The oil-soluble acid, so it gets into pores. Two percent, two or three times a week, is the dose with the longest record. Daily is where the stinging starts.
On the body it clears the bumps on arms and the breakouts on backs. Skip it on dry or sensitive skin, and never layer it with retinol the same night.
Nothing here is medical advice. Patch-test anything new on the inside of a wrist for three days.
Pick your answers and the shelf shows only what fits.
Two percent salicylic acid in a short-list, leave-on liquid, sold by the maker to unclog pores and control oil. It has a long record and a tacky finish some owners cannot stand.
Skip it if you hate a sticky finish; owners call this one tacky
A low-pH gel with a little betaine salicylate and tea tree oil. Easy for mornings, but the tea tree smell divides owners, and the maker wants makeup off first.
Skip it if tea tree oil bothers you, or you dislike a medicinal smell
A daily body wash with salicylic acid, niacinamide and ceramides, and no scrub beads. The maker sells it for rough, bumpy skin; owners split on how much it changes.
Skip it if you want a sure fix; some owners see no change after months
Salicylic and lactic acid with ceramides in a body lotion for rough, bumpy skin. Owners report softness more often than smoother bumps, and it carries a sun warning.
Skip it if you want fast results; some owners say other lactic lotions work quicker
A mild AHA and BHA toner in a spray bottle, sold by the maker to beginners for daily use. Too gentle to do much for some, and it still breaks out others.
Skip it if you want a strong exfoliant; some owners see no effect on blackheads
Salicylic acid 2% on a textured pad, labeled by the maker as an acne medication and free of alcohol. The list does have fragrance, menthol and ammonium lauryl sulfate, and owners split on burn and dryness.
Skip it if your skin is dry or sensitive; owners report burning and flakes
Booties you wear for an hour, then wait for your feet to peel. The maker says it can take 5 to 14 days, and for some owners nothing happens at all.
Skip it if you need to show your feet soon; peeling can last into the second week