Is Salicylic Acid Comedogenic?
Comedogenic rating: 0/5 — Non-comedogenic
Salicylic Acid is a functional active ingredient with a targeted skincare benefit. In cosmetics it is typically found in treatment serums, moisturizers and targeted products. On a label it may also appear as bha.
| Comedogenic rating | 0/5 — Non-comedogenic |
|---|---|
| Pore-clogging | Unlikely |
| Fungal-acne safe | Yes |
| Category | Active |
| Also known as | bha |
Is Salicylic Acid comedogenic?
No — Salicylic Acid scores 0 out of 5 on the comedogenic scale. It is considered non-comedogenic and will not clog pores for the overwhelming majority of users, which makes it a reliable choice for acne-prone, oily and congestion-prone skin.
Does Salicylic Acid cause fungal acne?
Salicylic Acid is generally considered fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe. It is not among the oils, fatty acids or polysorbates known to feed Malassezia yeast, so it should not aggravate fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) for most people.
Should you use Salicylic Acid if you're acne-prone?
Salicylic Acid is suitable for virtually all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. You can generally use it with confidence in daily skincare.
How Salicylic Acid compares to other actives
| Ingredient | Rating | Pore-clogging |
|---|---|---|
| Salicylic Acid | 0/5 | Unlikely |
| Allantoin | 0/5 | Unlikely |
| Benzoyl Peroxide | 0/5 | Unlikely |
| Niacinamide | 0/5 | Unlikely |
| Retinol | 0/5 | Unlikely |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | 0/5 | Unlikely |
Frequently asked questions
Is Salicylic Acid comedogenic?
No — Salicylic Acid scores 0 out of 5 on the comedogenic scale. It is considered non-comedogenic and will not clog pores for the overwhelming majority of users, which makes it a reliable choice for acne-prone, oily and congestion-prone skin.
Does Salicylic Acid cause fungal acne?
Salicylic Acid is generally considered fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe. It is not among the oils, fatty acids or polysorbates known to feed Malassezia yeast, so it should not aggravate fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) for most people.
Is Salicylic Acid safe for acne-prone skin?
Salicylic Acid is suitable for virtually all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. You can generally use it with confidence in daily skincare.
What products is Salicylic Acid found in?
Salicylic Acid is a functional active ingredient with a targeted skincare benefit, and is commonly found in treatment serums, moisturizers and targeted products.
What can I use instead of Salicylic Acid?
Look for non-comedogenic emollients rated 0–1 such as squalane, glycerin, hemp seed oil or sunflower oil.
Checking a specific product?
Paste the full ingredient list into our free pore-clogging ingredient checker for an instant verdict.
Open the ingredient checker →