The 15 Best Salicylic Acid Cleansers to Clean Out Your Pores and Fight Acne

Bye, blackheads.

best salicylic acid cleansers: Tata Harper, SkinCeuticals, and more
(Image credit: Future)

There are so many ways to tackle acne with your skincare routine. Consulting with your dermatologist is always the best move, but if you're going the over-the-counter route, there are spot treatments, non-comedogenic moisturizers, anti-inflammatory benzoyl peroxide products, and, of course, the holy grail: best salicylic acid cleansers. These face washes are essential to any acne routine. They don’t just dry out existing pimples by breaking down oil; the best salicylic acid cleansers also clear your pores, making future breakouts less likely.

“Think of salicylic acid like a pipe cleaner for your skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist Anna Karp, D.O. “Salicylic acid is both highly keratolytic and comedolytic, which means it not only dissolves dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, but it’s also able to get down into the pore, dissolve the oil, and break apart the debris inside that commonly leads to acne.”

Sounds pretty good, right? If you’re unsure which cleanser to add to your routine, we’ve got you covered. We’ve tried and tested dozens of salicylic acid cleansers and consulted with two board-certified dermatologists—Dr. Karp and Azadeh Shirazi, M.D.—to uncover the best of the best.

From powerful drugstore picks to luxe options you’ll want to show off on your vanity, here’s a definitive list of the 15 pore-cleaning, pimple-busting salicylic acid cleansers that’ll have you on your way to clearer skin.

The Best Salicylic Acid Cleansers

Marisa with the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex

Marisa loves her travel-sized iS Clinical Cleansing Complex because it's a multipurpose formula that removes makeup, protects from free radicals, and prevents breakouts.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

samantha holender

For sensitive skin, this cleanser is a non-irritating option.

(Image credit: Samantha Holender)

The Saint Jane Pore Clarity Hyaluronic + Flower Acid Cleanser on Marisa's vanity

Marisa loves how the Saint Jane Pore Clarity Hyaluronic + Flower Acid Cleanser looks on her vanity and how it leaves her skin looking and feeling amazing.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

samantha holender

Aloe vera and glycerin counteract the drying effects of salicylic acid.

(Image credit: Samantha Holender)

Marisa Petrarca with the Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

Marisa loves how Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash does double duty, brightening her skin while treating and preventing breakouts.

(Image credit: MC Editors)

Other Salicylic Acid Cleanser We Love

What Is Salicylic Acid?

"Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that promotes exfoliation of dead skin cells, unclogs pores, making them look less noticeable, and regulates oil production, making it a great treatment for acne and skin congestion," says Dr. Shirazi. "It also helps reduce inflammation and smooths the skin surface, improving overall texture."

What to Look For in a Salicylic Acid Cleanser

  • Percentage of the Active Ingredient

Salicylic acid is great, but you'll only reap the pore-declogging benefits when it's used at a high enough concentration. Make sure you read the label to see where your product falls on the spectrum. Two percent is the highest possible over-the-counter dosage and likely what you'll find in most of your cleansers. If you have very dry, sensitive skin, consider looking for a one percent formula. See a lower percentage? Chances are the formula is bolstered with a natural, salicylic acid alternative like willow bark.

  • Alternative Acids

Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid, but a decent number of acne-fighting cleansers also contain alpha-hydroxy acids, like glycolic or lactic acid. While not necessary, the combination of both can help get rid of current blackheads and prevent other pimples by speeding up cell turnover.

What are the Benefits of a Salicylic Acid Cleanser?

As highlighted in this comprehensive piece, salicylic acid cleansers offer benefits far beyond treating and preventing breakouts. According to Dr. Shirazi, the main perks are as follows: "It helps clear clogged pores, reducing breakouts like acne, blackheads, and whiteheads and exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin cells, which, in turn, can improve skin texture and smoothness.

Salicylic acid also helps control excess oil, making it ideal for oily or acne-prone skin," she continues. "It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce redness and swelling associated with acne."

How Does Salicylic Acid Cleanser Work?

Salicylic acid cleanser works "by getting deep into the pores to clear out oil and debris. It exfoliates the skin, preventing clogged pores, regulating oil production, and breakouts while calming redness and inflammation," says Dr. Shirazi.

Who Should Avoid Salicylic Acid Cleanser?

Sorry, but salicylic acid isn’t a one-size-fits-all ingredient. "People with very dry, sensitive skin, or conditions like eczema or rosacea should avoid salicylic acid cleansers," says Dr. Shirazi. As for pregnant or breastfeeding women, they should "consult a doctor before use."

Will Salicylic Acid Cleanser Be Irritating?

Perhaps the biggest downside of salicylic acid is that it can be drying and cause irritation—especially for those with dry or sensitive skin. That’s why it’s important not to overdo it. “It is a mild exfoliant, so I wouldn’t combine a salicylic acid cleanser with too many other exfoliating products,” says Dr. Karp. “I would avoid using it with retinoids or other acids unless it’s already in the product as a combination.”

It’s also important to reinforce hydration with an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer.

Meet the Dermatologists

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Dr. Anna Karp

Anna Karp, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist at the Skin Institute of New York (SINY®). Dr. Karp specializes in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology, and she treats adults and children at SINY’s® three offices in New York City’s West Village and Bay Ridge and Park Slope in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Karp is a native New Yorker, growing up on the South Shore of Long Island. After graduating magna cum laude with her bachelor of arts degree in Biology from the State University of New York at Binghamton, she went on to earn her medical degree from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City. She then completed dual residencies in Family Medicine and Dermatology at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far Rockaway, New York.

During her residency, Dr. Karp presented at a number of local and national conferences, and she published several articles in peer-reviewed journals. She also served as Chief Resident during the final year.

Dr. Karp is an active fellow and member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, and the American Medical Association. As a highly skilled dermatologist, she focuses on providing the highest level of individualized and compassionate care to all her patients.

Dr. Azadeh Shirazi
Dr. Azadeh Shirazi

Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, MD is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology and founder of AziMD Skincare. She received her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University Of Kentucky College of Medicine. She then went on to do a Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine. She embodies a strong passion for dermatology and truly enjoys the art of aesthetics every day, and she can arguably be called the most skilled dermatologist La Jolla has to offer.

Marisa Petrarca
Freelance Beauty Writer

Marisa Petrarca is a writer and editor based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, specializing in beauty, wellness, fashion, and lifestyle. She previously served as the Senior Beauty and Fashion Editor at Grazia USA and Beauty and Style Editor at Us Weekly. Her expertise spans breaking beauty news, shopping roundups, product reviews, and explainer articles on popular topics in skin, makeup, and aesthetics. Her work has been featured in PS, Cosmopolitan, Allure, NewBeauty, InStyle, and The Zoe Report, among others. Marisa holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from Wagner College. Follow her on Instagram @Marisa Petrarca.