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The best BHA exfoliants to prevent breakouts and decongest pores
Put a stop to blemish eruptions with these hard-working products
A time before BHA exfoliants is, frankly, a time we don't want to remember (do you recall the days of the dreaded apricot face scrub 👀?). In fact, switching from abrasive scrubs to chemical exfoliants has become a milestone in our skincare journey – and for great reason.
If you’re unfamiliar, BHA stands for ‘beta-hydroxy acid’ and is a chemical exfoliant used to solve many skincare woes, from excess oil and blemishes to texture and clogged pores.
Whilst they can be a total routine game-changer, there are a few rules to abide by and best practices to make sure you’re a master of exfoliating without ever ruining that precious skin barrier.
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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
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The best BHA exfoliants to tackle acne and oily skin
Balanced enough to use daily if your skin requires, this Medik8 formula combines 2% encapsulated salicylic, 2% tranexamic acid and aloe vera to expertly exfoliate.
In the process it tackles stubborn blemishes, calms inflammation and unveils a brighter, clearer complexion. Use the pump to dispense the product onto the cotton pad, and smooth over your skin.
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
If exfoliating toners had a hall of fame, the Paula's Choice 2% BHA would take top spot.
Rated by dermatologists, this salicylic acid toner does it all. We’re talking: improves scarring, combats greasiness, induces brighter-looking skin and improves rough texture. It’s worthy of that front-row spot in your bathroom cabinet, that’s for sure.
Ole Henriksen Balancing Force Oil Control Toner
If you want to try an acid combo, this oil-busting toner contains a powerhouse of them – glycolic, salicylic and lactic – to address pretty much any skin concern.
It reduces oiliness, smoothes skin texture and delivers an impressive glow — to name just a few benefits. We don’t blame you for adding this one to your basket immediately.
Salicylic acid may garner the most attention for its ability to clear blackheads, but we're also here for the witch hazel and lotus flower included in Nip + Fab's tonic.
Witch hazel is a well-loved ingredient used to treat acne and tighten pores, while lotus flower has anti-inflammatory benefits to battle dryness and irritation.
All formulated within a silky tonic, this winning trifecta will battle breakouts and blackheads; and will leave a glowing complexion, too.
Let's be real, we're gonna rate any product that comes from Skin Rocks. So, of course, we're completely obsessed with its latest launch: The Control Acid.
A potent treatment for anyone with congested skin, it's powered by a unique complex of encapsulated salicylic acid, which delivers the ingredient while decreasing side effects like redness and irritation.
But, this is far more than just a standard BHA as it's also formulated with oligopeptides to boost the efficiency of salicylic acid. It's also balanced enough to use every day without disrupting your barrier. Yes, it's a pricier pick but your skin will thank you for it.
Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
We love testing out viral TikTok products and, among the masses, Cosrx's Blackhead Power Liquid deserves all its hype.
If the name doesn't persuade you enough, know that this potent tonic has over 1000 5* reviews for minimising large pores and removing stubborn blackheads.
The salicylic acid works to slough away dead skin cells, while the added niacinamide and hyaluronic acid will hydrate and protect from environmental damage. Don't you just love a multi-tasker?
Pretty bottle aside, this power player is serious when it comes to tackling blackheads and clearing congestion.
The combination of exfoliating acids work hard to slough away dead skin, while the watermelon extract maintains a hydrated and soothed barrier. It smells pretty incred too.
This alcohol and oil-free formula contains 2% salicylic acid paired with bioactive fruit acid to deeply exfoliate without causing irritation or clogging pores.
Swipe over your face after cleansing, but before your moisturiser, to keep blemishes at bay and promote a radiant glow. What’s more, it's also vegan and cruelty-free.
We call this one "glow in a bottle", thanks to its blend of lactic acid to buff away dead skin cells and willow bark extract (a gentler version of salicylic acid) to unclog pores.
Smooth it over your skin using a cotton round and follow up with a moisturiser.
Glow Recipe Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops
Pore-refining, skin-smoothing and hella hydrating, Glow Recipes' blur drops create the ideal shine-free palette to apply your makeup to.
The silky serum contains salicylic acid and strawberry enzymes; the ultimate pore-shrinking and oil-reducing duo for a soft-focus finish. Use it as a foundation primer for IRL filter vibes and your complexion will look flawless from day to night.
Cerave SA Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid
If you want the benefits of salicylic acid but don’t want to use a toner — whether that’s because they’re too strong or you just CBA — then try using the "short contact therapy” technique using a cleanser.
This method sounds exactly like what it is — short contact involves using the same active ingredients on your skin, but for a shorter period of time. By limiting the amount of time the ingredient interacts with your skin, you'll still see an impact but there's less risk of irritation.
We rate the CeraVe formula as it combines salicylic acid with ceramides to gently exfoliate while feeding your skin barrier. Plus, it’s really affordable as you don’t need to pump much out.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
A great face mask can seriously help tackle acne, and we think this is one of the best for the job.
See it as a fire-fighting hero for inflamed and sore blemishes. It calls upon clay, charcoal and salicylic acid to draw out impurities and promote a clearer complexion.
The consistency is much lighter than most clay-based formulas, which means you don’t get a stripped sensation but a delightfully hydrated one.
A weekly appointment with this hard-working mask and you’re on your way to great-looking skin.
By BEAUTY BAY 30% AHA / 2% BHA Peeling Solution Drops with Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid
If you’re on the hunt for a more affordable BHA exfoliant then By Beauty Bay’s drops are about to be the steal of the century for under £10.
The vegan and cruelty-free formula is gentle enough for all skin types and contains a blend of glycolic and lactic acid (AHA 30%), and salicylic acid (BHA 2%) to exfoliate. So, get ready to say bye-bye to dull skin, clogged pores and excess oil.
Simply apply the solution evenly across the face and neck for no longer than 10 minutes. For best results, use no more than twice a week.
If you have a combination, oily or acne-prone complexion and want a non-stripping BHA toner to help draw out excess oils and redefine your skin, then Farmacy’s Deep Sweep 2% BHA Toner might just be the product you’ve been waiting for.
With a blend of skin-loving ingredients including papaya enzyme, moringa seed extract and moringa water, your refreshed complexion will thank you later!
I have a question for everybody. Who wants to go for a facial? *raises hand like the Four Seasons Orlando baby* While I’m sure we’d all love nothing more, we’ll take the next best thing – this exfoliating facial in a tube.
As the name suggests, Charlotte Tilbury’s Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial is all about tackling dead skin cells and minimising the appearance of dark spots, all while leaving the skin with a dewy and radiant glow.
What are BHAs?
Although BHA has been a buzzword in skincare for a while now, you might be wondering what it actually means?
Unlike its cousin AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), in which there are a few different types (think glycolic acid and lactic acid), there is only one BHA that’s used in skincare: salicylic acid.
Although AHAs and BHAs are similar in that they both work to exfoliate via active ingredients, it’s worth noting the differences. AHAs are water-soluble so tend to work on the surface of the skin, whereas BHA is oil-soluble, meaning it can get deeper into the skin to dissolve dead skin cells.
If you fancy getting science-y, right this way...
“This means there are two carbon atoms between the hydroxy and acid portion of the molecule,” says consultant dermatologist, Dr Ophelia Veraitch. To compare, “glycolic acid just has one carbon atom between the hydroxy and acid portion of the molecule.”
“It is this property [having two carbon atoms] that makes salicylic acid more oil soluble, allowing it to penetrate deep into the pores to break down skin cells and sebum and clear the blockages that can often result in acne and breakouts," explains Dr Veraitch. "It also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is typically used for skin exfoliation and treating acne and blemishes.”
Because of this, your humble salicylic acid exfoliant might actually be your new best friend if you’re looking for an oil and blemish-busting formula.
Can I use a BHA exfoliant every day?
There’s no set rule on how often you should use a BHA exfoliant, as it depends on your skin type and the formula you decide to use. The short answer is no, most people do not need an acid exfoliator everyday. There are a few important points to consider.
First off is the percentage of BHA you use. The lower the percentage, the less irritating it will be for your skin. Don’t be fooled into thinking a milder exfoliant will be less effective: the aim here is to get the benefits of exfoliation without destroying your skin barrier, which can result in more blemishes, irritation and discomfort.
So, if you’re a BHA newbie, or struggle with sensitivity, it’s best to start off around the 2% mark, which is enough for you to see a difference without leaving skin irritated. If your skin is more resilient and you want the stronger stuff, you can find formulas with up to 10% BHA, but we'd recommend building up to this slowly.
When it comes to usage, each toner will come with its own instructions – read them! – but a good general rule is to start with once a week and see how you go.
If your skin tolerates it well and you want more oomph for fighting blemishes and tackling oil, build up to using yours three times a week. Having said that, some people find that they get all of the exfoliation benefits without needing the increase. You do you.
Will a BHA exfoliant clear acne?
Acne can be a complicated and multilayered skin condition and unfortunately no one ingredient can solve it right away (trust us, we wish we could say it could). While a BHA exfoliant likely won't make blemishes vanish overnight, a good one will help set you on the right path.
“Salicylic acid is useful for people with oily or acne-prone skin because of the fact that it penetrates into the pores, loosens dead skin cells and helps to clear the clogged pores that often result in acne,” explains Dr Veraitch. “Its anti-inflammatory properties mean that it also helps to reduce inflammation and redness.
"Once you find the right formula for you and you’re careful to introduce it correctly, you should see fewer spots (including less aggressive volcano-sized ones - thank god). Ready to find your perfect match? Keep reading to discover our top picks.
How do we test BHA exfoliants?
When it comes to testing the best BHA exfoliants, we’ve all got our favourites on Team Cosmo and with many different skin types and concerns between us (hello dry skin), it means we’ve been able to collate our faves.
For example, some of our picks are more suited to skin that has occasional congestion, whereas, other products are more suited to acne-prone skin that needs a more frequent gentle cleanse. All of course contain BHA’s and an array of skin-loving ingredients.
BTW, our Beauty Special dedicated to skincare is on newsstands on the 27th of August. Don’t miss your chance to grab our beauty bible full of skincare tips and product recs for now to keep forever.
Clare Stephenson is the Senior Fashion and Beauty E-commerce Writer for Cosmopolitan, ELLE and Harper’s Bazaar. She has been an e-commerce writer since 2022, creating matter-of-fact reviews and shopping pages filled with her favourite products for every budget and need – whether that’s a glow-giving foundation, a high-tech LED face mask or the perfect wear-with-everything blazer.
Alongside writing, Clare loves to be in front of the camera creating shopping content, putting viral products to the test to see which ones are truly worth the hype. Through her work, she has interviewed leading dermatologists, makeup artists and industry experts to bring readers trusted advice and product recommendations.
Clare has contributed to titles across the Hearst UK portfolio, including Women’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Red and Prima. Prior to joining Hearst, she earned a BA in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University, focusing her studies on magazines and editorial. She later worked as an editorial assistant at Voir Fashion Magazine, covering events including Fashion Week and interviewing notable brand founders.
Outside of work? You can find Clare strolling through London’s Columbia Road Market, pouring her fourth coffee of the day or heading to a Pilates class.
Follow Clare on Instagram @clarefrancesstephenson.
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