Lathering up your face is an essential part of your daily skin care routine. But, not all foam face cleansers fit every skin type, and it’s critical to choose a wash based on your current skin concerns. If you’re currently dealing with acne, clogged pores, or oily skin, you’ve come to the right place, because salicylic acid cleansers are exactly what you need to treat your stubborn skin.
If you’re wondering what salicylic acid is in the first place, “it’s a chemical exfoliant—specifically a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA)—that cuts through oil to remove dirt and buildup deep down into the pores, resulting in clearer skin,” says dermatologist Bradley Glodny, MD. You can find this powerhouse acid in many different products, “but using them in a cleanser really helps clean the skin by removing the outer layer of the epidermis,” Dr. Glodny continues.
What to consider
Before you rush out to buy a salicylic acid cleanser—and there is no shortage of options for these products—there are few things you’ll want to keep in mind:
Key ingredients
Dermatologists Rebecca Marcus, MD, and Marisa Garshick, MD, recommend a slew of salicylic acid cleansers (see below, wink wink), but they all have one common thread: a mix of skin-loving ingredients. “Reading labels will certainly steer you in the right direction for hunting down the best salicylic acid face wash,” says Dr. Marcus. “For example, if you have dry skin, look for a formula with hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid.”
Dr. Garshick also recommends looking for ingredients like glycerin and ceramides if you have dry or sensitive skin. And since salicylic acid can be drying and irritating on the skin, you may also want to look for cleansers with “soothing ingredients like niacinamide and aloe vera, which help support the skin barrier, or humectants like hyaluronic acid to help draw in moisture,” says Dr. Garshick.
Texture
A cream or gel isn’t just about personal preference—different textures are better for specific skin types. “A cream face wash may be better for someone with more dry or sensitive skin as it tends to be more hydrating, while a foaming or gel wash is better for those with oily skin as it works to remove excess oil,” Dr. Garshick explains.
Percentage of salicylic acid
“The percentage of salicylic acid corresponds to the concentration which is generally found between 0.5 to 2%,” Dr. Garshick says. “The higher the concentration the more potent the ingredient, making washes containing 2% especially good for acne. Those with sensitive skin may prefer to opt for a lower percentage or a formula that also contains hydrating and soothing ingredients to minimize irritation.”
But if you’re looking to bust serious breakouts and your skin can tolerate it, stick with the max. Dr. Marcus says that a two percent concentration of salicylic acid in your face wash is the recommended amount needed to clear acne. “The effective concentration of salicylic acid is two percent, so make sure you don’t choose a product with a lower concentration,” she says. If you go any lower than the recommended concentration, your cleanser may not be super effective at combatting blemishes.
To go even harder on treating acne, Dr. Garshick says you can use products like salicylic acid spot treatments or creams in conjunction with a salicylic acid cleanser. “Alternatively, salicylic acid-containing products can be incorporated at different times of the day, with a cleanser in the morning and a leave-on product in the evening.”
So, what are you waiting for? See below for the six best salicylic acid cleansers for your skin type, whether you struggle with hormonal acne or you’re looking to reduce oil buildup.
CeraVe Acne Control Face Cleanser
Pros
- Controls shine and excess oil
- Gently exfoliates without stripping skin
- Recommended by dermatologists
Cons
- No the most sensorially pleasing experience
If we know anything about this face wash, it’s that it comes highly recommended by dermatologists and editors alike, and Dr. Garshick is no exception. “This acne wash helps reduce breakouts and gently exfoliates the skin with oil-absorbing hectorite clay,” she says. “The addition of hectorite clay also makes this good for those concerned about oil or shine as it helps to remove excess oil.”
Along with salicylic acid, it’s formulated with niacinamide and ceramides to ensure the skin isn’t left feeling dry or irritated. “The combination of salicylic acid with niacinamide and ceramides makes this easy to tolerate without sensitivity or irritation,” Dr. Garshick says. “Niacinamide can help to calm inflammation while ceramides help to support the skin barrier.”
Though this cleanser is gentle yet effective enough to work for practically any and every skin type, it’s especially great for acne sufferers with dry and/or sensitive skin. “This face wash has a creamy consistency and it turns into a light foaming lather as you work it in,” says beauty writer Celia Shatzman. “It left my skin feeling refreshed—translation: no more excess oil—but still very hydrated.”
Read more: Best Acne Body Washes
| Ingredients | Ceramides, Niacinamide |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream |
| Percentage of salicylic acid | 2% |
If we know anything about this face wash, it’s that it comes highly recommended by dermatologists and editors alike, and Dr. Garshick is no exception. “This acne wash helps reduce breakouts and gently exfoliates the skin with oil-absorbing hectorite clay,” she says. “The addition of hectorite clay also makes this good for those concerned about oil or shine as it helps to remove excess oil.”
Along with salicylic acid, it’s formulated with niacinamide and ceramides to ensure the skin isn’t left feeling dry or irritated. “The combination of salicylic acid with niacinamide and ceramides makes this easy to tolerate without sensitivity or irritation,” Dr. Garshick says. “Niacinamide can help to calm inflammation while ceramides help to support the skin barrier.”
Though this cleanser is gentle yet effective enough to work for practically any and every skin type, it’s especially great for acne sufferers with dry and/or sensitive skin. “This face wash has a creamy consistency and it turns into a light foaming lather as you work it in,” says beauty writer Celia Shatzman. “It left my skin feeling refreshed—translation: no more excess oil—but still very hydrated.”
Read more: Best Acne Body Washes
Pros
- Calming and soothing
- Eases inflammation and reduces redness
Cons
- Gel texture is on watery side
If your skin could use the efficacy of salicylic acid but can’t quite handle it, this gentle cleanser is the solution, since it swaps it for willow bark extract. “Willow bark is basically a natural alternative to a synthetic salicylic acid as willow bark is known to contain salicin, which is where salicylic acid is derived from,” Dr. Garshick says. “It tends to be more gentle and less irritating when compared to salicylic acid and may be a good option for someone who is unable to tolerate salicylic acid.”
The cleanser also contains the plant extract centella asiatica, which “is good for sensitive skin as it is calming and can help to reduce inflammation,” Dr. Garshick says. “It is hydrating and can help to support the skin barrier, making it a good option for sensitive skin.” Dermatologist Divya Shokeen, MD, adds that the powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and when applied topically, it can also promote skin healing.
Shatzman has sensitive skin and immediately notice how calming the formula is. “A lightweight gel, it’s super gentle on skin and has a delicate feel to it,” she says. “It left my skin clean and very soft. I noticed it felt less oily throughout the day after using it in the morning.”
| Ingredients | White Willow Bark, Chamomile, Centella Asiatica |
|---|---|
| Texture | Gel |
| Percentage of salicylic acid | N/A |
Pros
- Mild foam provides a nice texture
- Has a clean fresh scent
- Super affordable
Cons
- Best for oily or combination skin; might be too drying for others
Made specifically for acne, this cleanser contains a combination of two percent salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid (LHA). “This is a great option if you’re looking to reduce blackheads,” Dr. Garshick says. “As a gel cleanser it’s great for those with oily skin who may be more prone to blackheads, and the combination of salicylic acid with a micro-exfoliating LHA helps to get rid of dead skin cells, making it especially good to address stubbornly clogged pores.”
Dr. Garshick adds that it’s gentle enough to be used daily to help reduce breakouts and clogged skin. “It’s also a good option for those who want to avoid a scrub.”
As someone with oily but sensitive skin, Shatzman is a big fan of this cleanser. “Between the crisp, clean scent and the gel consistency, this feels very refreshing,” she says. “When lathered onto skin with water, it transforms into a mild, gentle foam. As someone with very oily skin, I appreciate that this washed away excess sebum without leaving my skin feeling taut or too dry.”
| Ingredients | Lipo-Hydroxy Acid (LHA), Glycerin |
|---|---|
| Texture | Gel |
| Percentage of salicylic acid | 2% |
Pros
- Affordable and widely available
- Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
- May feel too thick for some
If your skincare routine includes other acne treatments, it’s important to keep skin hydrated and this cleanser can help. Cream formulas help dry and/or sensitive skin retain moisture because they’re typically designed to cleanse without disrupting the lipid barrier. This formula has aloe to soothe, plus white tea to deliver antioxidants.
“I’m not usually one to like a cream cleanser, but this one has won me over time and time again (seriously, I think I’ve bought it 10 times),” says Health AI Expert Commerce Editor Lily Wohlner. “Although it’s super thick and creamy when it comes out of the bottle, it transforms into a luscious foam when applied to the skin. Once you wash it off, you see and feel the effects of the deep-cleansing salicylic acid—your face will have that fresh-looking shine, but it won’t feel dry or stripped.”
| Ingredients | White Tea, Aloe |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cream |
| Percentage of salicylic acid | 2% |
Pros
- Zaps excess oil
- Can be used on face and body
Cons
- Can feel drying for those with less oily complexions
“This acne wash uses Microclear technology to improve delivery of the active ingredients (hi, salicylic acid) and to help reduce blackheads and breakouts,” Dr. Garshick explains. It also won’t clog pores and can be used once or twice daily on the face and body. “The enhanced delivery system makes it safe and effective for both the face and body,” she says. That’s because some body skin can be more delicate and sensitive with fewer sebaceous glands than the face.
The cult classic cleanser has been around for years, and there’s no question why people still love it. “But the formula has evolved since my days as a teen with acne—in the best way,” Shatzman says. “The sharp scent is gone, and so is that tight feeling. The gel is satisfyingly thick, works into a nice lather, and your face feels crisp and clean when you rinse it off. My skin felt less oily immediately after.”
| Ingredients | Microclear technology |
|---|---|
| Texture | Gel |
| Percentage of salicylic acid | 2% |
Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash
Pros
- Gently exfoliates with AHAs and BHAs
- Targets breakouts and enhances radiance
Cons
- Bottle is on the smaller side
“When I had seriously bad acne, this became my go-to face wash,” Wohlner says. “I found that it soothed my red, irritated blemishes, but it also removed the day’s impurities and left my skin feeling exfoliated and looking much brighter and more radiant almost immediately after cleansing. Whenever I have a little breakout or my skin is having a rough week, I reach for this staple (she has a forever home under my sink in case of emergency).”
Bright skin is smooth skin, and this formula taps both AHAs (glycolic acid) and BHAs (salicylic acid) to chemically exfoliate, removing dead skin cells that can leave your complexion looking dull. It’s also spiked with vitamin C, licorice and lily extract to brighten even more.
| Ingredients | Glycolic acid, vitamin C, licorice extract, lily extract |
|---|---|
| Texture | Gel |
| Percentage of salicylic acid | Unlisted |
