• ABOUT ME
  • Skincare
  • Makeup
  • Haircare
  • Lifestyle
  • Contact

The Beauty Wonk

June 2, 2019

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution Review | Removes Acne

Hello! The Ordinary Salicylic acid 2% solution is yet another gift from the brand that works amazingly on oily, acne-prone skin.

Whether you’re looking for a chemical exfoliator that helps you get rid of dead skin cells, blackheads and prevent acne or a spot-treatment for stubborn acne that come right before a special event, this has got you covered.

Read on to know why I absolutely recommend this to everyone with oily skin.

Price: USD 8.40 or £4.20 for 30ml. I bought it from cult beauty and it cost me around INR 350 after UK sales tax deduction.

What is Salicylic Acid?

It is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates the skin. If you have oily skin that is prone to acne, blackheads and milia, BHA is the solution to those problems.

It exfoliates the top layer of skin and penetrates into it to loosen clogged follicles, hence preventing acne and blackheads. It also works on existing acne (I have proof with pictures, keep reading) due to its anti-inflammatory properties. For the face, Salicylic Acid is effective in a concentration between 0.05% and 2% and a pH between 3 and 5.

Now that we have our basics cleared, let’s move on to know how this particular Salicylic acid based product performs.

Note: If you have dry skin, salicylic acid might dry you out further. It’d be better if you include this active in your routine in a cleanser form. One of my favourites is the By Wishtrend Acid-duo Cleanser that has a combination of BHA & PHA.

Ingredients

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Solution Ingredients
Ingredients

*Alcohol-free, oil-free, silicone-free, nut-free, vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free.

Product Description & Directions

Product Description and Directions
Product Description and Direction

The ordinary salicylic acid solution also has witch hazel which is anti-inflammatory and helps fight acne.

Packaging

The salicylic acid solution comes in a thick and heavy glass bottle that has a matte finish. The bottle is transparent so you can check the quantity and it has a dropper to dispense the product.

All of this comes inside a white cardboard box that mentions all the details like ingredients, product description and directions to use. The ordinary is known for its minimalist and elegant packaging and this is how it looks like.

Many other products from the brand come in the exact packaging like their Niacinamide & Zinc solution that works excellent for oil-control and makes your skin glow like a diamond.

Texture & Smell

The solution has a slightly thick and viscous consistency and is off-white in colour. When you take excess quantity and massage it all over your face, this gives some white lather. Generally, I go for patting motion and take a small amount to avoid that foaming.

The salicylic acid solution is fragrance-free and it smells a little chemical-like but won’t make you want to throw up/ not overpowering. The smell goes away when you apply the product, it’s only detectable when you sniff the container. The pH is between 3.2-4.0.

Texture of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Solution
Texture

How to use?

If you have acne, use this directly as a spot treatment and the acne will dry up in two days. And you can use it all over your face to gently exfoliate it and avoid/cure blackheads and breakouts.

For that, cleanse your face using a pH balanced cleanser then apply toner (optional) and take 2-3 drops of the ordinary salicylic acid solution in your palm and pat on to the skin.

It dries down quickly and gives a matte finish so don’t worry about oiliness. Follow up with your serum and moisturiser. Use this only at night and not more than 2-3 times a week.

Review of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Solution
Review of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Solution

Does it work?

YES! It works for me and a lot of other people. But keep one thing in mind, when you start using acids, you might experience purging (acne breakout that can occur when you’re starting a new active skincare product).

Don’t freak out, your skin is starting to clean up. If you’re not used to acids, the initial uses might cause a little stinging which is completely harmless.

However, if the irritation lasts for more than 10-15 minutes, wash it off immediately. Now that I have rambled enough, you can check out the pictures below to see how well it works on pimples.

How i get rid of acne in two days
How I Get Rid of Acne in Two Days

The last pic was taken under flash, hence skin looks whitewashed.

1st Pic: Pimple attack is en route
2nd Pic: It’s starting to compress and dry out
3rd Pic: Almost dried out
4th Pic: After it dried out completely and shed whilst I was taking a power nap

Once the acne is gone, I switch to regular AHA exfoliation routine to lighten the scar followed up by a Niacinamide serum or Propolis based serum to calm & brighten the skin.

My favourite AHA toner is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid that literally works on blemishes and uneven skin tone. Mostly, I’m alternating between their AHA & BHA when I’m not testing other products.

Not only do I use salicylic acid as a spot treatment, but I also love to incorporate it in my routine as a regular chemical exfoliator to help me shed some dead skin & get a glow!

NOTE: Don’t combine the ordinary salicylic acid with AHA, retinol or vitamin C in one routine especially if you’re a starter.

Conclusion

If I have to suggest one ingredient to people with oily, acne-prone skin, it has to be Salicylic acid! And this one by The Ordinary is an amazingly affordable option that works on acne, clogged pores and blackheads.

It gives quick results and is very safe to use! I have sensitive skin and faced no problems the entire time I’ve used this and it’s been months.

Why You Should Buy The Ordinary Salicylic Acid?

  • Prevents & cures acne
  • Reduces blackheads
  • Exfoliates skin gently
  • Vegan & Cruelty-free
  • Affordable
  • Gives clearer & healthy skin
  • Removes dead skin cells

Why You Should Avoid the Ordinary Salicylic Acid?

  • Can be drying for dry skin types

Enter your details to access The Ordinary Skincare Routine Cheatsheet for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin.

AND be the first one to know about all the skincare tips, blog updates + more!

Thank you!

An email was just sent to confirm your subscription. Please find the email now and click ‘Confirm’ to get your cheatsheet.

.

Related Posts That You Might Like:

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10% Suspension

Pixi Glow Tonic vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid

By: Rifat Yaseen · In: Skincare

Get the Latest

Comments

  1. Liza says

    November 11, 2020 at 9:57 am

    Hi
    I have painful acne on my forhead and some fungal acne on both cheeks. I have white heads also on my nose area and third eye point. I want to use ordinary salicylic acid to remove these issues. Can i do use it? And i also want to use ordinary salicylic acid as exfoliator so can i use it all over my face including eyes and mouth area? For the purpose of exfoliate should i wash off after 1-3 minutes?( cz i heared about exfoliate with salicylic acid to follow these way, Don’t know actually. It seems lil bit confusing to me). Yeah i am 26 year old. I have sensitive combination skin..right now in winter i feel my skin getting dry. Thats why i saw some wrinkle under my eyes and forhead also.. What should i use in ordinary regime to remove such wrinkle? Sry i have lot of questions! But plz kindly reply

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      March 24, 2021 at 9:32 pm

      Hey Liza, I’m sorry that I missed your comment. It’s been some months so I hope you found the answer you were looking for. If I could help you with anything else, please let me know!

      Reply
  2. Stella says

    November 4, 2020 at 4:58 am

    Hi , I have oily acne-prone skin .I use a face wash 2x a day, apply the ordinary’s niacinamide serum and then a moisturizer and in the morning I also use a spf 50 sunscreen. To exfoliate once a week I use the bha aha peeling solution from the ordinary,but I still get some pimples and my skin is bumpy. I ordered from the ordinary the azelaic acid 10% cause I heard some great things about it and the salicylic acid 2% to use as a spot treatment .How can I incorporate all of them in my skincare routine ??

    P.s. I’ve been using the aha bha peeling solution for months so my skin has got used to it

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      December 18, 2020 at 12:12 am

      Hello, I use their azelaic acid as a spot treatment over the areas that feel bumpy and is red. I have written a post on TO routine, you can check here: https://thebeautywonk.com/the-ordinary-skincare-routine-for-oily-acne-prone-skin/
      Use salicylic acid in the exfoliation step 2x/ week and azelaic acid on areas that need treatment.

      Reply
  3. Jackie S says

    October 8, 2020 at 6:31 am

    Hi,

    I’m currently using the TO pigmentation set (Glycolic Acid, Alfa Arbutin and Azelaic Acid) mainly to target my dark spot from acne scar. At the same time new acne are prone to come out which will in fact turn to another dark spot. Do you have any suggestion on face cleanser I can use to solve the problem and incorporate into the routine or is it okay to use this Salicylic Acid to tackle the problem? Thanks

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      October 31, 2020 at 7:15 pm

      Yes! Try a cleanser that has Salicylic acid. Inkey list and cerave both have cleansers with Salicylic acid.

      Reply
  4. Justin says

    August 29, 2020 at 7:42 am

    Hi I am currently using the ordinary Hyaluronic and Niacinamide Acids (about 3 weeks already) and a Salicylic Carrot Soap as my cleanser. I am breaking out but not that much I have this small slightly painful little pimples in my cheek area, which some would slightly grow and became inflamed. Do you think Salicylic Acid would help as a spot on treatment on these pimples and if I use it how should I layer it as a spot treatment only together with my Hyaluronic and Niacinamide? Thank You So Much!

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      September 12, 2020 at 1:25 pm

      In my case it has worked great on the pimples that already came to the surface. You can try using it as a spot treatment and see how that works specifically on the issue you mentioned.

      Reply
  5. Eunice says

    July 14, 2020 at 8:02 am

    Hi, can I use this together with niacinamide? Thnk u

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      July 15, 2020 at 4:13 pm

      Yes you can!

      Reply
  6. Ayesha says

    June 21, 2020 at 1:21 am

    I have to spots on my cheeks and I’ve had them for over a year. Do you think this will help?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      June 22, 2020 at 2:34 pm

      It doesn’t work much on reducing acne spots, try their glycolic acid and niacinamide for it. I have reviewed both the products on my website, you can put it in the search box and give it a read 🙂

      Reply
      • Soundharya says

        August 18, 2020 at 1:39 pm

        Hello !
        I want to use both The ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension and this Salicylic Acid 2% solution.
        Can I do that ?
        If yes , then how should I place them in my daily skin care routine ?

        Reply
        • Rifat Yaseen says

          August 18, 2020 at 6:51 pm

          Hey! I’d do it like this – salicylic acid 2x a week at night, azelaic acid rest of the nights. However, I find their azelaic acid too silicone-y so I use it as a spot treatment over redness or the areas where I have too much congestion or whiteheads. I have reviewed the azelaic acid too, you can search it on the website 🙂

          Reply
  7. Rebecca says

    June 10, 2020 at 5:00 pm

    Hi, I have combination and sensitive skin. I’m currently experiencing a breakout (possibly hormonal acne) . I use mandelic acid from the ordinary and it’s good but I still have some breakouts on my cheeks and chin. Do you think the Salicylic solution could be good for me?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      June 12, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      Yes, you can include it in your routine. It wasn’t too harsh, just don’t use it daily 2-3x a week is more than enough or just use as spot treatment on areas with acne, blackheads, etc.

      Reply
  8. Amira says

    December 6, 2019 at 2:29 pm

    Hi,
    If I’m using somebymi AHA BHA Miracle Toner as daily toner, do I skip this toner on the night I use the salicylic acid? Or I can just keep my normal routine and add the acid?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      December 13, 2019 at 2:01 pm

      Yeah, I’d skip the toner on nights I do salicylic acid 🙂

      Reply
  9. lia says

    December 3, 2019 at 2:21 pm

    Ohhh…not more than 2-3 times a week? I used it every night since I got it a month or 2 ago my skin actually got better. I guess depends on everyone’s skin?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      December 4, 2019 at 3:57 pm

      Hey! Ideally, such acids should not be used daily as there are chances of overexfoliation and skin barrier damage. But yes some skin types are quite resilient but better safe than sorry I guess 🙂

      Reply
  10. Sowmya Sonairaja says

    August 6, 2019 at 7:33 pm

    Salicylic acid dries out skin .what moisturizer do you apply after using actives.

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      August 6, 2019 at 9:07 pm

      Yes, it does dry out the skin. I use a hydrating serum like the By Wishtrend propolis drops or The Ordinary Hyaluronic acid serum and any basic moisturizer over that. I have the propolis drops reviewed on my blog, here’s the link if you want to check that out. https://thebeautywonk.com/by-wishtrend-polyphenols-in-propolis-15-ampoule-review/
      And if a leave-on salicylic acid treatment still doesn’t work for you because of its drying nature then use a salicylic acid face wash, Neutrogena has one so does By Wishtrend.

      Reply
  11. Bhavna says

    July 9, 2019 at 4:28 pm

    Keep up the good work ?

    Reply
  12. Bhavna says

    July 8, 2019 at 11:55 am

    In ingredients, water can be seen clearly written and you have written it’s water free. How is this possible ?

    Reply
    • Rifat Yaseen says

      July 8, 2019 at 3:26 pm

      Hey! Thank you so much for pointing that out. I have changed it now 🙂

      Reply
      • Girija says

        July 11, 2019 at 11:33 pm

        Hi!
        From The ordinary brand, what’s the difference between the salicylic acid serum and the AHA BHA peeling serum? Both are used for exfoliating?
        I have a very oily skin and gave frequent breakouts on my cheeks. What would be better to use?
        Thanks,
        Girija

        Reply
        • Rifat Yaseen says

          July 16, 2019 at 7:06 pm

          Hi! Yes, they’re both exfoliators. The Ordinary salicylic solution has only one active ingredient that is salicylic acid in 2% concentration but the peeling solution is very potent and might irritate the skin especially if you’re new to acids since it has a total of 32% acid (30%aha + 2% bha). So if you’re starting out, use the 2% solution. Hope this helps 🙂

          Reply
          • Hazel acuna says

            March 17, 2021 at 5:58 am

            How to order ma’am a ordinary salicylic acid

            Reply
            • Rifat Yaseen says

              March 24, 2021 at 9:15 pm

              It’s out of stock globally, not sure when the brand will bring it back again. They have a salicylic acid face mask that you can try.

              Reply
        • Bushra khan says

          June 18, 2020 at 4:06 pm

          Hello! I’ve textured skin (grainy, bumpy) on my cheeks and between my eyebrows. What should I use to get rid of that textured skin?? Ordinary peeling solution or this one?? Plzz help me to find out…

          Reply
          • Rifat Yaseen says

            June 22, 2020 at 2:37 pm

            Hey! The peeling solution is too strong in my opinion. I think you should try their azelaic acid suspension or glycolic acid toner for the same. I have reviewed both the products on my website, do give them a read. The search box should help 🙂

            Reply
      • Sowmya Sonairaja says

        August 6, 2019 at 7:45 pm

        What moisturizer do you use after using actives.

        Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello

Hello, it's Rifat! Welcome to my beauty space where I talk about makeup, skincare & haircare. My aim is to talk about healthy skin and not run after unrealistic beauty standards.

Search

Stay Updated

Reader Favorites

The Ordinary Skincare Routine For Oily, Acne Skin

The Ordinary Skincare Routine for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner

The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution Review

Pixi Glow Tonic vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toner

Pixi Glow Tonic vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid – Which Is Better?

Categories

Archives

PRIVACY POLICY

DISCLOSURE

get skincare tips every week!

SEARCH

thebeautywonk

My perfect summer nail polish @rimmellondonuki Go My perfect summer nail polish @rimmellondonuki Go Wild-er-ness. Someone tell me whether it's lavender or periwinkle (someone DM'd me it's this) or something else😭 it's def not lilac is all I know.

Also, I was going to make a swatch reel but my ringlight stopped working midway lool. it's ☠️ now so send some rip. thx.
Everything in this city is beautiful including me Everything in this city is beautiful including me
Why do all good things come to an end? London was Why do all good things come to an end? London was fun. 🔙 to the grind soon.
@saba_tkhan knows how to capture me perfectly 🤌
Along with following a solid AM and PM skincare ro Along with following a solid AM and PM skincare routine, Ramadan calls for some extra TLC through out the day.💆‍♀️ Remember the goal is to look a 10/10 on eid. jk. 
(Cute ASMR when you go through slides)

Here are a few products/tips to make your skincare game a little better:
1. Face Mist: For when you start feeling tired and lousy, and it shows on your face. Something like Avene thermal spray is great for the instant refreshment!
The skin also gets dehydrated with repeated rinsing with water, so a mist that's refreshing AND hydrating 💦 is even better - so comes the Hylamide SubQ Mist (which deciem is about to shutdown😩) 
You can transfer your favorite toner to a pump bottle - no need of buying a new product! 🥳

2. Sunscreen: Again, all that rinsing will remove your sunscreen. So if you're out/under sun exposure🌞, reapply your sunscreen. Some people love sunstick, personally I CAN'T. But a sunscreen with creamy consistency like this one by face shop (🎁 pr from a year ago) is perfect for reapplication.

Anyway, how's everyone's Ramadan going? It's my first time fasting for 15-16 hours lol but the weather here is much more forgiving than India which makes it super convenient, alhamdulillah.
My PM routine except for the 2 days in the week wh My PM routine except for the 2 days in the week when I’m on tret - Yes Yes I restarted it last month!🎉 It's been a smooth journey so far.

I missed my skin looking like a 10/10 tbh, some of the older PIH and PIE are being really annoying, they literally live rent free 24*7! Most days I accept and embrace it, but once in a while when you see yourself in pictures, IT HITS lol. Is self love a scam, frenss?

The Ordinary glycolic acid has always been the IT girl for me, even now I could see how quickly my new acne spots disappear since I started using it. It’s a strong formula though and only suits cute people.✌️
The cleanser is newer, the rest I've been using fo The cleanser is newer, the rest I've been using for monthss! Leave a 🌃 if you wanna see my nighttime skincare routine too! 

The @larocheposay Cicaplast cleanser is in my top 2 best cleansers of all time list! I use the @skin1004official centella serum to soothe my skin, however it doesn't provide any hydration.
@isntree Onion toner is superior>>> idk what toner you are using rn but ik it can't be better than this. I said what I said.🤫
@deciem TO ascorbic+arbutin is giving me mixed feelings, I should write a blog post to convey everything.
You know @thefaceshopindia_official sunscreen is my fav! It's almost finished but with spring here, I'm looking for something less moisturizing.
Battle of Micellar Water - @larocheposay Ultra 💪 @biodermafrance . Both do a great job of taking off all the makeup (LRP sometimes feel a bit🤌 more efficient at it), haven't broken me out, and don't have any annoying scent. They're also priced similar. What's your pick?

LRP leaves a slightly sticky feel, not as bad as Garnier's🤢 if you want a reference, which is OKAY since you anyway go in with a 2nd cleanser. BUT I don't.😭

I have frequent days when I wipe my face with micellar water and head to sleep. That's the reason I love Bioderma. Zero sticky residue, skin literally feels like you have washed it in the sink but in reality you're bed half asleep, scrolling AITA subreddit.😌
It's strange why @nyxcosmetics hasn't adopted me y It's strange why @nyxcosmetics hasn't adopted me yet🤷‍♀️ 
My makeup staples:
The concealer is fabulous, absolutely minimal creasing even after 12 hours. The powder gives a soft blurred finish, amazing for setting the makeup. Epic liner's fine tip makes it so easy to play with wings, and of course it's smudge-proof. Ofc, I've talked about the brow mascara and SMLC a million times already! 

Mascara courtesy - essence as always! 
What are your staples from #nyxcosmetics ?
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 The Beauty Wonk · Theme by 17th Avenue