Salicylic acid is one of those skin care ingredients that once you’ve discovered, you will never get over. It’s the simplest ingredient to slip into your regimen, but it will make the biggest difference.
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Salicylic acid is a Beta-Hydroxy Acid (or BHA) that exfoliates your skin without drying it out. And if you’re someone who suffers from acne, it can help clear up and prevent future breakouts. We guarantee you’re going to want to add it into your routine ASAP.
You can incorporate salicylic acid into your skincare routine in a number of ways, one of which is gels. From cleansers to spot treatments, we’ve rounded up some of the top rated and most reviewed salicylic acid gels on beautyheaven. Read the reviews below to see which salicylic acid gel would work best for you…
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant
5/5 stars from 8 reviews
“I’ve been using this for about 3-4 years now, and reorder as soon as I run out. I use it at night, 2-3 times a week depending on if I have breakouts etc, and put more on if I’m treating something specific. It doesn’t dry out or flake my normal-oily skin, and isn’t dehydrating even though I don’t use a moisturiser as well on the nights I use it. It doesn’t make my redness worse which is a huge plus for being able to use chemical exfoliants. I’ve not tried many others, but when I see the prices in comparison, I just end up getting this again.” – beautyheaven member MrsRobinson
Read more reviews for Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant >
Sukin Blemish Control Spot Banishing Gel
5/5 stars from 6 reviews
“It has a nice light cream-gel texture (which can be used under makeup), I used this product only as a spot treatment and apply to areas where I breakout (usually on my forehead, jawline and chin). I have used a few other products similar in the past that are supposed to help with my breakouts when I was a teenager, but nothing like this that has helped to clear them up fast. The redness of these pesky spots and blemishes are reduced and after using it for a few days, there was hardly a scar visible and it went away like you never even had spots popped up to begin with. Overall, I am impressed with just how amazing this product has worked for my hormonal spots and blemishes that I experience during that time of the month. I now rarely pick at my spots and instead use the spot banishing gel as a last step to my skincare routine.” – beautyheaven member Caryl597
Read more reviews for Sukin Blemish Control Spot Banishing Gel >
BIODERMA Sébium Exfoliating Gel
5/5 stars from 6 reviews
“I try different brands. I try different exfoliating products. Yet I keep returning to this product. Tried and true, no other physical exfoliant feels so effective on my skin, nothing smooths my skin so efficiently and thoroughly. Doesn’t over scrub my skin or leave it red or tight feeling. My only gripe is the price at around $30, especially when my dear family members have gotten hooked on my bottle too.” – beautyheaven member Rayraybites
Read more reviews for BIODERMA Sébium Exfoliating Gel >
LYCON Anti Bump Foaming Gel
5/5 stars from 6 reviews
“I tend to get lots of ingrown hairs, so I love trying out new anti-ingrown hairs treatments. Lycon’s Anti-Bump Foaming Gel is my first venture into a body wash which targets ingrowns – and I am loving it! It not only prevents ingrown hairs, but also works to clear the skin from any nasty pimples/bumps etc. What is super exciting is that it can be used as a body wash or a face wash (although there is a strong warning about not getting it into the eyes due to the salicylic acid contained within – so do be careful if using it as a face wash).” – beautyheaven member Bellefleur
Read more reviews for LYCON Anti Bump Foaming Gel >
Ultraceuticals Ultra Gentle Exfoliating Gel
4/5 stars from 6 reviews
“I would never go back to a simple mechanical exfoliating gel/scrub after having used this dynamic combo of both chemical and mechanical exfoliants. After using this gel for about 2 weeks I have barely used any of the product (I use it about three times a week of an evening), and while it has a rather expensive price tag attached to it, it is very much worth every penny. My skin is smooth, clear and incredibly soft. As other reviewers have suggested however it does have a very unusual scent, but this is easily overlooked because this product is one of the good ones that actually does its job.” – beautyheaven member EssieJ20
Read more reviews for Ultraceuticals Ultra Gentle Exfoliating Gel >
Dermalogica MediBac™ Overnight Clearing Gel
4/5 stars from 36 reviews
“This product is great for those who suffer from proper pimples, overnight it will reduce the redness, reduce the size of pimples and prevents new ones. I do get a random pimple from time to time and in that matter, this product is great. It makes the healing process much faster. But what I expected was some help against my blackheads. It definitely didn’t cause more ( bonus!), but in my opinion it did not really lessen the amount of the existing ones. Perhaps there is too little salicylic acid in there or something. What is important though, the product is gentle enough and it doesn’t dry the skin out.” – beautyheaven member Anita1502
Read more reviews for Dermalogica MediBac™ Overnight Clearing Gel >
Do you use any salicylic acid gels? Have you tried any of these products?
Main image: @zendaya
A long time ago my face got so irritated by Salicylic Acid and now it works so well and I don’t have any problems… just purchased the Nip + Fab swipes but I also just got a Retinol so I’m not sure if I can use them both in the same week on a regular basis?
I got a few to trial and they were AMAZING. Very exxy though.
Haven’t tried these