Ingredient · INCI listed
Salicylic Acid (BHA)
The oil-soluble BHA that dissolves into pores to clear the sebum and dead cells behind blackheads and breakouts. At 0.5–2% it is the most evidence-backed exfoliant for oily, congested skin — and one of the few that works inside the pore rather than only on the surface.
Evidence — Well-established
Data summary
Products containing
48
Most common in
13 products
exfoliants
Typical pairing
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Evidence level
Well-established. Effective at 0.5-2% for OTC products. At 2%, comparable to benzoyl peroxide for mild-moderate acne with less irritation. Best at pH 3-4 for optimal exfoliation.
Verified reviewer
In the catalog
Salicylic Acid by the numbers.
We've catalogued 255 products that use salicylic acid, most often in cleansers (67 products) but also across treatments and exfoliants. Formulations carrying it score 72/100 on average (above the catalog norm); the strongest is Torriden Balanceful Cica Serum at 88/100.
Of those, 58 products score 80 or higher in our analysis. It co-occurs most with Niacinamide (76 shared formulas) and Glycolic Acid (50 shared formulas). The median price of a salicylic acid product here is $24.
Where it shows up
