Salicylic Acid 2% Solution — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated October 5, 2026
2% salicylic acid for clogged pores and blackheads; can be drying.
What the community says
A 2% leave-on BHA serum for oily, clog-prone skin and stubborn blackheads. Redditors use it as a maintenance exfoliant, and studies back the acne-clearing angle. Dry skin and irritated barriers usually hate it.
What this means for you
What people love
- 2% leave-on BHA for clogged pores
- Doesn’t leave a sticky film
- Cheap, easy to find, easy to replace
Watch out for
- Can sting, dry out, and wreck a weak barrier
- Some acne-prone users see purging or outright worse breakouts
- Underperforms for some people versus other BHAs
Product details
Concerns
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Salicylic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 34 studies
On Reddit: Forehead bumps call for starting a few times weekly, rather than applying it nightly. 50 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found salicylic acid helped clear acne
- It often reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
- It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
- Used with other acne treatments, it sometimes cleared acne better than those treatments alone
- Side effect results were very uncertain in one large review
Studied at 0.5–30%this product: 2%
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 230 mentions across 24 threads
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution on Reddit, in one place — 24 threads from r/AsianBeauty, r/30PlusSkinCare 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
“The Ordinary salicylic acid 2% (3x a week)”
Positive
“Current skincare:”
Positive
“- The Ordinary salicylic acid 2% (3x a week)”
Positive
“And I use The Ordinary salicylic acid too.”
Positive
“That keeps the texture at bay.”
Positive
“Edit: I also use TO’s glycolic acid as well!”
Positive
“- the ordinary SA 2% solution”
Positive
“You’re using salicylic acid which is good, but that serum isn’t strongly exfoliating chemically, it’s more a gentle serum aimed to keep skin/pores clean and tight.”
Positive
“I would try and use less salicylic acid (unless you see increase in breakouts from that) overall”
Positive
“The ordinary has one that’s extremely affordable and comfortable to use”
Mentioned
“doesn’t leave noticeable residue/film”
Mentioned
“Try applying salicylic acid after each shower.”
Mentioned
“the ordinary salicylic acid & amlactin daily.”
Positive
“I finally feel soft and more self confident.”
Positive
“I use the ordinary glycolic acid and it works wonders tbh”
Positive
Other variants in this line
Same formula family — here’s what changes between them.
- SolutionYou’re here
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
230 mentions
MasqueSalicylic Acid 2% Masque
12 mentions
3 of 4 traits shared
Dupes & Alternatives
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Better for Texture / Pores
7 shared traits
835 mentions
