01
REVIEWPUBLISHED 2015
Salicylic acid breaks down the keratin plugs that block pores in comedones.
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SKINCARE
• MIXED
Salicylic Acid for Closed Comedones
RESEARCH
- Breaks down keratin plugs
- Reduces sebum production
- Works for active acne too
- Evidence unclear vs alternatives
COMMUNITY
- Results highly variable
- Works better on body
- Benzoyl peroxide more effective
⚠
SAFETYGenerally safe topically, but avoid during pregnancy—consult your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to be.
WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS
ALL 14 ON PUBMED ↗BASED ON 14 PUBMED STUDIES
02
IN VITRO STUDY⚠ LABORATORY STUDY IN ISOLATED SEBOCYTES, NOT TESTED IN LIVING SKIN OR FULL ACNE TREATMENT.
Salicylic acid reduces oil production in skin cells that fuel acne.
03
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW⚠ LIMITED NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE TRIALS FOR SALICYLIC ACID SPECIFICALLY; MOST COMPARISONS LACKED RIGOROUS DESIGN.
Evidence on how well salicylic acid treats acne compared to other options remains unclear.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
READ THREADS ON REDDIT ↗COMMUNITY SENTIMENT
35% positive
“I could do you one better. I've been using salicylic acid products for 10 yrs, but only in the morning. Over 10 yrs. And yet I was constantly getting breakouts and closed comedones, whiteheads, etc all over my face and could only keep them somewhat in check with a ton of BP, which dried me out like a raisin. Then, a few weeks ago, I was like, hey. Maybe those raised thing are not hormonal acne. They do appear whenever. What if I use salicylic acid day and night, instead of glycolic?”
U/LILYEVANSS ↗“same, honestly... my experience is also based on the Paula's Choice 2% BHA, and it doesn't seem to do anything for my face. I try using it on and around my nose sometimes but see no effect, and if I use it elsewhere on my face it just seems to make things worse. It DOES however help with closed comedones on my body, specifically with hair follicles that are prone to getting clogged or ingrown, but that's kinda the only use I can get out of it.”
U/SEASONALIEN ↗“Minimalist salicylic acid did nothing to my acne and i used for 2 years religiously. Finally quit that and started using benzoyl peroxide gel and tretinoin”
U/COOLYOGURTCLOSET3096 ↗COMMENTS
Add context that might help others — skin type, conditions like PCOS, what you'd tried before. The more specific, the more useful.
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