The Ordinary
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
The Ordinary
the-ordinary-salicylic-acid-2-solution
Serum
10085015159077
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Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Salicylic Acid serum with 10 ingredients
FEATURES
Exfoliates, smooths, visibly decongests pores, promotes exfoliation, reduces congestion, suitable for oily and blemish-prone skin, water-based serum
BEST FOR
oily
CHECKS
Does not contain silicones or parabens as per usual The Ordinary formula standards (not explicitly listed in content), avoid use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin, avoid eye area
Who Is It For?
Teenagers And Adults All GendersWhat Does It Help With?
Congestion Blemishes Textural Irregularities Acne-prone SkinBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What The Ordinary Says
Product Description:
A targeted serum for blemish-prone skin. Targets signs of congestion. Suitable for oily skin. Water-based serum made with an optimum concentration of salicylic acid which targets textural irregularities while removing dead skin cells that can clog pores. Promotes exfoliation and helps visibly reduce congestion, giving way to brighter, clearer skin. Suitable for use by teenagers with blemish-prone skin.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
aqua-water,saccharide-isomerate,cocamidopropyl-dimethylamine,salicylic-acid,hydroxyethylcellulose,polysorbate-20,citric-acid,sodium-citrate,sodium-hydroxide,phenoxyethanol,chlorphenesin
Key Ingredients
Salicylic Acid
Ingredients Details
Chlorphenesin
Common Name(s): 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-1,2-propanediol,globacid
CAS Number: 104-29-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides gram-negative focused preservation complementary to phenoxyethanol for comprehensive spectrum coverage.
Why It's Used: Phenoxyethanol complement โ chlorphenesin's gram-negative and antifungal coverage complements phenoxyethanol's gram-positive activity for full-spectrum preservation at lower individual concentrations.
How It Works: 4-chlorophenol ether glycol disrupts bacterial and fungal membranes. strong gram-negative activity (pseudomonas, e. coli). good candida antifungal activity. used with phenoxyethanol for synergistic broad-spectrum coverage. ph stable 3-9.
Typically Found In: Comprehensive preservation systems,baby products (low concentration)
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ glycerol ether preservative
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ0.3%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu max 0.3% cosmetics. good safety profile. synergistic combination with phenoxyethanol (0.3% pe + 0.1% chlorphenesin often equivalent to 1% pe alone).
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Chlorphenesin + phenoxyethanol synergy operates through a classic spectrum-filling combination: phenoxyethanol provides strong gram-positive antimicrobial activity while chlorphenesin provides gram-negative and antifungal coverage. the combination's minimum inhibitory concentration sum is subadditive (provides equivalent preservation at combined concentrations below what either alone would require) โ textbook pharmacological synergy enabling lower total preservative load.
Last Verified: Cosing database,eu preservative annex v,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Common Name(s): Hec,natrosol,ethylhydroxyethylcellulose
CAS Number: 9004-62-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides non-ionic thickening compatible with anionic surfactants and electrolyte-containing formulations.
Why It's Used: Non-ionic cellulose thickener for surfactant systems where anionic/cationic thickener incompatibility is a concern.
How It Works: Hydroxyethyl substitution disrupts cellulose crystallinity enabling water solubility. non-ionic nature provides compatibility with anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants. pseudoplastic rheology provides shear-thinning for dispensing. film formation from cellulose backbone.
Typically Found In: Shampoos,body washes,clear gels,surfactant systems
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ cellulose thickener
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ3%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from cellulose (plant)
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Hydroxyethylcellulose's non-ionic character is its primary differentiator from anionic carboxymethylcellulose โ the absence of ionizable groups means hec maintains stable viscosity across ph 2-12 and at high electrolyte concentrations where carboxymethylcellulose destabilizes. this ionic independence makes hec the preferred cellulose thickener for acidic and salt-containing formulations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,ashland hec technical data,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Phenoxyethanol
Common Name(s): 2-phenoxyethanol,rose ether,ethylene glycol monophenyl ether
CAS Number: 122-99-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Prevents microbial contamination and spoilage in cosmetic formulations.
Why It's Used: The benchmark cosmetic preservative โ eu-permitted up to 1%, effective against virtually all cosmetically relevant microorganisms, and excellent tolerability.
How It Works: Phenol ring provides broad antimicrobial activity via disruption of bacterial and fungal cell membranes and inhibition of enzymatic activity. effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts (candida), and molds (aspergillus). activity ph range: 3-9.
Typically Found In: All cosmetic formulations as primary preservative
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ broad-spectrum preservative
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ1% (eu max 1%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetic
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Eu cosmetics regulation max 1%. sccs assessed as safe at โค1%. avoid use around eyes in baby products per some country regulations. ewg score: 4.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Phenoxyethanol's widespread adoption as the primary cosmetic preservative followed the phaseout of parabens from many formulations in the 2000s-2010s. despite having a comparable or better safety profile to parabens, it is often cited in 'free-from' formulations โ a consumer perception issue rather than a scientific safety concern.
Last Verified: Cosing database,sccs opinion on phenoxyethanol,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12