Versus

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution Versus L300 Enzyme Peel with Prebiotic

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens 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.

New Comparison

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Facial Treatment

Canadian Brand Canada

L300 Enzyme Peel with Prebiotic

Exfoliator

Swedish Brand Sweden

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients

L300 Enzyme Peel with Prebiotic 20 ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients

L300 Enzyme Peel with Prebiotic 20 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

BHA • Preservative • 5 Benefits • 4 Concerns

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.

Liked Full details ->

Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine Emulsifying

Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine comes from the fatty acids of coconut oil. It is an emulsifier, meaning it helps stabilize and mix ingredients.

Disliked Full details ->

Chlorphenesin Antimicrobial, Preservative

Preservative

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Disliked Full details ->

Citric Acid Buffering, Masking

AHA • 4 Benefits • 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->

Hydroxyethylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Mixed Full details ->

Phenoxyethanol Preservative

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Polysorbate 20 Emulsifying

0 / 0

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Saccharide Isomerate Humectant

Saccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.

Loved Full details ->

Sodium Citrate Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Mixed Full details ->

Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

Mixed Full details ->

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Loved Full details ->

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

Enzyme Peel with Prebiotic

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

Loved Full details ->

Ethylhexyl Stearate Emollient

2 Concerns

Ethylhexyl Stearate is an ester of 2-ethylhexyl alcohol and stearic acid. It is an emulsifier, emollient, and texture enhancer.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Isopropyl Palmitate Emollient, Masking

3-4 / 1

3 Concerns

Isopropyl Palmitate is a texture enhancer and emollient. It is an ester of isopropyl alcohol and palmitic acid.

3-4 Com. / 1 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

0 / 0

2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate Emulsifying

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate is created from the diester of stearic acid and the condensation product of methylglucose and Polyglycerin-3.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Cetyl Alcohol Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising

2 / 2

Fatty Alcohol

Cetyl Alcohol is a fatty alcohol. Fatty Alcohols are most often used as an emollient or to thicken a product.

2 Com. / 2 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Glyceryl Stearate Emollient, Emulsifying

1 / 0

Not safe for Fungal Acne

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Disliked Full details ->

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Masking, Skin Conditioning

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.

Mixed Full details ->

Dimethicone Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

1 / 0

Silicon

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Inulin Skin Conditioning

Inulin is a polysaccharide (carbohydrate) with prebiotic and antioxidant properties.

Loved Full details ->

Panthenol Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Helps reduce irritation

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Bacillus Ferment Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Bacillus Ferment.

Mixed Full details ->

Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing

Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide is a prebiotic. It prevents harmful bacteria from growing on skin by keeping the skin's microbiome in balance.

Loved Full details ->

Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

Disliked Full details ->

Propylene Glycol Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

0 / 0

May worsen Eczema

Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

Disliked Full details ->

Caprylyl Glycol Emollient, Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.

Liked Full details ->

Citric Acid Buffering, Masking

AHA • 4 Benefits • 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->

Potassium Sorbate Preservative

Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Disliked Full details ->

Phenoxyethanol Preservative

Preservative

Very Disliked Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Citric Acid

Buffering, Masking

Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative

Very Disliked

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Ingredient Ratings

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

Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

Enzyme Peel with Prebiotic

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

When to use

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients

L300 Enzyme Peel with Prebiotic 20 ingredients

683 Routines

30% use in am

70% use in pm

80% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

1 Routine

0% use in am

100% use in pm

100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients

4.2 /5

from 11 ratings

Great Value (3) Sticky (3) No Scent (3) Absorbs Well (2) Broke Me Out (2) Heavy (2)

JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352

2 months ago · Oily Skin

Review

It is like gel consistency but it gets foamy when you try to spread across your face. Despite that, it works on my skin because acnes are getting...

It is like gel consistency but it gets foamy when you try to spread across your face. Despite that, it works on my skin because acnes are getting smaller and my closed comadomes are slowly disappearing.
When it gets foamy after spreading across my face, i simply let it dry for like 30 seconds then put on other skincare.