I learned to treat stubborn blemishes with Salicylic Acid, a Beta Hydroxy Acid, that derived from willow bark extract. The acne medication has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to exfoliate within the pores to prevent future break-outs. It is proven to be more effective on non-inflammatory acne, such as blackheads (oxidized whiteheads) and whiteheads (trapped sebum, bacteria underneath the skin). Majority of the time, Salicylic Acid is used to treat acne, but other skin conditions can benefit as well. Some examples are psoriasis, calluses, and warts.
My first Salicylic Acid purchase was Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion. This Lotion has the correct concentration and pH for Salicylic Acid to be an effective exfoliating treatment. Many Salicylic Acid products on the market have the incorrect pH, but the correct concentration. I would advise to check the pH of the Salicylic Acid product first before purchasing. Below, I chose top Salicylic Acid products that worked to unclog pores and reviewed them. They all have the correct pH and concentration to be an effective Salicylic Acid treatment.
Purpose:
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion was a lightweight, soft lotion that had a bearable fragrance. It went on smoothly and absorbed into my skin very well. The lotion reduced pimple size, swelling, and redness. It absorbed excess oil on my skin. I tried to gradually apply the treatment once daily than 2-3 times daily, and my skin dried out. The Salicylic Acid lotion worked okay to unclog whiteheads, but not blackheads.
Purpose:
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid absorbed easily into my skin and removed traces of debris from my skin after cleansing. The Liquid worked well as a facial toner and acne treatment in one convenient product. In a week, I started to break-out on and off. Once my skin adjusted to the Liquid, it minimized the chances of developing pimples. This BHA Liquid did a great job at unclogging pores, but I developed blackheads. Also, it dried my skin out at times.
Purpose:
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Gel smoothed over my skin and took a while to absorb. It wasn't sticky or oily on the skin. In the first month, my skin broke-out on and off. It dried my skin out during the first month of usage, but it became less drying over-time and soothed my skin. This acne treatment helped to unclog pores and calm the skin. Like Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid, I developed blackheads.
Final Thoughts:
All of these Salicylic Acid treatments were effective at unclogging pores. Some worked better to eliminate whiteheads and blackheads. Again, check the pH and steer clear of Salicylic Acid in cleansers and scrubs. As with all exfoliating treatments, they need to be left on the skin to be effective. If Salicylic Acid didn't work for you, I recommend another method called facial steaming. Every week, I would steam my face to loosen clogged pores and manually extract them. I've had much success with Salicylic Acid and facial steaming when combined together.
Ingredients:
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion:
Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (2%) (Acne Treatment).
Inactive Ingredients: Water, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol Beeswax, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum Zeylancium Bark Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cedrus Atlantica (Blue Atlas Cedar) Bark Extract, Bisabolol (L-Alpha), Allantoin (Comfrey Root), Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum).
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid:
Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol (slip agents/penetration enhancers), Salicylic Acid(beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Extract (anti-irritant/antioxidant), Polysorbate-20 (solubolizing agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent).
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Gel:
Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, (solvent/water-binding agent), Polysorbate 20 (emulsifier), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Phytosphingosine (cell-communicating ingredient), Hydroxyethylcellulose (gel-based thickener), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract (antioxidant), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (antioxidant) Epilobium Angustifolium (Willow Herb) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (anti-irritant), Bisabolol (anti-irritant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH-adjusting agent), Tetrasodium EDTA (chelating agent).
My first Salicylic Acid purchase was Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion. This Lotion has the correct concentration and pH for Salicylic Acid to be an effective exfoliating treatment. Many Salicylic Acid products on the market have the incorrect pH, but the correct concentration. I would advise to check the pH of the Salicylic Acid product first before purchasing. Below, I chose top Salicylic Acid products that worked to unclog pores and reviewed them. They all have the correct pH and concentration to be an effective Salicylic Acid treatment.
Purpose:
- Oil-free, lightweight lotion with maximum acne medicine to fight, clear, and prevent future break-outs.
- Effective to maintain clear, soft, and smooth skin when used daily.
- Has a blend of soothing botanical extracts to prevent irritation, peeling, and dryness.
- Has been clinically proven to visibly reduce full face acne severity, pimple size, pimple swelling, and pimple redness in 8 hours.
- Non-comedogenic.
- Dermatologist-tested.
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion was a lightweight, soft lotion that had a bearable fragrance. It went on smoothly and absorbed into my skin very well. The lotion reduced pimple size, swelling, and redness. It absorbed excess oil on my skin. I tried to gradually apply the treatment once daily than 2-3 times daily, and my skin dried out. The Salicylic Acid lotion worked okay to unclog whiteheads, but not blackheads.
Purpose:
- Exfoliates, calms redness, and builds collagen to reveal smoother, firmer, and younger-looking skin.
- Unclogs and diminishes enlarged pores to create a radiant, clear, and even skin tone.
- Gentle yet still effective on stubborn acne and blackheads.
- Has anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm rosacea skin.
- Liquid formula gives instant radiance with the strongest 2% Salicylic Acid.
- 2% BHA Liquid exfoliates the surface of the skin and inside the pore.
- Reshapes the pore lining, unclog pores, and improves cell turnover rate, so the skin looks healthier.
- Research has shown that BHA increases collagen production and smooths the skin’s surface.
- Also has anti-bacterial properties to attack bacteria that cause blemishes.
- BHA is a lightweight, non-occlusive formula that allows BHA to exfoliate at a faster, deeper rate than a gel or lotion.
- Ideal for stubborn clogged pores and blackheads.
- Has a pH range of 3.2-3.6.
- Formulated with soothing agents.
- For all skin types.
- Texture is more suited for normal, combination, and oily skin with stubborn blackheads and blemishes.
- Can be used on feet calluses, elbows, and knees.
- Fragrance-free.
- No dyes or coloring agents.
- No animal testing.
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid absorbed easily into my skin and removed traces of debris from my skin after cleansing. The Liquid worked well as a facial toner and acne treatment in one convenient product. In a week, I started to break-out on and off. Once my skin adjusted to the Liquid, it minimized the chances of developing pimples. This BHA Liquid did a great job at unclogging pores, but I developed blackheads. Also, it dried my skin out at times.
Purpose:
- A non-sticky gel that exfoliates, smooths, calms redness, and builds collagen.
- Unclogs, diminishes enlarged pores to reveal firmer, younger-looking skin.
- Gives a radiant, clear, and even skin tone.
- Reduces stubborn acne and fades discolorations.
- Water-based formula.
- Maximum strength 2% Salicylic Acid.
- 2% BHA Gel exfoliates the surface of the skin and inside the pore lining.
- Reshapes the pore lining to unclog pores and improve cell turnover rate.
- Improves the appearance and function of the skin.
- Research has shown that BHA increases collagen production and smooths the skin’s surface.
- BHA also has anti-bacterial properties to attack bacteria that cause blemishes.
- Silky gel-based formula has twice the amount of Salicylic Acid compared to the Exfoliating 1% BHA Gel to fight stubborn blemishes and blackheads.
- Has anti-inflammatory ingredients to calm rosacea skin.
- Fragrance-free.
- No dyes.
- No coloring agents.
- Has a pH range of 3.2-3.6.
- Has soothing agents.
- For all skin types, but suits normal to very oily skin with blemishes.
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Gel smoothed over my skin and took a while to absorb. It wasn't sticky or oily on the skin. In the first month, my skin broke-out on and off. It dried my skin out during the first month of usage, but it became less drying over-time and soothed my skin. This acne treatment helped to unclog pores and calm the skin. Like Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid, I developed blackheads.
Final Thoughts:
All of these Salicylic Acid treatments were effective at unclogging pores. Some worked better to eliminate whiteheads and blackheads. Again, check the pH and steer clear of Salicylic Acid in cleansers and scrubs. As with all exfoliating treatments, they need to be left on the skin to be effective. If Salicylic Acid didn't work for you, I recommend another method called facial steaming. Every week, I would steam my face to loosen clogged pores and manually extract them. I've had much success with Salicylic Acid and facial steaming when combined together.
Ingredients:
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Lotion:
Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (2%) (Acne Treatment).
Inactive Ingredients: Water, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethiconol Beeswax, Dimethicone, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Capryloyl Glycine, Sarcosine, Cinnamomum Zeylancium Bark Extract, Hexylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Cedrus Atlantica (Blue Atlas Cedar) Bark Extract, Bisabolol (L-Alpha), Allantoin (Comfrey Root), Propylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Acrylates/C10 30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Parfum).
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Liquid:
Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol (slip agents/penetration enhancers), Salicylic Acid(beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Extract (anti-irritant/antioxidant), Polysorbate-20 (solubolizing agent), Sodium Hydroxide (pH balancer), Disodium EDTA (chelating agent).
Paula's Choice Exfoliating 2% BHA Gel:
Water, Methylpropanediol, Butylene Glycol, (solvent/water-binding agent), Polysorbate 20 (emulsifier), Salicylic Acid (beta hydroxy acid/exfoliant), Phytosphingosine (cell-communicating ingredient), Hydroxyethylcellulose (gel-based thickener), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract (antioxidant), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (antioxidant) Epilobium Angustifolium (Willow Herb) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract (anti-irritant), Bisabolol (anti-irritant), Sodium Hydroxide (pH-adjusting agent), Tetrasodium EDTA (chelating agent).
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