Oh, hi, hello! I’m assuming you’ve stumbled upon this page because (a) you’d do anything to cure your acne, and (b) there’s an equally good chance you’ve f*cked up your skin barrier (see: red, inflamed skin) while trying to do so in the past.

Well, allow me to introduce you to salicylic acid – the powerhouse chemical exfoliant that clears your blackheads, whiteheads, and excess oil gently and effectively. The best and easiest way to start incorporating it into your skincare routine? A salicylic acid cleanser.

Listen, as easy as it is to go into your local pharmacy and pick up a new cleanser, take a beat. Though it’s a gentler form of acne treatment, it can still cause dryness and irritation to those with sensitive-prone skin. It also comes in many different concentrations and formulas, so finding the right product for you and your skin type is important.

To get you started on your acne-clearing journey, I spent the last year testing the top formulas on the market to see how they reacted on my own skin, and consulted the pros on all the need-to-knows. (Hi, board-certified dermatologists Dr. Annie Chiu, Dr. Lucy Chen, Dr. Cheryl Burgess, and Dr. Loren Krueger!)

Keep reading for the full breakdown of the best salicylic acid cleansers – according to my own testing and product reviewers – along with tips from dermatologists on choosing the best salicylic acid cleansers, how to incorporate one into your skincare routine, and what to look for before you buy.