The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution Versus Votary Meta Active Complex 3-9-12 Night Star Serum
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients
Votary Meta Active Complex 3-9-12 Night Star Serum 58 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients
Votary Meta Active Complex 3-9-12 Night Star Serum 58 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Seed Oil
Emollient
Rosa Damascena Flower Water
MaskingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Extract
Skin ProtectingGlyceryl Stearate Se
Emulsifying
Nigella Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Propanediol
SolventSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSqualane
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Triticum Vulgare/Aestivum Grain Extract
Skin ConditioningArachidyl Alcohol
EmollientLactic Acid
Buffering
Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil
Emollient
Behenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningNarcissus Poeticus Callus Extract
Antioxidant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Arachidyl Glucoside
EmulsifyingCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningCetearyl Olivate
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract
Emulsion StabilisingCeramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Wood Oil
Perfuming
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCitric Acid
Buffering
Michelia Champaca Flower Oil
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil
Humectant
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Michelia Alba Leaf Oil
Masking
Ocimum Basilicum Oil
Masking
Oenothera Biennis Oil
Emollient
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Rosa Damascena Flower Oil
Masking
Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil
Emollient
Santalum Spicatum Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialCalcium Gluconate
HumectantDunaliella Salina Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate Extract, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Nigella Sativa Seed Oil, Propanediol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Squalane, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Triticum Vulgare/Aestivum Grain Extract, Arachidyl Alcohol, Lactic Acid, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Behenyl Alcohol, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Oil, Bisabolol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Narcissus Poeticus Callus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Arachidyl Glucoside, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Callus Culture Extract, Cetearyl Olivate, Bakuchiol, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydrolyzed Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Extract, Ceramide NP, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Podocarpus Elatus Fruit Extract, Pleiogynium Timoriense Fruit Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Cinnamomum Camphora Linalooliferum Wood Oil, Gluconolactone, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Michelia Champaca Flower Oil, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Camellia Sinensis Seed Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Michelia Alba Leaf Oil, Ocimum Basilicum Oil, Oenothera Biennis Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Rosa Damascena Flower Oil, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil, Santalum Spicatum Seed Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Calcium Gluconate, Dunaliella Salina Extract
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 is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
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 even out skin tone.
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.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients
Votary Meta Active Complex 3-9-12 Night Star Serum 58 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 11 ingredients
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.
