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Topical OTC use. Leave-on and wash-off acne products contain 0.5-2% salicylic acid, applied to affected areas once or twice daily and built up as tolerated; professional peels (20-30%) are applied in-office. There is no oral or systemic dose in this context — it is not ingested (and large-area/high-concentration use can cause systemic salicylate absorption, so follow label limits). This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.

Any time

Leave-on or wash-off acne product (0.5-2% salicylic acid)

Prescription topical: a pea-sized amount of 0.025%-0.1% cream or gel applied to clean, dry skin once nightly. Start low-strength and every-other-night to build tolerance. A prescription drug used under clinician direction — not a supplement regimen.

Before bed

Topical cream or gel, 0.025%-0.1% (prescription)

• For topical (skin) use only — not for ingestion, not for injection
• Known allergy/sensitivity to salicylates or aspirin
• Do not apply to large body-surface areas at high concentration (risk of systemic salicylate absorption / salicylism)

• Other leave-on actives (retinoids, AHAs, benzoyl peroxide)
• Oral salicylates / anticoagulants (only if extensive high-strength use)

• Pregnancy and planning pregnancy (topical retinoid — avoid)
• Breastfeeding (avoid application near areas of infant contact)
• Eczema / rosacea-prone or broken/sunburned skin (irritation)

• Benzoyl peroxide
• Other topical exfoliants (AHAs / BHAs, abrasives)
• Photosensitizing drugs