“Can salicylic acid remove blackheads?”

Only tiny, early ones

It can help. Best to combine with a retinoids. See your dermatologist for a prescription.

Suzanne Sirota Rozenberg, DO, FAOCD, FAAD

Yes, salicylic acid can help to reduce blackheads. However, higher concentrations, such as 30%, which can be applied by a physician in the office work more efficiently and more quickly than the OTC 2% salicylic acid products. In addition, a trained physician can literally clean out physically a hundred or more clogged pores in one sitting and can then apply immediately afterward the high concentration of salicylic acid as a preventative measure.