EL TESSA Acne Serum for Pimples - 2% Salicylic Acid

• 2% salicylic acid works inside the pore, where blackheads, whiteheads and small breakouts start.
• Less oil in week 1 to 2; fewer new breakouts by week 4 to 6; clearer, smoother skin by week 8 to 12.
• Made for oily and combination skin; takes the shine out of a long day.
• Honest limits: not for severe cystic acne, very dry or sensitive skin.

If you've ever washed your face three times a day and still broken out, here's the truth nobody sells you: acne doesn't start on the surface. It starts inside the pore, where oil and dead skin cells pack together — and surface scrubbing can't reach it.

Salicylic acid can. It's oil-soluble, which means it travels down into the pore itself and dissolves congestion at its origin. The EL TESSA Acne Control Serum delivers it at 2% — the maximum leave-on strength permitted in regulated cosmetic markets, and the concentration the research actually supports. We print the percentage because you deserve to judge what you're buying.

This serum is built for oily and combination skin fighting whiteheads, blackheads and the small red breakouts that flare in humid weather. It refines bumpy texture on the forehead, nose and chin, and it takes the shine out of a long day.

It is not a treatment for severe cystic acne — that needs a dermatologist, not a serum, and we'll tell you that plainly rather than take your money. Skip it too if your skin is very dry or sensitive, or if a doctor already has you on acne medication, unless they approve it.

1. Use it in the evening on clean, completely dry skin.
2. Apply 3–4 drops, avoiding the eye area.
3. Follow with an oil-free moisturizer.
4. Start every second night for two weeks, then build up.
5. Wear sunscreen the next morning. It is not optional: salicylic acid makes skin more sun-sensitive.

Less oil in week one or two — sometimes with a brief "purge" as blocked pores clear, which settles. Fewer new breakouts by week four to six. Visibly clearer, smoother skin by week eight to twelve. Nobody clears acne in three days; anyone promising that is lying to you.

• Patch-test for 24 hours before first use.
• Don't combine with retinol or other acids while starting out.
• Stop if you get burning, swelling or persistent redness.
• Consult your doctor first if pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Full ingredient list is on the carton and is being added to this page.
• A cosmetic product for external use, not a medicine.

30ml. Free delivery across Pakistan, pay by card (Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay - secure checkout by Stripe) or pay on delivery (COD) - available in Pakistan only, 7-day returns on unopened items. Want the full routine? Read our acne guide.

• Made by EL TESSA (Private) Limited, a skincare and beauty-care manufacturer and global distributor based in Lahore, Pakistan, with Korean formulations and manufacturing in Korea, China and Pakistan.
• Every pack ships sealed, with batch details printed on the pack.
• Pay by card (Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay) and save 10%, or pay on delivery (COD) - Pakistan only.
• Orders confirmed before 4:00 PM (PKT) on a working day are dispatched the same day.
• Free delivery anywhere in Pakistan. 7-day returns on unopened items.

Complete your routine: add the Salicylic Acid Face Wash and Acne Clear Kit.

Is this salicylic acid serum suitable for oily and combination skin?

That is exactly the skin it was built for — whiteheads, blackheads and the small red breakouts that flare in humid weather. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so unlike a face wash it travels down into the pore and dissolves the congestion at its origin. It also refines bumpy texture on the forehead, nose and chin, and takes the shine out of a long day.

Will it clear severe or cystic acne?

No — and we would rather say that plainly than take your money. Cystic acne needs a dermatologist, not a serum. This one is for surface and pore-level congestion: whiteheads, blackheads, small breakouts and rough texture.

Why is it 2% and not stronger?

Because 2% is the maximum leave-on strength permitted in regulated cosmetic markets, and the concentration the research actually supports. We print the percentage on the page so you can judge what you're buying instead of guessing. Stronger is not a shortcut here; it is just more irritation.

When will I see results?

The honest timeline: less oil in week one or two, fewer new breakouts by week four to six, and visibly clearer, smoother skin by week eight to twelve. Nobody clears acne in three days, and anyone promising that is lying to you.

My skin broke out more in the first two weeks — is that normal?

It can be. A brief "purge" as blocked pores clear is common in the first weeks and it settles. What is not normal is burning, swelling or redness that stays — if you get that, stop using it. Slowing down to every third night usually helps more than pushing through.

Can I use it with retinol, vitamin C or other acids?

Not while you're starting out. Introducing one active at a time is how you find out what your skin actually responds to, and stacking acids on retinol is how most people end up irritated and blaming the wrong product. Once your skin has settled into this serum, you can look at spacing others onto different nights.

Do I need sunscreen if I only use it at night?

Yes, every following morning — this one isn't optional. Salicylic acid makes skin more sun-sensitive, and unprotected sun in Pakistan will leave you with dark marks that outlast the breakouts you were treating.

Will it irritate dry or sensitive skin?

Probably, and we'd rather you skip it. This serum suits oily and combination skin; very dry or sensitive skin is better served elsewhere. If a doctor already has you on acne medication, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using it. Patch-test for 24 hours in every case.

How long does one bottle last?

The bottle is 30ml and the dose is 3–4 drops each evening — and only every second night for the first two weeks. Used at that dose it lasts a long while; a heavy hand empties it fast without working any quicker. If you already know you're in this for the full twelve weeks, the 2- and 3-bottle options exist for exactly that reason.

Is this the original product or a copy? And how does delivery work?

It's the genuine EL TESSA product, sold directly by us, and every carton arrives sealed and batch-fresh — if a seal looks tampered with, don't use it and contact us. Delivery is free anywhere in Pakistan and takes 2–3 working days in major cities, 3–5 working days elsewhere, up to 7 in remote areas, with card (Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay - secure checkout by Stripe) payment or pay on delivery (COD) - available in Pakistan only, so you pay only when the parcel reaches you.

Browse all Serums or the Acne & Pore Care range.