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Best Salicylic Acid Products for Blemishes UK

Salicylic acid (a BHA) is oil-soluble, so it can clear inside pores — which is why it is a staple for breakouts and blackheads. These cleansers, toners and treatments contain it.

10 salicylic acid products for blemishes compared

Our top pick is No7 Good Intent Blemish Buff Hydrocolloid Blemish Patches 32 Pack: salicylic acid is the 3rd of 6 ingredients and no fragrance is listed. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution come next. We rank on ingredient lists only, not skin testing.

ProductKey ingredient (position)FragranceBrand says it suits
1. No7 Good Intent Blemish Buff Hydrocolloid Blemish Patches 32 Pack Salicylic Acid — 3rd of 6 None listed Blemish-prone
2. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum Salicylic Acid — 4th of 9 None listed Not stated
3. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution Salicylic Acid — 4th of 9 None listed Not stated
4. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Advanced Clearing Gel Salicylic Acid — 1st of 13 None listed Dry, combination, oily and blemish-prone
5. No7 Good Intent Pore Buff Clarifying Acid Pads 80 Pads Salicylic Acid — 6th of 12 None listed Not stated
6. CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin 40ml Salicylic Acid — 6th of 24 None listed Blemish-prone
7. Clinique Clarifying Lotion Twice a Day Exfoliator 3 for Combination/Oily Skin 400ml Salicylic Acid — 3rd of 17 None listed Combination and oily
8. NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Face Wash Gel with Salicylic Acid, 150ml Salicylic Acid — 7th of 10 None listed Not stated
9. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque 50ml Salicylic Acid — 7th of 19 None listed Not stated
10. NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Serum Infused Micellar Water 400ml Salicylic Acid — 7th of 22 None listed Not stated
  1. No7 Good Intent Blemish Buff Hydrocolloid Blemish Patches 32 Pack

    No7 Good Intent Blemish Buff Hydrocolloid Blemish Patches 32 Pack

    • Salicylic Acid is the 3rd of 6 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    • Brand recommends for blemish-prone skin
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  2. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum

    The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum

    • Salicylic Acid is the 4th of 9 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  3. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution

    The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution

    • Salicylic Acid is the 4th of 9 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  4. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Advanced Clearing Gel

    Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clinical Advanced Clearing Gel

    • Salicylic Acid is the 1st of 13 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    • Drying alcohol high in the list
    • Brand recommends for dry, combination, oily and blemish-prone skin
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  5. No7 Good Intent Pore Buff Clarifying Acid Pads 80 Pads

    No7 Good Intent Pore Buff Clarifying Acid Pads 80 Pads

    • Salicylic Acid is the 6th of 12 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  6. CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin 40ml

    CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin 40ml

    • Salicylic Acid is the 6th of 24 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    • Brand recommends for blemish-prone skin
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  7. Clinique Clarifying Lotion Twice a Day Exfoliator 3 for Combination/Oily Skin 400ml

    Clinique Clarifying Lotion Twice a Day Exfoliator 3 for Combination/Oily Skin 400ml

    • Salicylic Acid is the 3rd of 17 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    • Drying alcohol high in the list
    • Brand recommends for combination and oily skin
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  8. NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Face Wash Gel with Salicylic Acid, 150ml

    NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Face Wash Gel with Salicylic Acid, 150ml

    • Salicylic Acid is the 7th of 10 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  9. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque 50ml

    The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque 50ml

    • Salicylic Acid is the 7th of 19 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk
  10. NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Serum Infused Micellar Water 400ml

    NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Serum Infused Micellar Water 400ml

    • Salicylic Acid is the 7th of 22 ingredients
    • No fragrance listed
    Paid link · Opens Amazon.co.uk

How we picked

We compare products only on what their ingredient lists show — we haven't tested them on skin, and no brand pays to be included. On UK and EU labels, ingredients above 1% must be listed from highest to lowest concentration, so we rank products higher when the key ingredient sits nearer the top — a useful guide, though not an exact measure of strength. Products with no fragrance listed score higher; drying alcohol near the top and essential oils score lower; and we give credit when the brand says a product is made for the skin type in question. Whether a product is available on Amazon never affects its rank.

New to salicylic acid? Read what it does and who it suits →

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