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From drugstore favorites to doctor-formulated options, these salicylic acid body washes are recommended for achieving smoother, clearer skin from head to toe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Nécessaire The Body Acne Wash
Why we love it: Nécessaire’s The Body Acne Wash pairs 1% salicylic acid with barrier-supporting ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin to gently exfoliate, calm inflammation, and hydrate all at once. “It’s a gentle blend of salicylic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, and other natural ingredients that help clear pores, calm redness, and pull hydration into the skin,” says Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Meeting Dermatology, based in East Norriton, PA. It also features zinc PCA, a multitasker that helps regulate oil production and offers antimicrobial benefits, making it especially useful for body breakouts on oily or acne-prone skin. She also gives the brand bonus points for its sustainability: “I love that it’s packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum—and it doesn’t hurt that the bottle looks nice, too.”
Keep the breakout-fighting going post-shower with Nécessaire Body Acne Solution, an Allure Readers’ Choice Breakthrough Award winner. This lightweight treatment pairs BHA and zinc PCA to unclog pores and control oil, while niacinamide calms irritation and helps fade stubborn acne scars and discoloration.
Concentration: 2%
Other ingredients: zinc pca, glycerin, niacinamide
Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Acne: PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar
Why we love it: Despite being called a bar, this is not your average bar soap. The PCA SKIN Blemish Control Cleanser Bar actually comes with a sponge that you moisten and swirl into the solid formula to create a creamy, skin-clearing lather. “This is a unique product with more intentional and directed action against truncal acne,” says Noah Levit, MD, PhD, a board-certified dermatologist of Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut based in Fairfield, Hamden, and Norwalk, CT. “The solid format increases product longevity and minimizes oxidation, which, for liquid cleansers, can increase potential for allergenicity.” With 2% salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and glycerin, it targets acne, soothes inflammation, and helps fade discoloration without over-drying. The sponge helps increase contact time for even better results and is gentle enough to use on your face.
It’s got a United States Pharmacopeia (USP) seal and the only concentration of the ingredient that can be found in prescription and over-the-counter formulas, Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Hamden, Connecticut, previously told Allure.
Concentration: 2%
Key ingredients: eucalyptus oil, azelaic acid, coconut oil
Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Body Cleanser
Why we love it: Acne body washes have a reputation for being a little too harsh, but Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Clear Body Cleanser has a lower percentage of chemical acids while still being effective. This K-beauty favorite clears up breakouts without stripping your skin in the process. New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Y. Claire Chang, MD, previously told Allure: It relies on a powerful combination of salicylic, mandelic, and citric acids to reduce clogged pores and improve overall skin texture. Plus, it’s loaded with tea tree extract, eucalyptus, and truecica (a calming blend featuring cica) to soothe irritation and manage excess oil.
One thing about K-beauty brands like Some by Mi is that they turn everyday skin-care into a sensorial experience. This body cleanser feels exceptionally refreshing with its super-soft microbubbles that create a gentle cushion as you lather.
Concentration: 0.5%
Other ingredients: cica, tea tree, AHA, PHA
Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash
Why we love it: Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Body Wash is a drugstore staple that continues to hold its own, especially for acne-prone skin. “This has always been one of my favorite body washes to help keep any backne in check,” says Dr. Saedi. The formula contains 2% salicylic acid to exfoliate and clear clogged pores and glycerin to help draw moisture into the skin. “It’s gentle enough not to strip the skin,” she adds. According to Dr. Mraz, the wash “has a pH between 3.6 and 4.4, which helps it penetrate oily skin more effectively, but it can be an uncomfortable experience for those with sensitive skin.”
This body wash comes in two versions: the original, which has a subtle, clean scent, and the pink grapefruit, which brings a refreshing citrus twist. Dr. Saedi is a fan of the latter, noting, “I’m team pink grapefruit because I love the citrus scent.” While the original is not completely fragrance-free, it could be less irritating for sensitive skin.
Concentration: 2%
Other ingredients: aloe, glycerin, matricaria flower extract
Fragrance-free: no
Best Intensive: Murad Acne Control Acne Body Wash
Why we love it: Murad Acne Control Acne Body Wash blends the best of both exfoliating worlds—chemical and physical—to take down stubborn body breakouts. Salicylic and glycolic acids dive deep to clear clogged pores, while gentle date seed powder buffs away dead skin on the surface. Soothing green tea and licorice root extracts help calm irritation, making this a go-to for acne-prone areas like the back, chest, and shoulders. One tip: Go easy when you lather. “If you scrub too vigorously, you end up over-drying the skin, which causes the skin to produce more oil, subsequently causing more breakouts,” New York-based dermatologist Valerie Goldburt, MD, previously shared with Allure.
Humectants work wonders by locking in moisture, ensuring your skin feels hydrated and comfortable.Plus, menthol and zinc team up to visibly clear and refresh your skin, giving you that smooth, healthy glow all over.
Concentration: 1%
Other ingredients: glycolic acid, date seed powder, green tea, licorice root, menthol, zinc
Fragrance-free: no
Best for Bumpy Skin: CeraVe Renewing SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin
Why we love it: If your skin feels rougher than it should, CeraVe Renewing SA Body Wash is a drugstore standout worth adding to your shower routine. “It contains salicylic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid,” says Dr. Mraz. “This is helpful for conditions that need both exfoliation, hydration, and calming, such as keratosis pilaris, especially when inflamed.” Keratosis pilaris, or KP, shows up as rough bumps, often with redness, on areas like the upper arms and thighs. “Niacinamide can help take down redness while salicylic acid exfoliates, and the ceramides and hyaluronic acid help to moisturize,” she explains. “It gets the job done without being too over-exfoliating and doesn’t have harsh physical exfoliants,” adds Dr. Bowles.
When using active ingredients such as salicylic acid, it’s important to use a pH-balanced formula to treat your skin without disrupting its natural balance.
Concentration: n/a
Other ingredients: hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide
Fragrance-free: yes
Best Budget: Andalou Clarifying Grapefruit Body Wash
Why we love it: Don’t underestimate the power of this under $10 derm favorite: Andalou Clarifying Yuzu Grapefruit Body Wash blends 1% salicylic acid with tea tree oil to target breakouts while keeping your skin barrier calm and collected. “It offers potent, natural antimicrobial and microbiome-balancing activity,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mraz. She adds that its pH (between 4.7 and 6.0) “makes it effective but non-stingy and aligns with a healthy and youthful skin pH.” That means it’s great not only for acne but also for psoriasis, keratosis pilaris, or simply maintaining smooth, refreshed skin. It has a satisfying lather thanks to all plant-based surfactants that “clean without stripping the skin of natural lipids necessary for a healthy skin barrier,” she says.
Kaolin clay in this product also helps to draw out impurities and absorb excess oil.
Concentration: 1%
Other ingredients: tea tree, kaolin
Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Naturium The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash
Why we love it: Naturium The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash isn’t your average acne-fighting cleanser. Instead of a one-and-done approach, it uses encapsulated, time-released salicylic acid, which means the exfoliation happens gradually, giving your skin more time to soak up the benefits without drying out or getting irritated. And while it’s busy clearing out clogged pores and smoothing rough spots, a blend of glycerin and linoleic-rich oils (like safflower seed and olive fruit) steps in to hydrate and nourish. After your shower sesh, skin feels soft, smooth, and refreshed.
Rather than rinsing off this body wash right away, allow it to remain on your skin for one to two minutes. This helps the time-released salicylic acid achieve better contact with your skin.
Concentration: 0.5%
Other ingredients: glycerin, safflower seed oil, olive fruit oil
Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Clogged Pores: Peach Slices Breakout Banisher Body Wash
Why we love it: This sister brand of Peach & Lily is all about making K-beauty innovations easy and accessible. Consider Peach Slices Breakout Banisher Body Wash a face-grade formula designed for your body to treat breakouts gently without causing dryness or irritation. It’s powered by 1% salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and unclog pores, niacinamide to even out tone, and cucumber extract to soothe irritation. Since it’s sulfate-free, it’s an excellent pick for sensitive or drier skin types to achieve a glassy skin glow all over.
If you have acne-prone skin, such as bacne, niacinamide is known to help calm redness and reduce swelling associated with breakouts.
Concentration: 1%
Other ingredients: niacinamide, cucumber, vitamin C
Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is salicylic acid a good ingredient in body wash?
Salicylic acid is a great ingredient in a body wash, especially for anyone dealing with breakouts or rough, bumpy skin. “It works as a chemical exfoliant that clears out pores and helps smooth the skin’s surface,” says Dr. Bowles. “I like that it’s easy to incorporate into a regular shower routine and doesn’t require an extra step like a separate scrub or treatment.” Since it’s used in a rinse-off format, salicylic acid in body wash tends to be gentler, making it a smart pick for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Is it okay to use salicylic acid on the body every day?
It is generally safe to use salicylic acid body wash daily, particularly if you have oily or acne-prone skin. “For oily, acne-prone skin, it is typically okay to use a salicylic acid wash daily,” says Dr. Saedi. “But for sensitive skin types, it may be best to use it every other day to avoid any irritation or drying out your skin.” She adds that if your skin feels tight or painful after washing, that’s your cue to ease up. “Over-exfoliation can dry out the skin and cause it to produce more oil, which will contribute to more acne,” she warns. Bottom line: listen to your skin.
Meet the experts
- Nazanin Saedi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Plymouth Meeting Dermatology, based in East Norriton, PA
- Serena Mraz, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Solano Dermatology and Associates, based in Vallejo, CA
- Alexandra Bowles, a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati, OH
- Noah Levit, MD, PhD, a board-certified dermatologist of Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut based in Fairfield, Hamden, and Norwalk, CT
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Hamden, Connecticut
- Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm based in New York City
- Valerie Goldburt, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best salicylic acid body washes, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
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