Salicylic chemical structure

Clear, soft and smooth skin

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid is both an anti-inflammatory ingredient as well as an exfoliating agent, which means it breaks down and removes excess skin.

As a result, it is effective to help clear and prevent pimples in acne skin. Salicylic acid is also an excellent exfoliant, so it’s great for smoothing your skin as well as for skin conditions that have some overgrowth of skin cells such as psoriasis.

ESK’s Salicylic Acid skincare products have been formulated with 0.5% Salicylic Acid in our Hydroxy Cleanser and 5% Salicylic Acid in our Hydroxy Overnight Mask. Unlike many other exfoliating ingredients, Salicylic Acid is gentle and well tolerated for all skin types.

Buy Salicylic Acid skincare products online and get free delivery on all purchases in Australia, New Zealand and the USA, plus our ESK money back guarantee.

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Showing 5 products
This is ESK's Hydroxy Overnight Mask. It is a Salicylic Acid Serum that can be used as a face mask or as a spot treatment. It is a gentle exfoliator for sensitive or dry skin and acne prone skin. It will keep your skin hydrated whilst exfoliating the deeper layer of the skin. It should be used 2 nights a week.
$55
B Calm

B Calm

$95
$47.50
Hydroxy Cleanser

Hydroxy Cleanser

$52
$26
Acne-prone/Oily kit Save 10% with Kits

Acne-prone/Oily kit

$399 $450
$199 $225

Customer reviews

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Alison C

Acne-prone/Oily kit, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Calming Cleanse, Smooth Serum, B Calm, Ultimate A+, Zinc Shade

"I have been using your skincare for quite some time now. Recently I had a large break out on my chin- I ordered the kit suggested for acne. I cannot believe the results and how quickly they were reached! I’ve attached some before and after photos. This was within a week of using the products- a notable difference. Thanks for giving the confidence of great skin!! It is magical skin care!"

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Anika S

Spotless: Microneedle Patches

"Really enjoyed these acne microneedle patches! I always have random breakouts so I will definitely will be carrying these around for those emergency breakouts..."

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Braydon R

Spotless: Microneedle Patches

Results after 1 application.

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Codie L

Calming Cleanse, B Calm, Zinc Shade, Smooth Serum, Ultimate A+, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Acne-prone/Oily kit

"I will never use another product. I am so grateful for confidence ESK has given me. I never wear make up anymore. My morning and night face wash routine is quick and easy. My skin feels amazing. The team at ESK have been unbelievably helpful and generous in helping me find the products right for my skin. They took the time to explain my skin type and why I need certain products to nourish it. I recommend ESK to everyone."

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Deanna A

Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Acne-prone/Oily kit

"In these photos I used the mask twice- once as a full face over night mask and once as a spot treatment on my blemishes. It assisted in reducing my blemishes significantly, making them no longer inflamed and sore. I really enjoy this product as a spot treatment but also as an overnight mask I wake up with the most gorgeous and glowing skin!"

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Dee F

Teenage Acne Kit

"We could definitely see improvement within the first couple of weeks. The redness and flare ups settled. It was lovely to see a smile back on my daughter's face." - Dee's Mum

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Emma S

Spotless: Microneedle Patches

"I absolutely loved spotless patches!! I get some super stubborn hormonal acne and adding spotless as an additional product was perfect in my regime! I saw immediate results overnight, major reduction to size and colour. I loved how easy and unnoticeable they are!!"

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Grace H

Hydroxy Cleanser, Enlighten, Zinc Shade, Smooth Serum, Ultimate A+, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Acne-prone/Oily kit

"My skin has never been super great but it hasn't been super problematic either. It's that traditional combination skin that gets a lot of hormonal breakouts. At 31, I'm a little bit sick of having breakouts AND developing lines as well. I'm all for aging naturally and at the same time, slowing down the process and caring for my skin is important to me. I decided to try ESK because I appreciated the evidence base and the fact that the recommended starter kits didn't have a million different things to do. I work in a rewarding yet demanding job with long days and I need a skin-care routine that is simple and effective. ESK has definitely been that! I've been using it for just over a month now and I have definitely noticed a difference. My skin is a lot more firm and pigmentation has decreased. My usual monthly-hormone breakout was greatly reduced as well. One of the most wonderful aspects of my ESK journey so far has been the customer service. I have NEVER experienced such individualised, supportive customer service and I think that demonstrates how much this company actually wants to help their customers (rather than just getting their money). I highly recommend this brand of skincare and am so glad I found it."


What is salicylic acid?

Often referred to as a Beta Hydroxy Acid (but actually isn’t) Salicylic Acid was originally sourced from the bark of the willow tree. It exfoliates the skin allowing room for new skin cell growth and preventing pores from clogging up. As a cousin of aspirin it also acts as an analgesic and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. That makes it a great ingredient for use in a number of skin conditions including acne and Psoriasis.

What does salicylic acid do to skin?

Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin (but does so through a different process than Alpha Hydroxy acids), and also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. That means that in addition to being great at managing some skin conditions like Acne, it is also a gentle and well tolerated ingredient which exfoliates the skin and also provides some protection from UV damage!

Can you mix salicylic acid and retinol?

Yes. A couple of studies looked at products which included Vitamin A and Salicylic acid for the treatment of acne and pigmentation. Other studies have looked at a combination of salicylic acid and a form of Vitamin A and also using Retinoids immediately after a salicylic acid peel. All found the treatments to be effective and well tolerated.

What does salicylic acid do?

Salicylic acid exfoliates the skin (but does so through a different process than Alpha Hydroxy acids), and also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. That means that in addition to being great at managing some skin conditions like Acne, it is also a gentle and well tolerated ingredient which exfoliates the skin and also provides some protection from UV damage!

Can you use salicylic acid and retinol together?

Yes. A couple of studies looked at products which included Vitamin A and Salicylic acid for the treatment of acne and pigmentation . Other studies have looked at a combination of salicylic acid and a form of Vitamin A and also using Retinoids immediately after a salicylic acid peel. All found the treatments to be effective and well tolerated.

Is salicylic acid safe?

Yes… with a qualification. Salicylic acid is generally very well tolerated and is effective and safe at levels used in cosmetics. But if high levels (concentrations > 10%) of Salicylic acid are applied to large areas of the body (ie. more than 50%), there is a risk of Salicylism, particularly in children.

Is salicylic acid good for acne?

Salicylic acid is great for acne. It is one of the few well studied ingredients for use in acne and it is well tolerated too. It is comedolytic which means that it helps clear blocked pores and it also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.