The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
CeraVe Acne Control Gel
Versus

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution Versus CeraVe Acne Control Gel

Exfoliator
Facial Treatment
Canadian Brand Canada
American Brand United States

Updated on March 04, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 0 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens or silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Salicylic Acid 2%

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine

Emulsifying

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydroxyethylcellulose

Emulsion Stabilising

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Saccharide Isomerate

Humectant
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Water

Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid 2%, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Water

Acne Control Gel

Salicylic Acid 2%

Masking
BHA IconPreservative IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Glycolic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Niacinamide

Smoothing
Niacinamide IconGood for Oily Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps fight Acne IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Ceramide NP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide AP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Ceramide EOP

Skin Conditioning
Ceramide IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Carbomer

Emulsion Stabilising
1 / 0

Cetearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 1 Fatty Alcohol IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconBad for Acne Prone Skin IconNot safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Behentrimonium Methosulfate

Sulfate Icon

Triethyl Citrate

Masking
Fragrance Icon

Sodium Hyaluronate

Humectant
0 / 0 Hyaluronic Acid IconHelps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate

Emulsifying

Cholesterol

Emollient
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Disodium EDTA

Hydroxypropyl Guar

Emulsion Stabilising

Caprylyl Glycol

Emollient

Xanthan Gum

Emulsifying

Phytosphingosine

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Benzoic Acid

Masking
Preservative IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Salicylic Acid 2%, Water, Glycerin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Niacinamide, Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Carbomer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Triethyl Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Cholesterol, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Phytosphingosine, Benzoic Acid

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
10
10
10
liked
mixed
disliked
Unlock with Premium
Acne Control Gel
10
10
10
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Unlock with Premium

When to use

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

1,829 Routines
28% use in am
72% use in pm
78% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
627 Routines
33% use in am
67% use in pm
78% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients

3.40
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Great Value 33% Sticky 33% Doesn't Work 27%
See all reviews for Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

CeraVe Acne Control Gel 24 ingredients

3.25
Overall rating
5
4
3
2
1
What people say
Works Well 100% No Scent 67% Great Value 67%
See all reviews for Acne Control Gel
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