There are countless products in the beauty industry that claim to treat acne, pimples, blackheads and other skin-related issues. One of them is The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution which was recommended to me by A Makeup Junkie. I’ve been using it for about two months and I wanted to share my review! This post is a full review of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution which helps to clear acne and blemishes on acne-prone skin, and how to use The Ordinary salicylic acid for spot treatment. Keep reading!
How Does Salicylic Acid Work?
Acne occurs when hair follicles on the skin become plugged with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. Salicylic acid treats acne by penetrating into the skin, reducing sebum production, unclogging the pores and dissolving skin flakes thus exfoliating the skin.
Salicylic acid is an incredible ingredient which helps to reduce acne, blackheads and whiteheads and at the same time, help other acne-fighting ingredients penetrate the skin better.
I chose The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% solution because it offers a concentration which is very effective but not so high that it causes my skin (normal, acne-prone) to breakout.
Related: Top 8 Skincare Tips for Smooth, Healthy Skin
Product Description
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid is a chemical exfoliant which is intended to treat acne and blemishes and enhance skin clarity and texture.
It comes in a simple white package typical of The Ordinary’s products. The bottle itself is 30ml (there is also a 15 ml size), small and transparent with a dropper cap. The liquid is transparent and little amounts cover a large surface area. When rubbed in, it lathers and becomes white. If used sparingly once a day, the 30ml solution can last as long as 2 months.
How to Use The Ordinary Salicylic Acid
- Wash face thoroughly with a cleanser and dry with a clean cloth
- Wait 1 or 2 minutes to allow your skin dry a bit. Your skin should be damp not wet! Do not touch any surfaces during that wait time
- Drop 2 or 3 drops on fingers and pat gently on your face. Alternatively, drop directly on the spots. Do not rub. This is a strong acid.
- Wait for it to sink in before applying other products.
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Review for Acne
My skin has being suffering from intense acne problems for years. It seems that the instant I hit puberty, my skin became really bad and it worsened as I grew older. I was badly in need of something to clear my face and when The Ordinary’s salicylic acid was recommended to me, I was so happy to start using it!
I’ve being using the acid nearly every day for about two months and I have really seen a difference. The blackheads that plagued my face for so long are nearly gone and my face has a more even tone now. Also, the bumps and pimples have really reduced and my face is much smoother. I avoid touching my face as much as possible (dirt and all) but I love what I feel when I do touch it!
However, my face is still suffering badly from really tiny spots and they seem like they’re never leaving. My pores are also big and make my face appear rougher than it actually is when examined more closely. Since salicylic acid isn’t intended to reduce pore size, I’m okay with that but I wish it was working on the tiny spots.
Points to Note About the Exfoliant
- Try test patches first! I mentioned this in my post on top skincare tips for smooth skin and it’s very important. This is a 2% acid and it may be too strong for your skin. Test it on your arm first.
- Don’t use too much. In the directions for use I listed above, I mentioned using 2-3 drops for the entire face. This is really important. Apply this acid sparingly
- Don’t use more than twice a day and even better, don’t use more than once in a day.
- Don’t use on peeling skin.
- If you want to add this product to your routine, incorporate it gradually.
Pros of using The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
- The acid is great for acne-prone skin to reduce blemishes and spots
- It’s an amazing product for those with oily skin because it dries out the skin a bit.
- Using it in your skincare routine before applying makeup will help your makeup (especially the foundation) stay on.
Cons of Using the Acid
- The acid dries out the skin which is great for oily skin but bad for dry skin. I won’t recommend it so much if you have dry or combination skin. It may lead to your skin flaking
- It’s also not the best option for very sensitive skin. Trust me on this. I’ve read quite a few horror stories involving burns and breakouts.
- According to the manufacturers, it can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Don’t forget your sunscreen when you use it!
- You may experience some purging at first when pimples come to the surface and it looks like you’ve broken out. Wait 2 weeks and if the problem persists, discontinue use.
Related: Don’t Believe these Common Skin Care Myths!
Do I Recommend…?
The Ordinary Salicylic acid for dry skin: 7/10 recommend. This is a drying product so it can cause your skin to produce more oil to compensate, thus increasing sebum and producing more acne creating a vicious cycle. You can avoid this by ensuring you moisturise your skin regularly (day and night) to compensate for the loss of moisture.
The Ordinary Salicylic acid for oily, acne-prone skin: 10/10 recommend. This is an affordable salicylic acid product that’ll help to clear acne and blackheads, at the same time, help to control your skin’s oil production. You can expect visible results in as little as two weeks!
The Ordinary Salicylic acid for sensitive skin: 5/10 recommend. For very sensitive skin, The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution may irritate the skin and cause burns and even worse breakouts. If you have sensitive skin, you would probably be better off with a lower concentration of the acid or a less penetrating product like glycolic acid. The effect of this acid depends on the sensitivity of your skin.
Conclusion of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% solution review: It’s a really great exfoliator to use if you have acne-prone or blemish-prone skin. It works really well to clear your skin and if you have oily skin, it’s the perfect product for you!
**Please Note: This product has been temporarily discontinued while the company alters the formula. Some great, affordable alternatives to The Ordinary Salicylic Acid are:
Have you used this product before? What do you think of it? What do you use to treat your acne (if you have)?
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A Lifestyle Nerd 
Good and honest review. Sharing this
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Thank you!
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This is such good information for people struggling with acne
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I’m glad you like it. Thank you!
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Hey!
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Have an awesome day!
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This was a great review! You literally answered just about any question I would have had about this product. I do wonder if it works on areas? My face has actually calmed down a lot with breakouts which I am thankful for but my shoulders break out like crazy. It makes me really self conscious and embarrassed to wear tanks in the summertime. I’m even nervous about wearing my wedding dress because it is sleeveless. May be worth trying in my shoulders just to see what it would do.
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Thank you so much Kirsten! I’m glad you like this post ❤ Yes, it works well for areas. Some people even advise to apply it only on affected areas. You need to know what type of skin you have and decide if it will work for you. Also, it takes some time to see results. Congrats on your engagement!
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ok great, i will def consider looking into this then! and thank you! i’ve actually been engaged for almost 8 years, dating for 13. prob not getting married anytime soon which i’m actually grateful for because it gives me time to figure out how to get rid of these breakouts on my shoulders lol
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I may have to pick this up and use it on my chin! I bought the lactic acid from The Ordinary last week and I’ve already noticed a difference in the general texture of my skin. Beauty Bay has a great A-Z guideline of what products do what from The Ordinary, so maybe you could find something there to help with your other issues!
Love, Soph x
– http://www.sophie-elise.co.uk
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Great review! I’m glad this has worked well for you. I’m not acne prone but I’m a huge fan of salicylic acid as an ingredient if my skin is ever problematic. I don’t get on well with The Ordinary though, all of their products seem to dry my skin out quite badly x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
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I adore this product, it’s helped my skin so much so I loved reading your thoughts on it. Thanks for sharing. 💜
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
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This was so helpful! Thank you for sharing your knowledge x
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I’m glad you like it. Thank you!
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What a great review. I’ve been looking for a new salicylic acid to use (the one I used for years was discontinued *sobs*), so I’ll definitely give The Ordinary a try!
KB | Her Life in Ruins
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Thank you so much KB! I’m glad you like this post. I hope The Ordinary salicylic acid works for you ❤
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Thank you for the detailed review, it was like the 101 of salycilic acid. The rating was also a really helpful guide. Can u recommend the best time to put this on? I’ve read some use it in the morning followed by claymask. Others leave it on at night. Which one is the best for a newbie with active acne?
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I’m so glad you liked this review of The ordinary salicylic acid! I recommend using it in the evenings since it can increase sensitivity to the sun. But if you’re a regular SPF user, it can also be used in the mornings. I haven’t tried clay masks before so I can’t say. If you have active acne, salicylic acid or a benzoyl peroxide spot treatment is best for you. Thanks for reading!
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hi! glad that I found your review ❤ but im wondering if it can be used everyday and doesn't cause over exfoliation? plus can I use it along with TO niacinamide + zinc? bcs some said they can't be mixed together🤔 thankyou!!
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Hi. Thank you for reading my review of The Ordinary salicylic acid! I’m glad you like it. No, you should not use it everyday. At most, three times a week. And yes, it can be used with The Ordinary Niacinamide + Zinc solution. Just hydrate well 😊
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