Salicylic chemical structure

Clear, soft and smooth skin

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid (AKA Beta Hydroxy 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 skinx 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.

Filter by
Showing 8 products
Hydroxy Overnight Mask
$55
Spotless: Microneedle Patches
$44
Hydroxy Cleanser

Hydroxy Cleanser

$52
$26
B Calm

B Calm

$95
$47.50
Normal Skin Anti-Aging Kit

Normal Skin Anti-Aging Kit

$399 $448
$199 $224
Acne-prone/Oily kit

Acne-prone/Oily kit

$399 $450
$199 $225
Pigmentation Kit

Pigmentation Kit

$495.90 $551
$247.95 $275.50
$684.90 $790
Perimenopause Kit

Perimenopause Kit

$451.50 $502
$245.50 $273

Customer reviews

Before
After

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...

Before
After

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!!

Before
After

Braydon R

Spotless: Microneedle Patches

Results after 1 application.

Before
After

Jade B

Spotless: Microneedle Patches

"I noticed a massive difference in the redness and protrusion of my pimple. It make the breakout completely flat against my skin and heal way faster than my pimples usually do! Usually the bump from a pimple is raised for a while, but spotless made the bump go back to normal overnight."

Before
After

Kate D

Hydroxy Cleanser, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Smooth Serum, Repair +, Ultimate A+

ESK has been the one and only thing that has helped my skin - and quickly! I have suffered from hormonal acne for years, it was red, and sore, and I would barely leave the house without make up on, I was so embarrassed. Within a few weeks, all of the redness was gone, half of my acne settled down and it has just kept on getting better and better. Not only did these products get my acne under control, but the texture of my skin became smooth, my pores shrunk in size and the fine lines I had started to get around my eyes have even smoothed out! What! Even my scars are disappearing, and I have been previously told the only way I would be able to get rid of them would be laser procedures...I tell everyone I can about ESK, as it's been some of the best products I have used in my life!

Before
After

Helen G

Calming Cleanser, B Quenched, Zinc Shade, Ultimate A, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Rosacea Skincare Kit - Anti Redness, Anti-Aging Sensitive Skincare Kit

"Well what a remarkable change my face has had, I have now been using your skin now for 6mths and what a difference I have experienced, my skin not only looks heaps better but also feels amazing. The softness of the skin is unbelievable. Very, very happy and I have actually weaned myself off my medication for my skin. I have tried coming off it before and within a month my face would be a mess and would have to go back on to control the acne rosacea again.

I will attach photos of before treatment and now. Once again, thank you again for your amazing products."

Before
After

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

Before
After

Jacob C

Hydroxy Cleanser, B Calm, Smooth Serum, Ultimate A+, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Acne-prone/Oily kit, Men's Anti-Aging Skin Care Kit

"Just wanted to share the results of my 16yr old son using ESK. It took a bit longer and some tweaking but we got there and the results are great!!"

Before
After

Mahla

Spotless: Microneedle Patches

"Wore Spotless to the movies and my before and after results were amazing!"

Before
After

Gretchen A

Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Enlighten, Pigmentation Kit

"So I've been using ESK Skincare’s Hydroxy Overnight Mask a couple of nights a week for a few weeks now and I am definitely impressed. It leaves my face glowing in the morning and doesn’t let it dry at all. Super hydrating mask! I've also used it to spot treat any breakout, dry and chapped skin! Don't you just love a product that not only works, but oh so versatile too!!!"

Before
After

Alison C

Acne-prone/Oily kit, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Calming Cleanser, 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!

Before
After

Lucas S

Hydroxy Cleanser, B Calm, Zinc Shade, Smooth Serum, Ultimate A+, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Men's Anti-Aging Skin Care Kit, Acne-prone/Oily kit

"I have noticed a massive difference in my skin. It looks so much healthier than ever before !! Very nice products formulas and will definitely be recommending."

Before
After

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!"

Before
After

Codie L

Calming Cleanser, 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."

Before
After

Heather M

Calming Cleanser, Reverse C Serum, Zinc Shade, Smooth Serum, Ultimate A, B Quenched, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Peptide Primer, Dry Skin Anti-Aging Kit, Mature Skin Anti-Aging Kit

"I feel my skin has improved with noticeable less redness and increased hydration. Not sure which of the beautiful products is responsible for this but I’m enjoying them all."

Before
After

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."

Before
After

Natalia W

Hydroxy Cleanser, B Calm, Smooth Serum, Ultimate A+, Hydroxy Overnight Mask, Acne-prone/Oily kit

"I’ve been very open about my sudden onset of hormonal acne after going off the pill. I’ve tried multiple products with little results, nothing really worth sticking to. I started to notice one product that was often mentioned by girls with similar issues, Ultimate A+ (retinal and niacinamide based) night cream. So, I jumped on the ESK website and had a look at their acne skincare collection. Since then, I have been religiously using the Hydroxy Cleanser, Smooth Serum, Ultimate A+ and their Hydroxy Overnight mask. The results speak for themselves! By no means has this cured my breakouts but the spots are smaller, less angry and last about half the time! I’m super impressed with this range and given it’s been formulated by doctors, dermatologists and scientists I’m not surprised at the results!"


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.

x