Blemishes seem to always pop up at the most inconvenient times and if you're someone prone to getting them, we’re sure you’re constantly questioning ‘How do I get clear skin?’ and tried almost every product or remedy there is out there. Salicylic acid also known as BHA (beta hydroxy acid) is a chemical exfoliant that works to reduce acne by unclogging pores and reducing sebum production. It’s also the ideal exfoliant for sensitive skin because of its natural inflammatory properties.
Closer's top salicylic acid serums at a glance:
Editor's choice: Caudalie Skincare Vinopure Blemish Control Salicylic Serum, £32 on Cult Beauty
Best all rounder salicylic acid serum: Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant, £35 on Cult Beauty
Best budget salicylic acid serum: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid, £5.80 at Boots
Skincare expert and Education Manager at Paula’sChoice, Heather Wish says ‘’When we’re young, the skin naturally sheds immense amounts of dead skin every day. This shedding process slows down over time due to sun damage and other factors. As the dead skin accumulates, the result is dull, rough texture, clogged (and enlarged) pores, magnified fine lines, and uneven skin tone. Adding a gentle salicylic acid exfoliant helps skin exfoliate like it did when we were younger. You won’t feel what it’s doing, but you’ll see the results.’’
SHOP: the best salicylic acid serums 2024
Great if you're on a budget
www.boots.com
A light formula for all skin types, in particular congested or prone to blemishes. The serum works by removing dead skin cells that would later result in clogged pores and after regular use, it creates a clearer complexion.
Pros
- Great to use with niacinamide.
- Reduces blackheads and spots quicker.
- Great price.
Cons
- Possibility of skin becoming dry and red.
- Can experience itchy skin.
- Flakiness may occur
Best for oily, combination or dehydrated skin
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
A gentle acid for skin that’s prone to breakouts and blackheads. This serum controls excess oil and creates a more even and clearer skin complexion. Best for oily, combination or dehydrated skin.
Pros
- Clears skin without being too intrusive.
- Great for clogged pores.
- Helps to brighten your skin for the day ahead.
- Low fuss but effective.
Cons
- The bottle isn’t the biggest.
- Can leave your face looking slightly oily.
- Skin can break out badly but once you’ve got through that stage your skin is glowing.
The best for refining pores
www.sephora.co.uk
A calming and hydrating serum that gently addresses the appearance of breakouts and visibly refines clogged pores.
Pros
- Visible improvement in fine lines and wrinkles.
- Significant decongestion.
- Reduction of pore size.
- Evens skin tone effectively.
Cons
- Skin purges in the first stage of use.
- The scent isn’t particularly pleasant.
- Bottle is small although you only need a small amount on application.
Best results after long term use
www.lookfantastic.com
Whilst providing deep exfoliation, the Nip+Fab product, ideal for problematic skin, treats and prevents blemishes, resulting in a clearer and smoother surface. It includes extracts of soothing aloe vera to hydrate and calm your complexion.
Pros
- Reduces inflammation effectively.
- After only 2 weeks, the skin is noticeably clearer.
- Smells delicious.
- Can be used as a spot treatment alone.
Cons
- Can dry the skin out.
- Some have said because of the tint of the product can cause the acne to be slightly more pigmented.
The serum with the most natural ingredients
www.lookfantastic.com
Want a healthy shine-free glow? The Caudalie salicylic serum visibly improves the quality of acne-prone skin by effectively unclogging pores and reducing imperfections. The skin is left clearer and visibly glowing.
Pros
- Leaves skin feeling tighter and brighter.
- Reduced pore size.
- Ingredients are all natural, making it vegan.
- Banishes stubborn blackheads.
Cons
- Scent before application is different but pleasant after application.
The best for glowing skin
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
For flawless and radiant-looking skin, Paula’s Choice liquid exfoliant gently removes built-up dead skin cells on the surface as well as deep inside whilst battling against stubborn blackheads.
Pros
- The bottle lasts a very long time.
- It’s the perfect balance of strong and gentle.
- Creates a glowing, flawless complexion.
- Very easy to apply.
Cons
- Can dry skin out.
- Skin tends to break out upon first use.
AHA vs BHA what's the best for my skin?
Expert, Heather Wish compares AHA and BHA so you know what is best for your skin:
AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) exfoliants include ingredients such as glycolic, mandelic, lactic, tartaric, and malic acids, which are ideal for normal to dry and sun-damaged skin. This type of exfoliation targets numerous concerns, including evening out skin tone, smoothing rough flaky patches of skin, aiding collagen replenishment, and softening the appearance of wrinkles.
Salicylic acid (also known as BHA or beta hydroxy acid) is the perfect exfoliant for oily/combination skin or ANYONE dealing with breakouts or pore issues. In addition to smoothing the surface of skin, salicylic acid can penetrate deeper into pores to remove debris that would normally lead to clogs.
Heather’s tips on using salicylic acid:
The first step is to find a leave-on exfoliant that doesn’t contain any irritating ingredients such as essential oils, fragrance, witch hazel, eucalyptus, or menthol. Those types of ingredients can make the acids difficult for your skin to tolerate (or any skincare ingredients for that matter).
You also need to ensure the exfoliant has a high enough concentration of the acid so it can do its job: AHAs work best in concentrations between 5%–10% and BHA works best in concentrations between 1%–2% such as Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, £35 (BHA has a different molecular structure than AHAs so less concentration is required to see results).