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Salicylic Acid Clarifying Booster
Pai Skincare UK
Salicylic Acid Clarifying Booster
Salicylic Acid Clarifying Booster
Salicylic Acid Clarifying Booster
Pai Skincare UK
Pai Skincare UK
Pai Skincare UK
Pai Skincare UK
Salicylic Acid Clarifying Booster

Salicylic Acid 2% Clarifying Booster

Regular price $34.00

10ml / 0.3 fl.oz

A maximum-strength 2% BHA booster that goes inside clogged pores to clear congestion and calm breakouts, without irritation. The Pai Way.

Pai Skincare UK

Balancing

Pai Skincare UK

Clarifying

Pai Skincare UK

Exfoliating

Pai Skincare UK

Soothing

Free delivery when you spend $49 (Mainland USA) | 90-Day returns

Salicylic Acid 2% Clarifying Booster

$34.00

Vegan

Powered By Green Chemistry

Cruelty Free
Why You'll Love It

Bye bye blemishes.

Add this 100% natural Salicylic Acid Booster to your routine and put a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) to work on breakouts. Where water-soluble exfoliators only act on the surface, BHAs are oil-soluble, which means they sink down into congested pores and break apart the cocktail of dead cells and sebum behind blackheads and blemishes.

Inside, a full 2% Salicylic Acid (the maximum strength available) comes from two plants. Wintergreen handles pure, potent exfoliation; White Willow Bark adds a milder layer of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory action. Sitting underneath, organic Chamomile Water and hydrating Glycerin soothe and moisturize, so skin stays comfortable while the acid clears your pores. Calm on top, clear underneath.

There's prebiotic Inulin in there too, derived from chicory root, which nourishes the friendly bacteria living on your skin and keeps blemish-triggering microbes in their place. The result: a microbiome that stays balanced rather than stripped bare.

This exfoliating essential belongs to our Boosters lineup: concentrated, single-dose actives that amp up your existing routine without triggering irritation. Add 1-2 drops to your moisturizer, serum, or face oil, or apply straight to dry, freshly cleansed skin. The dose is yours to call, so start gently and increase as your skin gets used to it.

Directions

Mix 1-2 drops into your moisturizer, serum, or face oil and apply as usual. For the full-strength version, press 1-2 drops directly onto dry, cleansed skin, then layer the rest of your routine on top.

New to salicylic acid? Start with once a day or every other day, then build up as your skin adjusts. The booster format puts you in charge: one drop dials it down, two delivers maximum clarifying strength.

For a complete clarifying routine, pair it with Phaze PHA Gel Cleanser, All Becomes Clear blemish serum, and The Pioneer mattifying moisturizer.

Sunburn alert: This product contains a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.

Full Ingredients

Aqua (water), Chamomilla Recutita Flower Water*, Pentylene Glycol, Alcohol Denat*, Salix Alba Bark Extract (willow), Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Inulin, Xanthan Gum, Fructose, Sodium Hydroxide.

99.9% natural origin.

*Organic

Recycling

Say no to landfill! Let's recycle everything! - Sarah

Unscrew the dropper and remove it from the bottle. Gently pull the glass pipette out of the dropper. Rinse the glass bottle and pipette, then place them in your curbside recycling. The dropper and rubber bulb are not curbside recyclable.

All Pai boxes, cartons, sleeves and inserts can be recycled with your curbside paper recycling.

Some product components are not currently curbside recyclable in most US programs. We are working on a US-specific recycling solution. In the meantime, check what your local recycling provider accepts at earth911.com.

Pai Skincare UK

Key Ingredients

  • Salicylic Acid

    Salicylic Acid is a natural BHA exfoliant that’s a no-brainer for blemish-prone skin. It gently lifts dead skin cells that clog pores to give a clearer complexion. We source ours from White Willow Bark Extract and the Wintergreen plant.

Sarah Brown, Pai Founder

"Salicylic Acid is hailed as a hero for blemish-prone skin – but it’s not without its challenges. It’s often drying, meaning sensitive types are left with even blotchier skin than when they started. This natural booster not only puts you in control of the dosage, but it’s been designed so even delicate skin can tolerate it."

SARAH BROWN
FOUNDER, PAI SKINCARE

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Pai's Salicylic Acid 2% Booster different from other salicylic acid products?

Most salicylic acid products dissolve synthetic SA in alcohol or propylene glycol, which can dry out and irritate skin. Pai uses two natural plant sources instead: pure salicylic acid fractionated from wintergreen for potent pore-clearing, plus white willow bark extract for gentler antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory support from its salicin, tannins, and flavonoids. The formula is built on organic chamomile floral water with organic glycerin, so you get the full 2% maximum-strength BHA without the irritation trade-off.

How do I use the Salicylic Acid Booster?

Add 1-2 drops into your moisturiser, serum, or face oil and apply as normal, or apply 1-2 drops directly onto dry, cleansed skin before the rest of your routine. Start with once daily or every other day and build up as your skin tolerates. The drop format means you control the intensity: one diluted drop for a gentle introduction, two drops neat for maximum clarifying power.

Is this suitable for sensitive skin?

It was designed specifically for sensitive skin from the ground up. The organic chamomile floral water base soothes while the acid exfoliates, and organic glycerin counteracts the drying that conventional SA products cause. It's also 96-hour patch tested for tolerance, including on volunteers with sensitive skin, and the booster format lets you start with a single diluted drop and build up gradually.

Do I need to wear sunscreen when using this booster?

Yes. This product contains a beta hydroxy acid that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using it and for a week after stopping.

Can I use this during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Yes. Pai's Salicylic Acid 2% Booster is confirmed pregnancy and breastfeeding safe. It's a topical, low-concentration BHA applied in small amounts (1-2 drops), which is very different from oral salicylates that are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Is this booster fragrance-free and essential oil-free?

Yes, completely. The wintergreen-derived salicylic acid is a fractionated pure compound, not a whole essential oil, and the chamomile is a floral water (hydrosol), not an essential oil. That makes this booster a good option if your skin reacts to fragrances or essential oils but you still need an effective clarifying active.

How does this fit alongside other Pai products for blemish-prone skin?

It pairs well with the Phaze PHA Gel Cleanser for gentle daily surface exfoliation, while this booster adds deeper, oil-soluble pore-clearing action that a PHA can't achieve. For a full clarifying routine, follow with Century Flower barrier mist, All Becomes Clear blemish serum, and The Pioneer mattifying moisturiser, or Carbon Star overnight oil if you prefer evening use.

What certifications does this booster have?

It's COSMOS Natural certified by the Soil Association, Vegan, and Cruelty-Free with Leaping Bunny certification. The formula is 99.9% natural origin, fragrance-free, essential oil-free, and free from parabens, silicones, sulfates, and gluten. It's also dermatologist tested and approved, non-comedogenic, and hypoallergenic.

Why does this contain white willow bark as well as salicylic acid?

White willow bark extract delivers a complementary, gentler salicylate action alongside tannins and flavonoids that isolated salicylic acid doesn't provide. In supplier testing, 2.0% white willow bark extract accelerated cellular renewal by 9% versus 6% for a salicylic acid control (p<0.001), and reduced the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 by 58% in human dermal fibroblasts, outperforming a dexamethasone positive control. It's also been shown to be non-irritating even at 100% concentration, adding a soothing dimension that pure SA alone can't offer.

What does the prebiotic inulin do in a blemish product?

Inulin from chicory root selectively feeds beneficial skin bacteria like Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus epidermidis while inhibiting the pathogens that cause blemishes, including Cutibacterium acnes. So while the salicylic acid clears congested pores, the inulin helps prevent recolonisation by blemish-causing bacteria and supports healthy barrier function.

Why is a BHA better than an AHA for clearing congested pores?

Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it can dissolve through the sebum inside your pores and break down the keratin-and-oil plugs that cause blackheads and breakouts. Water-soluble AHAs like glycolic acid only exfoliate the skin's surface and can't penetrate into oil-filled pores. Research also shows salicylic acid reduces sebum production at the cellular level by downregulating the AMPK/SREBP-1 lipid synthesis pathway and suppresses inflammation via NF-κB, tackling the root causes of breakouts rather than just surface symptoms.

Why should I choose this salicylic acid booster for blemish-prone sensitive skin?

Pai's Salicylic Acid 2% Clarifying Booster delivers the maximum permitted BHA concentration from 100% natural plant sources, formulated on organic chamomile water with organic glycerin so it clears congested pores without drying or irritating reactive skin. The drop-based booster format gives you full control over intensity, letting you start with one diluted drop and build up as your skin tolerates. Prebiotic inulin supports your skin's microbiome during the clarifying process, and the whole formula is COSMOS Natural certified, fragrance-free, essential oil-free, and 96-hour patch tested on sensitive skin.

Overall rating: 4.740196 / 5 from 204 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

This Salicylic Acid 2% Clarifying Booster significantly improves skin texture, reduces blemishes, and enhances skin tone. It is highly effective in tackling stubborn blackheads and provides noticeable results. Customers appreciate its ability to make skin look smoother, brighter, and more radiant.

Summary topics

  • Skin Texture Improvement: 6%
  • Noticeable Difference in Breakouts: 8%
  • Skin Feel After Use: 8%
  • Booster Effectiveness: 18%
  • Reduction in Breakouts and Spots: 4%

Review topics: ["irritation","smell","results","works","improvement","quality","feels","use","texture","skin","spots","difference","looks","bottle","breakouts","booster","pores","consistency","oil","blemishes","patches","acne","addition","buy","blackheads","treat","pai","cleared","acid","serum"].

Review highlights

  • "Love the vitamin C and Salicylic acid oils and my skin feels so much more nourished since using them"Mairead W.
  • "The next morning my skin feels noticeably smoother and softer."Rebecca
  • "Skins feels clean and fresh after using without irritating"Emily S.

Reviews

Spot busting booster

"I contacted Pai as I was having terrible post menopausal breakouts. The booster was one of the products recommended and a drop or two is keeping the breakout away. My chin has calmed down and so far no spots. My skin had been worse than when I was a teenager! I would definitely recommend it."

Kathleen W. (5/5)

Finally something that helps my blackheads!

"I have had acne since I was a teenager. I am now 30. Acne I mean blackheads and the stubborn ones where the skin grows over the blackhead. Aside from eating only Whole Foods this product has helped my skin! I apply it every night only in the areas that need it. After 3 weeks of use the skin barrier broke and there was a HEAD! I can’t believe how good it’s doing my skin!"

abigail m. (5/5)

Very gentle!

"Very gentle, suitable for sensitive skin."

Yelena K. (5/5)

Excellent quality, soothing texture, great

"Excellent quality, soothing texture, great addition to boost my skincare routine. I mainly get blemishes on my chin so just apply this area 2-3 times a week."

Katherine G. (4/5)

"Gentle and perfect"

Tanaka (5/5)

I apply this in the

"I apply this in the evening to even out my skin and get rid of pimples. It clears them quickly or prevents them forming at all. My skin texture has improved significantly."

shanice w. (5/5)

great booster!

"Helps me a lot!"

Gaia S. (5/5)

"Love these products"

Daleen (5/5)

Love it!

"I stopped using it for a while to try something new, and then ordered it again because my skin was getting dry and quite prone to redness and blemishes. After implementing this back into my routine (in combo with the black star night oil) my skin is looking so much better !"

Leonie G. (5/5)

Makes pores on nose smaller

"Makes pores on nose smaller"

Nora K. (5/5)

Q&A

What is the difference between this and Carbon Star? Which is better at preventing and treating acne for mature skin? Is either more prone to sun damage? Thanks so much!
Hi Nicole, They are both great for reducing blemishes and breakouts. Our Salicylic Acid Booster may increase your skin&#x27;s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. For this reason, if you would prefer to use Carbon Star, it is also effective at fighting acne-causing bacteria, clearing imperfections and keeping sebum production under control. We always recommend to use SPF every day regardless. Pai Customer Experience Team
is this any good for white heads (milia)
Hi, Daily exfoliation with an exfoliant such as salicylic acid can help to remove dead skin cells. This is an effective method and can help to treat blackheads and whiteheads. Pai Customer Experience Team
This salicylic booster contains PENTYLENE GLYCOL. It this natural and derivated from sugar? Thanks.
Hi Laura, Yes, it&#x27;s naturally derived from sugar cane bagasse. Pai Customer Experience Team
Bonjour, J&#x27;ai lu qu&#x27;associer acide salicylique et rétinal n&#x27;était pas conseillé, mais j&#x27;utilise déjà le booster rétinal le soir : puis-je associer les 2 ? Merci
Bonjour, Nous vous recommandons de les utiliser une nuit sur deux si vous souhaitez intégrer ces deux produits à votre routine. Équipe Expérience Client Pai
Is this product safe to use during pregnancy?
Hi Sammy, Yes, this product is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Pai Customer Experience Team