Keep reading for the full breakdown of the best salicylic acid cleansers—according to my own testing and product reviewers—along with tips from dermatologists on choosing the best salicylic acid cleansers, how to incorporate one into your skincare routine, and what to look for before you buy.</p>” />
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1
Best Overall Salicylic Cleanser
Paula’s Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser
1
Best Overall Salicylic Cleanser
Paula’s Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser
Pros
- Fragrance-free and lower concentration of salicylic acid is great for sensitive skin
Cons
- Not a good option for removing heavier makeup
2
Best Clean Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser
2
Best Clean Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser
Pros
- Formulated with hydrating glycerin and antioxidants
Cons
- Very light concentration of salicylic acid, which is great for sensitive skin, but may take longer to see results
3
Best Salicylic Acid Body Cleanser
Sol De Janeiro Bom Bom Dia Bright Body Wash
3
Best Salicylic Acid Body Cleanser
Sol De Janeiro Bom Bom Dia Bright Body Wash
Pros
- Filled with both AHAs and BHAs for a powerful (yet gentle!) exfoliation
Cons
- The scent is undeniably strong, so may not be the best option for those with sensitive noses or hyper-reactive skin
5
Best Drugstore Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Fighting Facial Cleanser
5
Best Drugstore Salicylic Acid Cleanser
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Fighting Facial Cleanser
Pros
- Affordable and widely available at drugstores and online
Cons
- Pretty strong formula, so you’ll need to follow up with a good moisturizer to prevent skin from drying out
7
Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser for Glowy Skin
TULA Skincare Keep it Clear Acne Foam Cleanser
7
Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser for Glowy Skin
TULA Skincare Keep it Clear Acne Foam Cleanser
Pros
- Won’t leave your skin feeling stripped or dry like some acne cleansers will
Cons
- Some testers note that it took awhile to see results
10
Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Face Wash
10
Best Salicylic Acid Cleanser for Sensitive Skin
CeraVe Salicylic Acid Face Wash
Now 33% Off
Pros
- Extremely gentle formula that’s fragrance-free and won’t irritate even the most sensitive of skin
Cons
- Not a super intense concentration of salicylic acid, so it’ll take time to see results
14
Best Soothing Salicylic Acid Cleanser
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser
14
Best Soothing Salicylic Acid Cleanser
The INKEY List Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser
Pros
- Uses allantoin to soothe your skin
Cons
- Some testers say it works better on smaller breakouts rather than larger ones
15
Best Dermatologist-Approved Salicylic Acid Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash
15
Best Dermatologist-Approved Salicylic Acid Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Face Wash
Pros
- Uses a strong concentration of salicylic acid but still doesn’t dry out your skin
Cons
- There’s nothing we didn’t like about this formula
What is salicylic acid?
What else can salicylic acid treat other than acne?
How to choose the best salicylic acid cleansers:
Meet the experts:
Why trust Cosmo?
Associate Editor
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC’s newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you’ll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.
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