Editor Tip: Both retinol and alpha hydroxy acids can leave you sensitive to sun exposure, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30.
Key Ingredients: Retinol, glycolic acid, niacinamide | Who It’s For: People prone to hyperpigmentation or those with uneven texture | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Body Wash: Murad Acne Control Acne Body Wash
Why It’s Worth It: Target breakouts that crop up on your back, chest, and shoulders with Murad’s Acne Control Acne Body Wash. This dependable shower companion uses 1% salicylic acid to dive deep into your clogged pores and clear active breakouts, while an additional exfoliating duo consisting of date seed powder—a physical exfoliant that is particularly great for oily skin types and removing stubborn layers of oil buildup—and glycolic acid reveals instantly smoother skin. Irritation won’t be a problem either, since green tea and licorice root extracts swoop in to deeply condition skin.
Editor Tip: Since this uses a chemical exfoliant, be gentle when you suds up. “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.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid (1%), glycolic acid, date seed powder, green tea, licorice root | Who It’s For: Those with active breakouts | Fragrance-Free: No
Best Body Peel: Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA
Why It’s Worth It: If you’re a fan of leave-on treatments, Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA will be right up your alley. This silky, lightweight lotion works hard overnight to provide gentle exfoliation and shed built-up layers of dead skin cells, so you’re left with smoother, softer skin upon waking up. Best yet, 2% salicylic acid is accompanied by a squad of soothing ingredients like allantoin, bisabolol, and vitamin E to keep skin looking and feeling calm.
Editor Tip The exfoliating action means it can target other types of skin conditions, including keratosis pilaris and ingrown hairs.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid (2%), allantoin, bisabolol | Who It’s For: People with congested or uneven skin | Fragrance-Free: Yes
Best Body Lotion: CeraVe SA Lotion
Why It’s Worth It: New York City-based, board-certified dermatologist David Kim, MD, vouches for the CeraVe SA Lotion (along with the SA Body Wash), which contains salicylic acid but manages to be gentle and highly moisturizing. “BHA is lipophilic, meaning oil-loving, so it’s great for clearing excess oil from the skin and, therefore, preventing acne,” Dr. Kim explains. (However, he points out that CeraVe doesn’t disclose the concentration of salicylic acid present.) Hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides round out the skin-comforting formula to ensure all-day hydration.