Both are excellent, proven anti-acne ingredients — they just work differently, so the right pick depends on your breakouts. See our full guide to acne for the bigger picture.
Salicylic acid (a BHA)
Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it gets inside pores to clear blackheads, whiteheads, and congestion. It's ideal for oily skin and clogged-pore / comedonal acne, and it's gentler than benzoyl peroxide for many people.
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that drive inflammatory acne — those red, painful pimples. It's powerful but drying, and it bleaches fabrics. Use it as a short-contact wash or a spot treatment to minimise irritation.
Which to choose
- Blackheads / clogged pores / oily skin → start with salicylic acid.
- Red, inflamed pimples → benzoyl peroxide.
- Both? You can use them, but not piled on at once — and don't combine benzoyl peroxide with a retinoid in the same session (it deactivates many retinoids). Our routine builder flags that automatically.
For stubborn or widespread acne, a dermatologist can prescribe stronger options.