The Ordinary

Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum

body serum

Added Last edited

Fit by skin type

General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.

Dry
51%
Combination (dry)
51%
Balanced
81%
Combination (oily)
89%
Oily
89%

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9
Ingredients
4
Benefits
2
Actives
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An exfoliating body serum that fights acne blemishes while visibly smoothing texture

Key Insights

Benefits

4
Anti-Acne
Anti-Aging
Blackhead Reducing
Hydration

Active Ingredients

2
AHA BHA

Full Ingredients

9 total
AQUA PROPANEDIOL SARCOSINE SALICYLIC ACID BHA GLYCERIN COCAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYLAMINE CITRIC ACID AHA PHENOXYETHANOL CHLORPHENESIN

About Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum

Overview

Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum is a lightweight serum from The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 9 ingredients, each broken down in full below.

Texture and finish

By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Hydration is handled by Propanediol, Glycerin and Sarcosine, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.

What the formula does

Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Propanediol, Glycerin and Sarcosine.

Cell renewal: Moderate. Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover, and here that comes from Salicylic Acid and Citric Acid.

Oil control: Moderate. Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine, and here that comes from Salicylic Acid.

Who it suits

On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.

What it does not target

The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, brightening and tone and soothing. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.

What is not in it

Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.

Where it fits in a routine

It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after toner, before moisturiser. Apply to clean, dry skin and give it a minute to absorb before the next layer. Introduce one new treatment at a time so you can identify what is working.

This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.

Pros and cons

Drawn purely from the ingredient list

Pros

  • No fragrance or declared allergens
  • No essential oils
  • No drying alcohol
  • Silicone-free
  • No microplastics
  • Strong humectant content for hydration
  • No common irritants flagged in the list
  • No recognised malassezia (fungal acne) triggers

Things to know

  • Contains ingredients usually flagged for review during pregnancy

Which skin types it suits

Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.

Suitable for

  • Combination (oily) skin
  • Oily skin

May suit

  • Balanced skin

Less suitable for

  • Dry skin
  • Combination (dry) skin

Sensitive skin

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Skin concerns

Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.

Helps with

  • Hydration 3 ingredients

    Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy

  • Anti-Aging 2 ingredients

    Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

  • Anti-Acne 1 ingredient

    Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores

  • Blackhead Reducing 1 ingredient

    Helps unclog pores and reduce blackheads for clearer skin

Does not target

Dark Spot Fading Evens Skin Tone Oil Control Pore Minimizer Smooths Bumpy Skin Soothing

None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.

Key ingredients

The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.

Propanediol

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

1,3-dihydroxypropane

Hydration
Sarcosine

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Glycine, N-methyl-

Hydration
Salicylic Acid BHA

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Salicylic acid

Anti-Acne Anti-Aging Blackhead Reducing
Glycerin

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane

Hydration Anti-Aging
Citric Acid AHA

7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid

Formula analysis

Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.

Hydration High

Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin

Barrier support None

Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity

Antioxidant support None

Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution

Oil control Moderate

Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine

Brightening None

Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks

Soothing None

Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity

Cell renewal Moderate

Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover

Firmness signalling None

Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support

Active and supporting ingredients

"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.

Active ingredients (2)

Supporting ingredients (7)

Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.

Aqua Propanediol Sarcosine Glycerin Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin

What is and is not in it

Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.

Free from

  • Fragrance-free
  • Essential-oil-free
  • No drying alcohol
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Microplastic-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Dye-free
  • Oil-free
  • No animal-derived ingredients

What to layer it with

Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.

Compatible with

  • Azelaic acid
  • Copper peptides
  • Bakuchiol
  • Niacinamide
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Ceramides
  • Signal peptides
  • Panthenol
  • Sunscreen

Use with caution

  • Retinoids (retinol, retinal)

    Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • AHAs (glycolic, lactic)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • BHA (salicylic acid)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • PHAs (gluconolactone)

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

  • Benzoyl peroxide

    Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.

Where it fits in a routine

Morning Evening
  1. Cleanse
  2. Toning
  3. Treat
  4. Moisturise
  5. Protect

This product is the "Treat" step.

  • Apply to clean, dry skin and give it a minute to absorb before the next layer.
  • Introduce one new treatment at a time so you can identify what is working.

Safety and suitability

Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Contains Salicylic Acid, usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy.
Fungal acne (malassezia)
No ingredient here is a recognised food source for malassezia.
Sensitive and reactive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Ingredients by function

Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 9 ingredients on the label.

3
Preservative

Keeps the product free of microbial growth

3
Solvent

Dissolves and carries everything else

2
Active

Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels

2
Texture agent

Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula

1
Humectant

Draws water into the upper layers of skin

1
Chelator

Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula

1
Exfoliant

Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells

1
Occlusive

Forms a film that slows water loss

1
pH adjuster

Sets the acidity the formula needs to work

1
Surfactant

Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together

Ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.

1 Aqua Solvent
Estimated level
30–80%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.

Water

2 Propanediol Texture agent
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Texture agent, Solvent

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

1,3-dihydroxypropane

Hydration
4 scientific references
  • PubChem Compound Summary, April 2021, ePublication
  • SpecialChem, Accessed April 2021, ePublication
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review, June 2018, pages 1-73
  • Cosmetics & Toiletries, May 2013, pages 81-86
3 Sarcosine
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Glycine, N-methyl-

Hydration
4 scientific references
  • Meyler’s Side Effects of Drugs, 2016, page 310
  • Journal of Controlled Release, January 2013, pages 91-100
  • International Journal of Toxicology, July-August 2012, pages 358-363
  • Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, January 2007, pages 155-161
4 Salicylic Acid Active
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Active, Exfoliant, Preservative

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Salicylic acid

Anti-Acne Anti-Aging Blackhead Reducing
10 scientific references
  • Experimental Dermatology, July 2019, pages 786-794
  • European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, June 2019, pages 1-70
  • Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, April 2018, pages 245-251
  • Journal of Cosmetic Science, January-February 2017, pages 55-58
  • Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, August 2015, pages 455-461
  • Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, November 2010, pages 135-142
  • Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, September 2008, pages 170-176
  • Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, April 2007, pages 651-663
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, February 2000, pages 21-52
  • Seminars in Dermatology, December 1990, pages 305-308
5 Glycerin Humectant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Occlusive, Texture agent, Solvent

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane

Hydration Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
  • Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, March 2021, pages 223-231
  • International Journal of Toxicology, November/December 2019, Volume 38, Supplement 3, pages 6S-22S
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2016, ePublication
  • British Journal of Dermatology, July 2008, pages 23-34
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, June 2007, pages 75-82
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2003, pages 7, 360-7, 365
6 Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine Surfactant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant

6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Amides, coco, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]

7 Citric Acid Active
Estimated level
1–5%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Active, Chelator, pH adjuster

7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid

8 Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Preservative

8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

2-Phenoxyethanol

9 Chlorphenesin Preservative
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Preservative

9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

1,2-Propanediol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-

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Frequently asked questions

What ingredients are in Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum?

AQUA, PROPANEDIOL, SARCOSINE, SALICYLIC ACID, GLYCERIN, COCAMIDOPROPYL DIMETHYLAMINE, CITRIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHLORPHENESIN.

What are the active ingredients in Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum?

SALICYLIC ACID, CITRIC ACID.

How do I use Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum?

-Clean the skin thoroughly before applying this product. -Cover the entire affected area with a thin layer one to three times daily. -Because excessive drying of the skin may occur, start with one application daily, then gradually increase to two or three times daily if needed or as directed by a doctor. -If bothersome dryness or peeling occurs, reduce application to once a day or every other day. -If eye contact occurs, flush thoroughly with water. -Patch testing prior to use is advised.

What skin types is Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum good for?

Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.

Is Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum good for sensitive skin?

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Is Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum fungal acne safe?

No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.

Can I use Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum while pregnant?

It contains Salicylic Acid, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.

Is Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum fragrance free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.

Does Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum contain alcohol?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.

Is Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum silicone free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.

Does Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum contain essential oils?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.

Is Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum paraben free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.

What can I layer with Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum?

It layers well with Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.

When should I apply Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum?

Use it morning and evening, after toner, before moisturiser.

How many ingredients does Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum have?

It lists 9 ingredients, of which 2 are recorded as actives.

Who makes Salicylic Acid 0.5% Body Serum?

The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.

Brand
The Ordinary
Country
Canada
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