The 10 Best Salicylic Acid Cleansers to Clean Out Your Pores and Fight Acne

"I have been using this salicylic acid face wash for years,” says Dr. Karp. “It leaves my skin feeling clean without stripping its barrier.” How does it do this, you ask? The foaming formula was designed with a special microclear technology that allows the powerful active, which is included at a two percent concentration, to get deeper into the skin and address the root of the problem. It’s a miracle worker where blackheads are concerns and chances are, you’ll notice results fairly quickly. Think: One week. 

Pros: Affordable; Fast-Acting 

Cons: Drying 

While it’s not always the case, a lot of times people dealing with acne also have pretty oily skin. You know, a slicked, shiny appearance that can’t be mattified. Enter this Tata Harper cleanser, which is specifically designed to soak up extra oil and bring your complexion far, far away from greasy territory. In addition to acne-fighting alpha-hydroxy acids and salicylic acid, the foaming formula also includes a trio of botanicals (aka plant-sourced ingredients) that balance oil production over time. 

Pros: Balances oil; Helps with redness; Mattifies skin 

Cons: Strong smell; Might leave face dry and itchy; Expensive 

I’m a big fan of Skinfix’s entire Acne+ line, as well as their non-comedogenic moisturizers, so it’s no surprise that this face wash landed on the list. While it checks off all the usual boxes thanks to the two percent salicylic acid inclusion, I want to call out how it goes above and beyond on the redness front. Because some acne can bring along angry, red inflammation, the brand added green tea, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and zinc to the formula in an effort to create a more even tone. 

Pros: Reduces redness and inflammation; Addresses post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation 

Cons: Can aggravate fungal acne, specifically malassezia folliculitis

Ideal for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types, this derm-loved cleanser is the real deal. In addition to salicylic acid, it contains a slew of exfoliating, deep cleansing ingredients like the brand’s proprietary lipo-hydroxy acid and glycolic acid. That powerhouse is going to not only keep your pores clean, and, fingers crossed, acne and bay, but will also give the added benefit of brightening your skin thanks to a freshly exfoliated complexion. 

Pros: Effective, Good for aging skin 

Cons: Leaky packaging

With hundreds of five-star ratings, it’s safe to say that this baby is a cult-favorite, and it’s easy to see why. It not only features acne-fighting salicylic acid to help with breakouts and oil, but it also leverages a handful of alpha-hydroxy acids, like lactic and glycolic acids. These AHAs are going to get rid of dead skin cells, speed up turnover, and reveal a fresher, smoother, glowier, and younger-looking complexion. 

Pros: Brightening; Multiple benefits 

Cons: Good for all skin types, including sensitive 

In the same way that you can break out in blackheads and whiteheads on your face, you can have pimples pop up on your chest, back, neck—anywhere there is skin, there can be pimples. Instead of trying to coat your body with your facial cleanser, reach for this body-specific option from Naturium. It has a gel texture that feels super smooth upon application and works long after you've stepped out of the shower. If you want to get a more efficacious treatment, let the body wash sit on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing it off.

Pros: Affordable; Can also be used on the face 

Cons: Non-foaming; Hard to squeeze out of the bottle 

One of the major CeraVe hallmark’s is its dedication to a healthy skin barrier. Even when the goal is to dry out acne, they still place skin health and hydration front and center. This specific cleanser leverages salicylic acid to treat whiteheads and blackheads galore, as well as a trio of ceramides to restore moisture and keep skin looking bouncy. As a result of the latter, it’s a good option for those with sensitive or easily irritated skin.

Pros: Affordable; Gentle

Cons: Doesn’t remove makeup 

If you’re dealing with body acne or face acne one of the top tips is to cleanse immediately after a workout or a sweat session. We know it can be tricky to make a pit stop at home and do a true skincare routine, so consider tossing these cleansing wipes in your bag. They will clear your face of gunks, pollutants, makeup, and other debris, while infusing pores with exfoliating salicylic acid. You don’t need to rinse afterwards either, just go along with your day. 

Pros: Great for on-the-go treatment; Easy to use 

Cons: Not safe for eye area; Not as effective as a true cleanser 

When a bunch of gunk makes its home sweet home your pores, your T-Zone is not going to look so great. Excess debris and makeup will not only contribute to blackheads, whiteheads, and other breakouts, but it can also make your pores look wayyyy larger than they need to. This cleanser is designed to go straight for the problem and dissolve all the unwanted ick that’s taken up residence. While it is effective, rest assured it’s not too harsh. The formula is balanced with soothing and calming agents.

Pros: Lightweight; Softens and soothes skin

Cons: Smells; Might cause irritation 

While this baby is likely going to be too harsh for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, it can be a savior for people with oilier complexions. In addition to salicylic acid, this cleanser features mandelic acid, which is an ingredient famed for its exfoliating and oil control powers. It’s going to smooth out skin texture and get rid of rough patches, all while preventing new acne from forming. Because it is a heavy duty cleanser, please make sure to follow up with a non-comedogenic moisturizer morning and night to keep irritation at bay. 

Pros: Powerful; Fragrance-Free 

Cons: Drying; Irritating