Dermatologists Love These Salicylic Acid Cleansers to Help Unclog Pores

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Why Trust Us?A salicylic acid cleanser is one of those multitasking skincare products that people swear by. Whether you’re looking for one of the best acne treatments, a solution for clogged pores, or a tried and true face exfoliator to buff away dry, flaky skin, a face wash with salicylic acid can help you achieve the glowing, healthy skin you covet.“Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) in the category of active ingredients called salicylates, derived from willow bark,” says Ava Shamban, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, CA. As opposed to alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that simply exfoliate the skin’s surface layer, BHAs like salicylic acid penetrate through oil and work hard to unclog pores. “It gets to work like a little jackhammer,” Dr. Shamban adds, breaking down dead skin cells and dissolving impurities that build up and cause breakouts. Its exfoliatin...