Dr. Turegano is a fan of the SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense, a more targeted acne treatment that can work well alongside Silymarin CF if you’re dealing with active breakouts. The formula pairs a higher 1.5% concentration of salicylic acid with lipohydroxy acid to help clear skin, while dioic acid, glycolic acid, and citric acid refine texture.
“My two primary concerns (in beauty, in life) are acne and aging, which is why I swear by SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF. I’ve tried other vitamin C serums, including the much-loved C E Ferulic, but this is the only one that actually kept my breakouts under control—while giving me the collagen-boosting, dark spot-fading perks of vitamin C.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key ingredients: L-ascorbic acid (15%), silymarin (0.5%), ferulic acid (0.5%), salicylic acid (0.5%)
- Who it’s for: anyone who struggles with acne and dark spots
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Laneige Water Bank Aqua Facial
Why it’s worth it: Salicylic acid isn’t just for oily skin—Laneige’s Water Bank Aqua Facial proves it can work beautifully for dry skin, too. Inspired by Korean aqua peel facials, this lightweight serum gently exfoliates while flooding skin with hydration, thanks to a lineup of K-beauty favorites. Alongside alpha, beta, and polyhydroxy acids that encourage cell renewal at different levels of penetration, it features the brand’s patented Hydro Infusion Shot, a concentrated blend of hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, PDRN, and hyaluronic ceramide to replenish hydration and support barrier repair.
The result of two drops to both cheeks and forehead each? That coveted post-facial, glass-skin glow—without dryness or tightness. Use morning and night after cleansing and toning, and don’t forget sunscreen during the day (ever!).
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“Despite having combo, non-sensitive skin, I’ve never been one to incorporate BHA (or AHA) serums in my usual skin-care routine. I’m simply wary of how harsh they can be—and have been, based on experience. However! Despite clocking in at a 7.7% concentration of exfoliating acids, the Water Bank Aqua Facial doesn’t cause any irritation, which signals to me an elegant formula that knows what ingredients it needs to maintain barrier health and replenish hydration. (I’m looking at you, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, PDRN, and more.) Of course, consistency is key, but most mornings after application, my blackheads look less apparent and my skin looks overall brighter and glassier.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Key ingredients: 7.7% acid complex (PHA, AHA, and BHA), PDRN, hyaluronic ceramides
- Who it’s for: dry skin, all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Mature Skin: Innisfree Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads
Why it’s worth it: Innisfree’s Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads are a dream for those targeting redness without irritation. These pre-soaked pads pair pore-clearing salicylic acid with a gentle dose of texture-refining retinol, while cica and green tea ceramide from Korea’s mineral-rich Jeju Island soothe and calm skin. “These toner pads are not only convenient, but they’re always popular because they say it gives people such a clean-skin feel,” Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, told Allure. TL;DR: It’s a one-step shortcut to balanced, calm, and refreshed skin.
“I’ve been a fan of Innisfree’s Green Tea Enzyme Vitamin C Toner Pads for a while—they’re gentle yet brightening, and pair perfectly with my morning SPF routine. The K-beauty brand is well known for its sensitive skin-friendly formulas, so I knew the Gentle Retinol Salicylic Daily Toner Pads wouldn’t freak out my skin. These retinol pads were (believe it or not) my first foray into retinol, and after two weeks of nightly use, I noticed my skin texture start to smooth out. Even though I don’t deal with breakouts, the combo of gentle retinol and salicylic acid made a visible difference in softer, more even skin.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
- Key ingredients: retinol, salicylic acid, green tea, cica, allantoin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide
- Who it’s for: those with uneven texture, acne-prone skin
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Overnight: Good Molecules Overnight Exfoliating Treatments
Good Molecules
Overnight Exfoliating Treatments
Why it’s worth it: Work smarter, not harder. Good Molecules’ Overnight Exfoliating Treatment works while you sleep, combining 9.2% alpha and beta hydroxy acids to resurface texture and unclog pores in a single step. Glycolic and lactic acids sweep away dead surface skin cells, soften rough patches, and brighten your complexion, while salicylic acid penetrates more deeply to clear congestion. Gentle enough to use up to three nights a week, it’s a low-effort way to wake up to refined, radiant skin. If you have super sensitive skin, it’s best to start with this serum once per week and build up based on how your skin tolerates it.
Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor
“I wrecked my skin barrier by over-exfoliating and not wearing enough sunscreen a few years ago (I know, I know), so I had to overhaul my routine. Now I do most of my exfoliating at night twice a week, and Good Molecules’ Overnight Exfoliating Face Treatment has been the standout. My skin is baby-soft by morning, and my makeup glides on like butter because the surface is so smooth.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor
- Key ingredients: glycolic acid (8.1%), lactic acid (1%), salicylic acid (0.1%)
- Who it’s for: all skin types
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Spot Treatment: Aprilskin Carrotene IPMP Clearing Solution
Aprilskin
Carrotene IPMP Clearing Solution
Why it’s worth it: The 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Aprilskin Carrotene IPMP Clearing Solution goes beyond standard spot treatments, pairing exfoliation from salicylic and polyhydroxy acids with ingredients like niacinamide, which helps soothe irritation and fade post-acne marks. Apply it to inflamed spots overnight, and you’ll wake up to calmer, clearer skin that’s ready to face the day. And no, this solution doesn’t cause dry, flaky patches, so you don’t have to worry about looking crusty, for lack of a better word, under your makeup.
Tester feedback from senior manager of analytics and audience development Monica Perry
“It’s one of those rare overnight acne treatments that actually works. I had a red, medium-size zit on my cheek, and 12 hours later, the redness and swelling subsided. It was like 90% gone. It’s that K-beauty magic.” —Monica Perry, senior manager of analytics and audience development
- Key ingredients: 2% BHA + PHA, 1% zinc oxide, 5% niacinamide
- Who it’s for: those with active acne spots
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Inflamed Acne: Typology Targeted Blemish Serum
Typology
Targeted Blemish Serum
Why it’s worth it: Think of Typology’s Targeted Blemish Serum as a spot treatment that you can apply directly to breakouts when they pop up. It uses antibacterial, oil-balancing actives like 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate, clear away dead skin, and help keep pores clean, plus 1% beetroot-derived zinc to rein in excess oil (especially helpful for oily skin types), calm inflamed pimples, and help even out skin. Don’t be afraid of the gel-like texture—once you apply it to your skin, it soaks right in and looks totally invisible.
Tester feedback from associate visuals editor Giancarlos Kunhardt
“This serum is an excellent spot treatment that also helps prevent pimples. The simple, clean formula is great for my sensitive skin, and a little goes a long way, with favorable results overnight.”—Giancarlos Kunhardt, associate visuals editor
- Key ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, 1% zinc
- Who it’s for: those with active acne
- Fragrance-free: yes
Most Affordable: The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum
The Inkey List
Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum
Why it’s worth it: For a more budget-friendly option, Dr. Bowles recommends The Inkey List’s Beta Hydroxy Acid Serum. The formula contains 2% salicylic acid to help unclog pores and reduce excess oil, balanced with 1% hyaluronic acid to keep skin hydrated and comfortable. Its ultra-lightweight texture sinks in quickly with no stickiness, and just a couple of drops patted into the skin is enough to target blemishes, blackheads, and congestion across all skin types.
- Key ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, 1% hyaluronic acid
- Who it’s for: all skin types, including sensitive
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should use salicylic acid serums?
Salicylic acid serums are especially beneficial for people with oily, acne-prone, or combination skin, as well as those struggling with blackheads, clogged pores, or breakouts along the T-zone, says Dr. Bowles. “Because salicylic acid is oil-soluble, it penetrates deep into pores, making it ideal for congestion-related acne.” While some patients with sensitive skin can tolerate salicylic acid, they should start with low concentrations (like 0.5%) and slowly incorporate the active into their routine, as well as choose formulations with soothing ingredients (hi, green tea). “It may not be the best choice for very dry, eczema-prone, or compromised skin barriers unless guided by a dermatologist,” Dr. Bowles warns.
What concentration of salicylic acid should you look for?
Dr. Bowles says most over-the-counter salicylic acid products are formulated between 0.5% and 2%, with 2% being the maximum allowed in the US. “For many people, 2% is effective and well-tolerated, but higher percentages don’t necessarily mean better results,” she explains. The vehicle of the product, whether it’s a serum, toner, or cleanser, often matters just as much as the percentage. “Using the right formulation at the right frequency is more important than chasing higher numbers,” she says. In fact, lower concentrations can work better for sensitive or dry skin types when used consistently.
What other ingredients should you look for in salicylic acid serums?
Dr. Bowles always encourages her patients to look for ingredients that reduce irritation and strengthen the skin barrier. For example, “niacinamide helps calm redness and regulate oil production, making it a great pairing with salicylic acid,” she says. “Ceramides and panthenol support barrier repair, which is especially important if you’re using exfoliating acids regularly, and antioxidants like green tea extract can also help soothe inflammation and protect the skin.” Look for hyaluronic acid and glycerin as well to draw in moisture.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best lip and cheek tints, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, cosmetic chemists, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Struggling with acne? These dermatologist-approved recs can help:
