Acne Treating & Cleansing Face Wash with Salicylic Acid

Kiehl's Acne Treating & Cleansing Face Wash with Salicylic Acid is a paste-textured cleanser that does three jobs from one tube: daily wash, occasional mask, and targeted dab on an individual spot. Kiehl's built it around medicated salicylic acid at two percent, with the specific aim of clearing acne without leaving skin parched.

Skin type	Normal, dry, combination and oily
Targets	Acne and blemishes · dryness · pores
Three ways to use	Cleanser · mask · spot treatment
Key ingredients	2% salicylic acid · charcoal · kaolin clay · cica-centella · glycerin
Formulation notes	Paraben-free, vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free

What it actually does

• Treats and prevents at once. The medicated two-percent salicylic acid is there to tackle existing breakouts and head off new ones, by shedding dead cells and unblocking pores.
• Pulls oil and grime out. Charcoal plus kaolin clay are the absorbing pair — they soak up excess oil and draw impurities away from the skin.
• Protects the barrier while treating. Bio-based cica-centella and glycerin are included to calm irritation and reinforce the barrier, which is how Kiehl's addresses the usual dryness trade-off.
• Flexible format. Same paste, three uses — rinse it off as a wash, leave it on as a mask, or place it on a single blemish.

Brand-reported results

Kiehl's cites expert grading of papule, pustule, whitehead and blackhead counts showing the paste reduces four types of acne within one week. In expert grading of inflammatory and non-inflammatory counts at four weeks, the brand reports 100% saw clearer skin within a week, and a 49% reduction in acne count in one week.

Figures as published by Kiehl's from expert-graded studies. Individual results will vary.

How to use

1. Squeeze into your palm. Then apply across the face.
2. Wash it away. Use water, or a damp towel if you prefer.
3. Rinse fully and let skin dry.
4. Follow on. Kiehl's pairs it with their Expertly Clear Moisturizer for Acne Prone Skin and the Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Salicylic Acid Pimple Patch — both bought separately.

Is it right for you?

Questions

How do I use it as a mask instead of a wash?

Apply the same way but leave it sitting on the skin before rinsing, rather than washing straight off. Kiehl's lists mask and spot use as two of the three intended roles for this paste.

Will it dry my skin out?

Avoiding that is the stated point of the formula — glycerin and cica-centella are in there to support the barrier while the salicylic acid works. Dryness is also listed among the concerns it addresses.

Is it vegan?

Yes — Kiehl's lists it as vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free and free of parabens.

When will my order arrive?

Delivery takes 3 to 21 working days, depending on availability. Working days exclude weekends and official holidays.

How do I pay?

Credit card, debit card, Instapay and mobile wallets. Cash on delivery is not available.

Can I send it back?

Only if it arrives defective, damaged or expired, and only when reported within 1 day of delivery. Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 15–30 days.