Salicylic Acid for Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis)

Goes into your pores and dissolves the oil and dead skin clogging them. Best for blackheads, whiteheads, and oily, acne-prone skin.

Why it works for Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis)

Clears the plug of dead skin and oil blocking the follicle, which opens it up so antifungal treatments can reach the yeast and takes away the trapped, oily spot the yeast needs to grow. Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it gets down into the follicle. At higher strengths it fights the yeast a little directly, but its main job is clearing that plug. It is a top add-on after you have cleared the yeast, and a common ingredient in fungal-acne body washes.

How Salicylic Acid works

Oil-soluble exfoliant that penetrates sebum to dissolve intra-follicular keratin plugs.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Salicylic Acid ingredient page.

journal2025

Liu Y et al., Clinical Efficacy of a Salicylic Acid-Containing Gel on Acne Management and Skin Barrier Function: A 21-Day Prospective Study, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2025;24(7):e70353 — salicylic acid gel reduced acne lesions, regulated sebum, improved hydration and barrier function

journal2024

Ye R et al., 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel vs. adapalene gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: multicenter, randomized, evaluator-blind, parallel-controlled trial, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2024;23(6):2125-2134 — 2% SSA hydrogel was equally effective as adapalene gel for mild-to-moderate acne

systematic review2020

Liu H et al., Topical azelaic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinamide, sulphur, zinc and fruit acid for acne, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020;5:CD011368 — conclusion: clinical benefit is unclear

regulatory safety2020

MFDS Approved Functional Cosmetic Active — Salicylic Acid (anti-acne). Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Cosmetic Functional Active Ingredient List — the sole approved anti-acne functional cosmetic active in the Korean Functional Cosmetics Codex

Products with Salicylic Acid in our catalog

These are the catalog products that list Salicylic Acid as a tracked ingredient.

COSRX

Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

$15 · Cleanser

CeraVe

SA Smoothing Cleanser

$13 · Cleanser

Tula

The Cult Classic Purifying Face Cleanser

$28 · Cleanser

Some By Mi

AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

$23 · Toner

Peach Slices

Acne Exfoliating Toner

$13 · Toner

Paula's Choice

Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

$35 · Treatment

Full Salicylic Acid guide →Fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) overview →