Salicylic Acid 2% Solution — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated August 18, 2026
Inexpensive 2% BHA serum favored for acne and clogged pores
What the community says
A 2% salicylic acid leave-on serum that exfoliates inside pores to reduce acne and blackheads. It works best used sparingly and gradually, especially on oily or acne-prone skin. Overuse risks dryness, redness, or barrier damage, so caution is advised with sensitive types.
What this means for you
Backed by 20 threads from r/AsianBeauty, r/SkincareAddiction and 5 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
Watch out for
Product details
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
Real Reddit threads — 177 mentions across 20 threads
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution on Reddit, in one place — 20 threads from r/AsianBeauty, r/SkincareAddiction and 5 more, summarized.
“-The ordinary SA serum”
Positive
“I feel like the SA serum helped.”
Positive
“You do have to be careful with how you use it though because theres a chance it’ll irritate your skin more.”
Positive
“I’ve used the salicylic acid from the ordinary in the past.”
Cautionary
“I’ve been struggling with my back acne for maybe 4 years now”
Cautionary
“same 11 huge cysts just wont go away”
Cautionary
“I have found success in reducing clogged pores and the visibility of sebaceous filaments with double cleansing and BHA.”
Positive
“I use Bioderma cleaning oil, Vanicream cleanser, and The Ordinary BHA.”
Positive
“The Ordinary BHA”
Positive
“I am currently using Panoxyl about once a week as well as The Ordinary Salicylic acid.”
Positive
“I have tried literally everything, yet my skin always has these tiny bumps.”
Positive
“My skin has remained the same for 4 years now.”
Positive
“What I've tried: TO Glycolic, TO 30% AHA + 2% BHA, TO niacinamide, TO salicylic”
Mentioned
“I still love all the above products and a lot of them have had huge impacts on other skin problems, but they do nothing for the sebaceous filaments.”
Mentioned
“Have I found my solution: Nope :(”
Mentioned
“T/Th: Salicylic Acid (The Ordinary)”
Positive
“I had similar breakouts on my forehead and chin.”
Positive
“My routine finally works”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Better for Texture / Pores
5 shared traits
661 mentions
