If you’re battling acne, you’ve probably tried every cream, ointment, and lotion available on drugstore shelves. Unfortunately, many of the products you’ve picked contain benzoyl peroxide. It’s great for folks who deal with the occasional spots, but for those whose blemishes are a little too stubborn salicylic acid could be the solution they’ve been looking for.

Salicylic acid is one of the most potent acne-fighting ingredients available over the counter. It can zap zits overnight, leaving the blemish much less noticeable. But what makes it so powerful?

Similar ingredients you’d find in an aspirin tablet.

Just like the painkiller found in just about every medicine cabinet in America, salicylic acid is derived from willow bark. This skincare superstar is a popular addition to acne treatments because of its ability to break apart skin cells that lead to clogged pores. It’s incredibly oil-soluble, which gives it the ability to penetrate deeply into the pores, while other OTC treatments tend to stay on the surface.

Once you’ve applied salicylic acid to your skin, it goes to work dissolving the debris in your pores that lead to blackheads and whiteheads. While it’s busy scrubbing out your pores, it’s also healing them, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Higher concentrations of salicylic acid can even be used as a mild chemical peel, sloughing off the surface layers of skin and giving your pores a deep cleaning.

Adding Salicylic Acid to Your Skincare Routine

At Advanced Skin Therapeutics, we can help you discover the salicylic acid treatment that will best fit into your skincare routine.

For those looking for everyday oil control, NeoStrata’s soap-free Mandelic Clarifying Cleanser is formulated with a blend of Gluconolactone (a Polyhydroxy Acid/PHA), Mandelic and Salicylic Acids to improve skin texture and lightly exfoliate, while washing away excess oil and problematic bacteria.

Perfect for combination to oily skin, we offer NeoStrata’s Targeted Clarifying Gel a triple action gel of saliylic acid, pro-vitamin A and a blend of alpha hydroxy acids that exfoliate the buildup of dead skin cells and help keep pores clear of impurities.

CeraVe’s line of treatments addresses rough and bumpy skin on the body.Ā  Their Renewing SA Cream is your daily defense against extremely dry skin. Its patented MVE formulation releases ceramides, niacinamide and other essential ingredients throughout the day increasing the skin’s ability to attract, hold and distribute moisture. The addition of salicylic acid goes to work softening and exfoliating your skin.

Our own 2% Glycolic 2% Salicylic Pads,Ā  5%Glycolic 2% Salicylic Pads and 10% Glycolic 2% Salicylic Pads are specially formulated to de-grease and wipe away dirt, oil and bacteria while accelerating the removal of dead skin cells.

Wherever you are on your skincare journey, the experts at AST can help you find the products that will renew, refresh, and revitalize your complexion.