Topical azelaic acid, salicylic a…roxy acid) for acne.

This review of 49 clinical trials found that salicylic acid works for acne, but the research doesn't tell us how well it compares to other treatments—most studies were small and tested it against different products, making head-to-head comparisons difficult. The good news: it was generally safe with mild side effects. The reality: we need better quality studies to know if it's truly your best option.