Salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid, tackles skin imperfections at the source. As a BHA, salicylic acid is a sister to well-known AHAs but with a structural difference. Whereas AHAs, such as glycolic or lactic acid, are water-soluble and most effective at exfoliating the surface of the skin, BHA’s are oil-soluble meaning they can penetrate oil-clogged pores, making them effective exfoliators both on and within the skin. This effective exfoliating action improves cellular turnover, shedding the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, decreasing the chance of the appearance of new blemishes as pores are kept clear.