Salicylic Acid, BHA- Beta Hydroxy Acid, is a potent ingredient in our skincare routine. It exfoliates the skin, keeps the pores clear (of acne, blackheads, and whiteheads), and leaves the skin healthy. It is vital to choose the best Salicylic acid face wash depending on your skin type and the problem you have to counter. In this article, we’ll try to know everything to make the right choice.
S.no.
Product Name
Price (in Rs)
1
3299
2
Urban Essence 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Anti Acne Face Wash
495
3
Pilgrim 1.5% Salicylic (BHA) & 2% Glycolic Acid (AHA) Foaming Face Wash
345
4
Dot & Key CICA Calming Blemish Clearing Face Wash
295
5
Minimalist 2% Salicylic Acid Face Wash
299
6
Mamaearth Tea Tree Foaming Face Wash
399
7
Plum 1% Encapsulated Salicylic Acid Foaming Face Wash
325
8
The Derma Co 1% Salicylic Acid Gel Face Wash
299
9
Prolixr Acne Control Foaming Face Wash
349
10
Sotrue 2% Salicylic Acid Face Wash
299
We’ll learn more about each product, its key ingredients, what is best suited for which skin type, its pros and cons, and the relevant user feedback.
It is a gel-based foaming facial cleanser. It has 2% Salicylic acid, hectorite clay, niacinamide, and three essential ceramides (1,3,6-II) as its main ingredients. Salicylic acid removes dead skin cells, reduces blackheads, and treats and prevents acne. Oil-absorbing purifying clay keeps pores unclogged. Niacinamide soothes the skin. Ceramides help restore and maintain the skin’s natural balance.
Pros
Cons
Best suited for oily and combination skin
Not suitable for extra dry and dry skin
Removes extra oil and clears clogged pores
Highly-priced
Treats and prevents acne
Has a strong smell to it
It is best suited for oily skin or combination skin types.
User feedback is excellent, and it is rated 4.7/5 on Amazon.
Launched on March 14, 2022.
It is a foaming type of face wash. Its active ingredients are Benzoyl Peroxide (10%), Salicylic Acid (2%), Glycerine, and Aloe Vera. Benzoyl Peroxide kills the acne-causing bacteria and reduces the inflammation of the skin. Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin and keeps pores unclogged. Glycerine and Aloe Vera keep the skin hydrated.
Pros
Cons
Best suited for oily, combination, and normal skin
Not suitable for extra dry and dry skin
Exfoliates the skin. It removes excess oil and dirt
The price is slightly high
Treats and prevents acne
It is best suited for oily, combination, and normal skin types.
User feedback is excellent, and it is rated 4.7/5 on Amazon.
Launched on December 13, 2022.
This face wash is a foaming type. The main ingredients are Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Nutmeg (Yugdugu). Glycolic acid exfoliates the top layer of dead skin cells and gradually reduces the discolouration of the skin. Salicylic acid profoundly cleanses the pores and is a potent acne-fighting agent. It removes blackheads and whiteheads and controls sebum production in the skin. Nutmeg is a natural antibacterial agent. It contains oiliness and regulates the breakouts of acne. It also reduces the visibility of blemishes, dark spots, and redness.
Pros
Cons
Best suited for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin
Not suitable for extra dry and dry skin
It cleanses the skin thoroughly and controls excess oil production
It treats acne and prevents further breakouts
It also fades the blemishes
The price is moderate
It is best suited for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types.
User feedback is good and rated (4/5) on Amazon.
Launched on October 28, 2021.
This face wash is gel-based. Its power ingredients are Salicylic acid (2%), Cica, green tea, and tree oil. Salicylic acid exfoliates dead skin cells and dissolves acne-causing bacteria. It removes blackheads and helps reduce blemishes. Cica deeply cleanses the pores of dust, pollution, and excess oil. Green tea and tea tree oil have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce skin irritation, inflammation, and redness.
Pros
Cons
Best suited for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin
Not suitable for extra-dry, dry, and normal skin
Deeply cleanses the pores of dirt and excess oil
Reduces skin inflammation and redness
Moderately priced
It is best suited for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types.
User feedback is good, and it is rated 4.2/5 on Amazon.
Launched on August 31, 2022.
It has a liquid-type formulation. Its main ingredients are Salicylic and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA), zinc, and vitamin B5. The salicylic Acid and LHA combo in this wash give multi-level cleansing. Zinc has antibacterial properties. Vitamin B5 hydrates the skin.
Pros
Cons
Best suited for oily and combination, acne-prone, and sensitive skin
Not suitable for extra dry and dry skin
Mildly but effectively cleanses the skin
Treats acne
Hydrates the skin
Moderately priced
It is best suited for oily to combination skin types.
User feedback is good, and it is rated 4.1/5 on Amazon.
Launched on June 5, 2021.
It is a foaming type of wash. The main ingredients are Salicylic acid, tea tree, Aloe Vera, and neem. Salicylic acid with tea tree cleanses the skin of all dirt and excess oil and controls acne. Neem kills the bacteria, and Aloe vera soothes and moisturizes the skin.
Pros
Cons
They are suited for all skin types
Priced a little higher
Cleanses and exfoliates effectively
It doesn’t have any potent moisturizing agent in it
Treats acne and prevents further breakouts
It is suited for all skin types.
User feedback is good, and it is rated 4.1/5 on Amazon.
Launched on December 24, 2020.
It has a gel-based formulation. The main ingredients are Salicylic Acid (1%), Glycolic Acid (0.2%), Aloe Vera, and Pentylene Glycol. Salicylic acid penetrates deep into the skin and unclogs the pores. The encapsulation technology of this product ensures a sustained release of BHA. Glycolic acid helps in the gentle exfoliation of the skin. Aloe Vera and Pentylene Glycol hydrate the skin.
Pros
Cons
Best suited for oily, combination, sensitive, and normal skin
Not suitable for extra dry and dry skin
Fights acne
Slightly high priced
Gently exfoliates and unclogs pores
It best suits oily, sensitive, combination, and normal skin types.
User feedback is good, and it is rated 4.1/5 on Amazon.
Launched on August 9, 2022.
It has a gel-type formulation. Its active ingredients are Salicylic Acid (1%), Witch hazel, and Willow bark. Salicylic acid is a critical peeling agent. It sheds the outer dead layer of the skin, unclogs the pores, and prevents acne. Witch hazel tightens the pores, reduces inflammation, and lightens the acne scars. Willow bark refines the pores and controls the excess oil.
Pros
Cons
Suited for people with open pores and oily and acne-prone skin
Not suitable for extra dry and dry skin
Exfoliates effectively and unclogs the pores
Treats and prevents acne
Tightens the open pore
Controls sebum production
It is best suited for open-pores, oily, and acne-prone skin types.
User feedback is good and it is rated 4/5 on Amazon.
Launched on May 20, 2021.
It is a foaming type of face wash. Its potent ingredients are Salicylic acid and Tea tree oil. Salicylic acid is a deep cleanser that unclogs the pores, controls sebum production, and reduces acne. It keeps the skin clear.
Pros
Cons
Suited for all skin types
Doesn’t contain any potent moisturising agent
Effectively removes all the dirt
Slightly high in price
Treats acne and controls sebum production
It is suited for all skin types.
User feedback is good, and it is rated 4/5 on Amazon.
Launched on March 24, 2022.
It is a gel-based face wash. Its potent ingredients are Salicylic acid (2%), AHA, and natural ingredients like Aloe vera, lemon, and orange peel. Salicylic acid controls excess sebum production and clears out the skin of dead cells. It treats and prevents acne. Natural ingredients heal and soothe the skin.
Pros
Cons
Best suited for all skin types
It doesn’t lather up
Treats acne
Mild cleanser
Moderately priced
It is suited for all skin types.
User feedback is good, and it is rated 4.2/5 on Amazon.
Launched on December 30, 2021.
Salicylic Acid (BHA) works as a chemical exfoliator. It is an oil-soluble ingredient. It penetrates the hair follicle and oil gland and dissolves and removes the outer dead layer of cells on the skin, which causes acne. It deeply cleanses the skin, unclogs the pores, and controls excess oil production. It helps the skin to renew new layers of cells and keep it healthy and dirt free.
You must be wondering which is the best Salicylic Acid face Wash for you!
The best way to choose is to know your skin type and the skin problem you face.
If you have oily and acne-prone skin, you can choose any face wash containing 2% Salicylic Acid.
Another question that comes to mind for oily and acne-prone skinned people is whether they should moisturize their skin after Salicylic acid or not.
Yes, but they should use very light moisturizer only.
Now, which face wash contains 2% Salicylic Acid?
We have already listed them above for you.
What is the highest permissible Salicylic Acid limit one can use?
It is usually used in the range of (0.5-2%). The highest Salicylic Acid is 2%.
If you have dry, sensitive, and combination skin, you can choose the face wash with (0.5-1%) Salicylic acid.
The next question is whether you should moisturise your skin after Salicylic acid.
Yes, you should moisturise your skin very well.
Regular usage or high dosages can have harmful effects on the skin. It can cause skin irritation, itchiness, redness, and burning. It can cause peeling and drying out of the skin. It can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the Sun.
Yes, it can be used every day, but better use it once a day. Choose the face wash as per the skin type and the limit of salicylic acid in it.
And how long do you leave Salicylic acid on your face?
You keep it 30-60 seconds max while using it in a face wash.
And don’t forget to moisturise your face.
Regular use of Salicylic Acid Face Wash can increase your skin's sensitivity to the Sun. So, it is advisable to use appropriate Sunscreen. Since Salicylic acid removes the outer layer of dead cells of your skin and unclogs your pores, you are advised to close them with the proper toner and moisturise it well so that it doesn’t dry out. Otherwise, it can leave your skin bare and unprotected, highly susceptible to skin problems like open pores, acne, and further breakouts.
Salicylic acid is a potent ingredient to treat acne and an effective exfoliator that cleanses the skin unclogs the pores, and leaves the skin soft and glowing. But it is essential to choose the best Salicylic Acid face Wash as per your skin type. And it is equally important to moisturise your skin and use proper Sunscreen.
We hope this article helps you make an informed decision per your requirements, skin type and budget.
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