1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
The Ordinary
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
face wash-off mask
The Ordinary
face wash-off mask
Added Last edited
Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testA mask formulated to target lackluster tone and textural irregularities
Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is a lightweight wash-off mask from The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada. The formula is built mainly around hydration and oil control. The ingredient list runs to 19 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as light: water and humectants lead, with emollients kept lower in the order. Hydration is handled by Glycerin, Water and Squalane, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.
Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Glycerin, Water, Squalane and Pentylene Glycol.
Oil control: High. Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine, and here that comes from Kaolin, Silica Cetyl Silylate, Salicylic Acid and Charcoal Powder.
Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Squalane.
On richness alone it suits Balanced 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.
The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, brightening and tone, soothing and firmness signalling. 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.
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.
It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after serums. Seal in your serums with it; in the morning, sunscreen still goes on top.
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.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
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.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Regulates sebum production to reduce shine and greasiness
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Helps unclog pores and reduce blackheads for clearer skin
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
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.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Naturally occurring substances, kaolin (CI 77004)
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
4th 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
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Salicylic acid
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
2-Propenoic acid, homopolymer, sodium salt
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Charcoal Powder is the dried, carbonaceous material obtained from the heating of organic substances
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Acacia Senegal Gum is the dried, gummy exudate of the acacia, Acacia senegal, Leguminosae
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-Cyclohexanehexol, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate)
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
This product is the "Moisturise" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 19 ingredients on the label.
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Dissolves and carries everything else
Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells
Forms a film that slows water loss
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.
Aqua (EU),Deionized Water,Distilled Water,Micromatrix Fractile AN,Onsen-Sui (JPN),Purified Water
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Naturally occurring substances, kaolin (CI 77004)
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
2,6,10,15,19,23-Hexamethyltetracosane
4th 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
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,4:3,6-Dianhydro-2,5-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Silane, hexadecyltrimethoxy-, hydrolysis products with silica
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Salicylic acid
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
2-Propenoic acid, homopolymer, sodium salt
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Charcoal Powder is the dried, carbonaceous material obtained from the heating of organic substances
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Cyclohexanol, 4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Scleroglucan
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Acacia Senegal Gum is the dried, gummy exudate of the acacia, Acacia senegal, Leguminosae
14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-Cyclohexanehexol, 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis(dihydrogen phosphate)
16th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
17th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
18th 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)-
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
2-Phenoxyethanol
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
LA MER
Shares 6 key ingredients with Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: Water, Kaolin, Charcoal Powder, Salicylic Acid, Phytic Acid
Dr.Melaxin
Shares 5 key ingredients with Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Charcoal Powder, Sodium Polyacrylate
I Dew Care
Shares 5 key ingredients with Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: Glycerin, Sodium Polyacrylate, Water, Kaolin, Squalane
COSRX
Shares 5 key ingredients with Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: Water, Kaolin, Glycerin, Charcoal Powder, Salicylic Acid
Axis-Y
Shares 4 key ingredients with Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: Kaolin, Glycerin, Charcoal Powder, Water
I Dew Care
Shares 4 key ingredients with Salicylic Acid 2% Masque: Water, Glycerin, Kaolin, Squalane
WATER, KAOLIN, SQUALANE, GLYCERIN, DIMETHYL ISOSORBIDE, SILICA CETYL SILYLATE, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, CHARCOAL POWDER, 4-T-BUTYLCYCLOHEXANOL, SCLEROTIUM GUM, ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, XANTHAN GUM, PHYTIC ACID, POLYSORBATE 20, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, CHLORPHENESIN, PHENOXYETHANOL.
SALICYLIC ACID.
-Use once or twice a week on thoroughly clean, dry skin; do not use on wet skin. -Apply evenly across your face with your fingertips, avoiding your eye area. -Leave on for no more than 10 minutes. -Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Precautions: -Do not use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin. -Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes during application and rinse-off. -Patch testing prior to use is advised: Apply as directed to a small area once a day for three days to test if you are sensitive to this product. -If you develop severe irritation, hives, swelling of eyes and mouth, blistering, or difficulty breathing, rinse off, cease use, and consult a physician right away. -Keep out of reach of children. Sunburn Alert: -This product contains a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterward.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Balanced skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) 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.
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Polysorbate 20. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
It contains Salicylic Acid, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
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.
Use it morning and evening, after serums.
It lists 19 ingredients, of which 1 are recorded as actives.
The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.
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