It is possible to get benefits from using both glycolic acid and salicylic acid together, as long as you use correct ratio, for example, 10% buffered glycolic acid plus 1% salicylic acid, together with other added botanical ingredients. Look for products that contain glycolic acid in its potent form. Salicylic acid is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Salicylic, glycolic, and lactic acids are all effective exfoliants that can improve skin texture, tone, and in the case of SA, treat acne. It does help resurface a smoother skin, but if you want to get rid of acne, look for salicylic acid. But additionally, it is super helpful in decongesting the skin, unclogging pores, and controlling excess oil production. Stick to over-the-counter glycolic acid products. Stay away from DIY recipes for masks and peels using glycolic acid unless you have relevant experience in the area or know what you are dealing with. Many labels for acid-based products display the percentage of acid used (i.e., 2 percent salicylic acid), informing consumers of a product’s supposed strength. Salicylic acid does pretty much what glycolic acid does. They are safe to use. … Glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that's derived from sugarcane, can be found in all sorts of products, from toners to washes to at-home peels. So if you use a 10 to 1 ratio of glycolic acid and salicylic acid, they can be mixed together with success.