Beauty addicts swear that this potent tingling treatment cleared their cystic acne

Salicylic acid is, arguably, the best pimple-busting ingredient around. A powerful exfoliant that penetrates deep into pores and eliminates blackhead and pimple-causing nasties. Cue: Tarte's Workout Tingling Treatment.

A potent formula designed to whip your skin into shape thanks to its hero ingredient - 10% salicylic acid. Boasting a complexion workout in a bottle, formulated to help resurface your skin & balance its pH, leaving your face in perfect shape for make-up. Be warned: this exfoliant packs a serious punch and leaves skin with a tingling sensation.

Already garnering cult-status on Reddit, savvy beauty-lovers compare Workout Tingling Treatment to the exxy French exfoliant Biologique Recherche P50.

"I bought it because it's said to be a dupe of Biologique Recherche P50 but is more inexpensive and easily accessible. I've been using it for the past couple of nights. It's super lightweight -  so far so good," one reviewer wrote. 

Another said: "Few products make an overnight difference in my skin, but I do feel like this one does."

While another self-confessed 'skincare addict' user praised Workout Tingling Treatment for helping to keep her cystic acne at bay. "I was very pleased with the benefits from even one application, and after a week of applying it every night, I can say that so far this is my new HG for acne and PIH/PIE. I've had a chronic area of inflammation under my chin, this truly knocked it out. Other healing pimples were healed so much more quickly than they normally would be. I've had zero new cystic acne so far."

What makes salicylic acid so effective?

Salicylic acid is a BHA or beta hydroxy acid. It’s a rapid, oil soluble chemical exfoliant (that means it doesn’t break down with water) so it can penetrate into deep into the pores of the skin.

It’s a popular ingredient that is used in facial cleansers, toners, exfoliators, pimple treatments and body washes. Targeting congestion and breakouts on the face and body. It’s also used in anti-ageing serums because of its ability to reveal softer, smoother looking skin.

If you're looking for more advice on treating acne, you might like to check out our guide on face mapping.

Have you tried Tarte's Workout Tingling Treatment before? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Main image credit: @bellathorne