This review analyzed 49 clinical trials to see how well salicylic acid works for acne compared to other topical treatments. The abstract cuts off before sharing the actual results, so we can't tell you what the researchers concluded about salicylic acid's effectiveness, safety, or how it stacks up against alternatives.

Researchers searched multiple medical databases for randomized controlled trials testing salicylic acid and five other topical acne treatments. They included 49 studies with nearly 3,900 participants, mostly people aged 12-30 with mild to moderate acne, and tracked outcomes over 3 weeks to 3 years.

Funding not disclosed in abstract