Versus

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution Versus Dermalogica Retinol Acne Clearing Oil

Exfoliator
Facial Treatment
Canadian Brand Canada
American Brand United States

Updated on March 04, 2025

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

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

Free From

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

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

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Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid

When to use

1,730 Routines
29% use in am
71% use in pm
78% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
30 Routines
7% use in am
93% use in pm
77% 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

3.4 /5
from 19 ratings
Great Value (5) Sticky (5) Doesn't Work (4)
JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352's avatar
Review

The BHA didnt remove my acne, the clogged pores, and the sebaceous filaments. I've been using it for 4 months, and my acne condition is still the same.

#sticky
#no scent
#doesn't work
charlee's avatar

charlee

1 year ago
Review

stops bumps coming up

Dermalogica Retinol Acne Clearing Oil 21 ingredients

3.5 /5
from 2 ratings
Expensive (1)
lilykt's avatar

lilykt

4 months ago
Review

Does a decent job of clearing up acne, but does next to nothing for fine lines/wrinkles. I never noticed a difference as far as anti-aging.

#expensive