Aspirin for acne - does it work?

Waking up to a giant chin-hugging mound is enough to send anyone to TikTok or trolling Instagram. But is aspirin a genuine solution or an old wives' tale?

Turns out, it's a bit of both. But, to temper exceptions, it's also not the best acne skin care routine. 

Much is made of the fact that aspirin contains salicylic acid, but this isn't strictly true. The key active ingredient in aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, which is similar to salicylic acid but not exactly the same. Acetylsalicylic acid is a larger molecule so it's not as easy to release the salicylic acid in order for it to tackle spots with drone-like precision. 

And we all know that salicylic acid is the gold standard for acne ingredients.

"Salicylic acid acts as both an effective exfoliator as well as unclogging pores of the oil, dead skin and dirt that can cause congestion, " explains dermatologist Dr Anjali Mahto.  

Applying a paste made of a crushed uncoated aspirin, mixed with water, directly to a pimple can help to take down some of the redness and swelling, although it is unlikely to work on blackheads or whiteheads. 

If you do decide to use aspirin topically,  patch test first: Apply the paste to the inside of your forearm, and rinse it off after 10–15 minutes at most.

Alternatively, ice your spot.  Wrap an ice cube in a thin cloth and set it on the offending spot for three to four minutes. Repeat throughout the day to relieve pain and temporarily reduce swelling. And if it comes to a head and you really can't resist squeezing, follow our guide for how to pop a pimple the right way to avoid scarring and infection.

Or why not  follow a dermatologist's advice and invest in a salicylic acid spot product like Murad Rapid Relief Acne Spot Treatment, which contains 2%, the highest recommended amount? Think of the time you'd be saving, which you can then spend bingeing on Netflix.