The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution for oily acne-prone skin
Salicylic Acid
Squalane
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
Pentylene Glycol
Oleic Linoleic Linolenic Polyglycerides
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers excellent exfoliation for your oily skin, as salicylic acid effectively decongestes pores and smooths texture, while squalane provides essential hydration without increasing oiliness.
- The formula is highly suitable for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, with salicylic acid targeting these concerns through moderate exfoliation and pore-cleansing.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing squalane.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but before your final moisturizer step.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product directly onto clean, dry skin for the best results against breakouts.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use a daily SPF since exfoliating makes skin more sensitive to the sun.
People Say
★3.6Overall rating based on 1.3k+ reviewsThis water-free serum is widely praised by users with dry or sensitive skin for its gentle, moisturizing squalane base that exfoliates without the irritation typical of salicylic acid. However, those with oily or combination skin frequently find the oil-like texture too heavy and greasy, with some reporting that it sits on top of the skin rather than absorbing. Based on a very large amount of data, this should be definitely taken into account.
Highlights
Greasy/Oily feel Mostly Mentioned
- “Feels like putting olive oil on my face”
- “Way too greasy for my liking”
- “Texture is heavy and uncomfortable”
Gentle and non-irritating Often Mentioned
- “Most gentle salicylic acid product I have ever used”
- “Didn't irritate my sensitive skin at all”
- “Great for those who find the original formula too harsh”
Not for oily skin Often Mentioned
- “Made my oily skin feel even grosser”
- “Too heavy for congestion-prone oily skin”
- “Do not recommend if you are already shiny”
Slow absorption Often Mentioned
- “Takes forever to absorb”
- “Just sits on top of my skin”
- “Transfers onto my pillowcase at night”
Effective on pores Sometimes Noted
- “Noticed a difference in my pores and blackheads”
- “Helped decongest my nose area”
- “Texture is smoother after consistent use”
Hydrating oil texture Sometimes Noted
- “Feels nourishing and leaves a nice glow”
- “Keeps my skin hydrated while treating spots”
- “Perfect for dry winter skin”
Caused breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “Clogged my pores badly”
- “Broke me out in tiny bumps”
- “Caused more acne than it cleared”
Glowy finish Rarely Noted
- “Gives a nice healthy glow”
- “Skin looks radiant the next morning”
- “Leaves a lovely sheen”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, theordinary.com, ulta.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment is a great fit because salicylic acid clears out clogged pores and smooths texture while squalane adds light hydration without making your skin oily. It helps calm breakouts effectively and has a very safe formula with soothing ingredients that are unlikely to cause irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid makes this exfoliant a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin by clearing out clogged pores and smoothing texture while targeting breakouts. At the same time, squalane helps keep your skin hydrated without adding extra oiliness or causing irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Salicylic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing oil levels and calming inflammation. It is well suited for oily, acne-prone skin because it targets pimples while helping keep the skin hydrated and protected.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Experimental Dermatology, 2019
What does Squalane do for oily acne-prone skin?
Squalane may help keep oily skin soft and smooth, but oxidized squalene can trigger inflammation in acne-prone skin. Because of this, oily acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-greasy ingredients that balance moisture without clogging pores.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine, where Lovi routines put treatments like serums and ampoules for extra safety around sun exposure. You should start using it once a week, and if you tolerate it well and see good results, you can carefully use it more often.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by applying them on alternate nights to prevent irritation on oily skin. Using both in the same routine may be too harsh, so alternating helps keep your skin smooth and calm.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results. Salicylic acid helps clear out pores and smooth texture without adding extra oiliness, while soothing ingredients keep the risk of irritation low.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
Salicylic acid helps clear out pores and target breakouts on oily acne-prone skin, while squalane provides hydration without adding extra oil. Because skin can react to new treatments, this product may occasionally lead to initial breakouts or purging as it works.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Application of squalene/phosphotungstate calcium nanowires (Sql/PWC) oleogel on UVB-irradiated skin decreased epidermal thickness, increased dermal thickness, and promoted the expression of elastin, collagen, and skin barrier markers through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025Topical application of an emollient emulsion containing 15.0% caprylic/capric triglyceride doubled the amount of urocanic acid isomers and increased skin hydration with reduced transepidermal water loss in healthy subjects, though it did not prevent ultraviolet-induced urocanic acid isomerization.
Life, 2023Exposure of epidermal full-thickness skin equivalents to a blend of betaine, pentylene glycol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Rhodiola rosea root extract significantly increased antioxidant, skin barrier, and oxidative stress biomarkers while reducing the negative impact of hydrogen peroxide on MMP3, MMP12, FBN2, ANXA1, and HGF, whereas a blend of Narcissus tazetta bulb extract and Schisandra chinensis fruit extract significantly increased 8 growth factors, 7 signaling, 7 structural/barrier function, 7 oxidative stress biomarkers, and specific microRNAs over control levels.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018
Ingredients
Squalane, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Oleic Linoleic Linolenic Polyglycerides, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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