The Ordinary

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum.

Body & Tan

About this product

A lightweight, water-based serum containing 2% salicylic acid designed to exfoliate and treat acne, blackheads, and oily or textured skin on the face and body.

Full ingredients

Chlorphenesin, Citric Acid, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Propanediol, Sarcosine, Water

Guru Score

79%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What the gurus are saying

This serum earns consistent praise for clearing blackheads, smoothing texture, and controlling oil without harsh dryness, making it a standout value at its price point. Most gurus recommend starting with once daily application rather than twice, as jumping straight to morning and night can over-dry skin, though the serum itself is gentle enough that one reviewer found it difficult to overdo. One reviewer experienced a purging reaction with visible whiteheads after first use, a sign the product was actively working but worth knowing going in.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take February 2025

What they liked

Thin, watery texture spreads easily
Absorbs without stickiness or film
Large 240 ml bottle lasts well

What they flagged

Needs a moisturiser on top

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

Body & TanLiquid

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Sephora → Ulta → Amazon → Google →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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Mad About Skin

731k subs

✓Yay

"I've been using this on the chest and on the back, just minimizes any breakouts, prevents any blackheads that might form in those areas, smooths everything out for me. [...] You get so much, you get 240 ml, you can use this all over the body head to toe for that great exfoliation, get rid of that dead skin cells, get the skin and the body smooth. Great on the hands if you've got quite rough hands, particularly in winter."

Sincerely Miss Ash

195k subs

✓Yay

"I really do like this. During my time testing this I didn't have any breakouts on my chest or on my body, but it did a really good job to smooth out everything on my chest and I was really pleased with that. You can use this every day, or if you choose to use this twice a day you could do that as well. I would probably start with once a day and see how it goes. [...] This is very thin and watery [...] and it does spread nicely. It does not dry down sticky or tacky."

Nipun Kapur

412k subs

✓Yay

"The salicylic acid body serum is a 0.5% concentration, so it's not a 1%, it's not a 2%, it's not a watered down formula. This is something that I have been using, and obviously I'm going to use it and finish it off."

Frequently asked.

What is The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum?

A lightweight, water-based serum containing 2% salicylic acid designed to exfoliate and treat acne, blackheads, and oily or textured skin on the face and body.

Is The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum worth it?

Yes. All 3 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 79%.

What is The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum's Guru Score?

The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum holds a Guru Score of 79%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.