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The Ordinary

Salicylic Acid 2% Solution.

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Acne

About this product

A lightweight 2% salicylic acid serum designed to exfoliate pores, reduce blackheads and whiteheads, and help prevent breakouts on acne-prone and congested skin.

Best for

Acne-prone skin
Acne

The Guru Index verdict

75%

Approved

Approved · 75%
10Reviewers
9Approved
0Mixed
1Skip
#5 in Best Acne

What the gurus are saying

Gurus overwhelmingly praise this product as effective, affordable, and straightforward for acne-prone and congested skin. Consistent themes include its high 2% concentration, pore-clearing results, and minimal dryness compared to other salicylic acid products thanks to added hydrating ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide. A notable split emerges: most reviewers report long-term success, but some users experienced severe irritation and blistering, with speculation that a formula change may have occurred in 2024. Expert consensus leans toward starting slowly to avoid over-exfoliation and recommends the Hydrous variant for sensitive skin.
Synthesized from 10 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

Salicylic acid (BHA)Fragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Aqua (Water), Saccharide Isomerate, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Approved
"I used to absolutely be obsessed with that serum. The Ordinary is great for basically doing exactly what he's doing right now, targeting specific skin issues, and they're straightforward, effective, and affordable. It's at 2%, which is the highest percentage of salicylic acid you can have in a non-prescription formula. I would say that serum is best used as a spot treatment for any areas that are experiencing breakouts or blocked pores. And I love that he mentioned that he doesn't use it at the same time as his retinol, which is amazing because salicylic acid and retinol are two of those ingredients that you really do not want to mix together. It can result in skin sensitivity, irritation, even more peeling, sensitivity, and dryness."
Approved
"Since then I have not looked back. This just makes my skin look better. So I like it and I've been using it since 2021. This is a product combination I have been using for years. I have literally used every single salicylic acid toner in the world, at least the ones that have become popular. And with any other salicylic acid toner when you apply it your face doesn't shine. With this one it shines. So there is something in this that is working really really well and which is why I recommend it."
All 2 takes from Nipun Kapur
The best serums for glow & anti aging | Ordinary vs Minimalist | Nipun Kapur
"You get a Salicylic Acid 2%, which is amazing. If you're someone like me and you need to exfoliate your skin, just don't over-exfoliate. You shouldn't apply AHA twice a week and then Salicylic Acid twice more, because that damages your skin barrier."
My routine made Affordable! Dupes & Swaps for my favorite skincare products
"Since then I have not looked back. This just makes my skin look better. So I like it and I've been using it since 2021. This is a product combination I have been using for years. I have literally used every single salicylic acid toner in the world, at least the ones that have become popular. And with any other salicylic acid toner when you apply it your face doesn't shine. With this one it shines. So there is something in this that is working really really well and which is why I recommend it."
Approved
"The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% solution is a lightweight serum that exfoliates inside the pores to keep them clear. It helps reduce blackheads, whiteheads, and oily shine. Because it doesn't increase sun sensitivity as much as retinoids, it can be used morning and night. It is best for clogged pores, blackheads, or textured skin. The key ingredient is the 2% salicylic acid which clears pores, helps prevent breakouts, and minimizes oil. When you're minimizing oil you can cause dryness, so I wouldn't start doing this morning and evening right off the bat. The serum also contains niacinamide which will help reduce some of the inflammation and support the skin barrier, as well as panthenol and sodium PCA which hydrate and calm the skin. The Ordinary can be found in most drugstores and is very, very affordable."
Skip
"When I woke up for work the next morning and I looked in the mirror, I wondered what was all over my face. My initial reaction was that it was loads of spots. It kind of looked like I had 100 whiteheads on my face. I touched my chin and that's when something popped and I realized that they were blisters. All this clear and yellow liquid came out. It was horrible. It felt like a throbbing pain on my face. It was burning and sore to touch, my forehead was where it hurt the most, as that was the deepest burn. The packaging only warned about stopping use in case of persistent irritation and that the product could increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun."
All 2 takes from James Welsh
Are The Ordinary's Products Actually Dangerous? The Truth About The Chemical Burn Claims
"When I woke up for work the next morning and I looked in the mirror, I wondered what was all over my face. My initial reaction was that it was loads of spots. It kind of looked like I had 100 whiteheads on my face. I touched my chin and that's when something popped and I realized that they were blisters. All this clear and yellow liquid came out. It was horrible. It felt like a throbbing pain on my face. It was burning and sore to touch, my forehead was where it hurt the most, as that was the deepest burn. The packaging only warned about stopping use in case of persistent irritation and that the product could increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun."
Are The Ordinary's Products Actually Dangerous? The Truth About The Chemical Burn Claims
"If you're thinking of using The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution because it was recommended to you, maybe don't. Lots of people in the reviews for this particular product say that they've used this product for months or years with no problems, but then all of a sudden they had issues with it in 2024. So they're wondering if the formula has changed potentially."
Approved
"The Ordinary does a very good one. This is a 2% salicylic acid. Remember I told you before salicylic acid can be very drying to the skin, so it sprays onto the skin like this and we put in a high percentage glycerin to ensure that your skin doesn't feel dry, plus we put in green tea extract which is your gentle tyrosine inhibitor that will help with any underlying hyperpigmentation as well."
All 2 takes from Dr. Vanita Rattan
ACNE ROUTINE - LESS THAN £20
"I'd recommend The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution because you want to unclog the pore."
SHRINK PORES fast | Dr Vanita Rattan
"The Ordinary does a very good one. This is a 2% salicylic acid. Remember I told you before salicylic acid can be very drying to the skin, so it sprays onto the skin like this and we put in a high percentage glycerin to ensure that your skin doesn't feel dry, plus we put in green tea extract which is your gentle tyrosine inhibitor that will help with any underlying hyperpigmentation as well."
Approved
"The Ordinary Salicylic Acid is fantastic for acne prone skin. If you've got slightly darker skin type and you've got really a lot of congestion then salicylic acid is going to be a good option."
Approved
"I'm not being funny most of the people I've called got on here are mates and I take care of most of my mates so it's fine don't worry or Barber steim enzyme yeah then I love the control acid or osia floral water I'm using what a brand yeah it's great when I'm not using the control cuz obviously I don't use it every day of course"
Approved
"Salicylic acid, remember that's a BHA, that's oil soluble. The Ordinary has some fantastic ones that are really good."
Approved
"The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is a serum that you can use more often and more frequently. I would recommend the Salicylic Acid 2% in Hydrous Solution over the original one because this one is water and oil-free but it's in a squealing base which allows this serum to be more gentle, more moisturizing, and it just feels more comfortable on the skin. Although I have combination skin I can break out from time to time, sometimes when I use salicylic acid this ingredient can be a little bit sensitizing on my skin and I do experience dryness and a little bit of redness. When I use the in Hydrous solution I never ever experience that. If you are more that sensitive skin type but you have acne, I would say go with the in Hydrous solution. It is a little bit thicker but it's still very very thin and lightweight."
Approved
"This is really good as a leave-on salicylic acid for blackheads, acne, hyperpigmentation, if you get keratosis pilaris on the face, for some people they find that salicylic acid helps. It's got keratolytic properties to soften and exfoliate that dry rough stuff. This one is like just a liquid but it's not drying."
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