and dirt without drying your skin.
- The best salicylic acid cleanser products have hydration and moisturizing effects that can nourish your skin.
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