Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
The Ordinary
~€7
Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can help loosen oil and buildup inside pores, which may support blemishes, visible pores, and uneven texture. It can be drying, so slower use is often enough.
Products
Ingredient-led examples grouped by the concerns they support.
Price tiers
Budget often means a familiar active in a simpler base. It can be just as useful when the ingredient and texture suit your skin.
Mid often adds a more refined texture, supporting ingredients, or easier layering, but it is still not a guarantee of better results.
Premium can reflect higher active concentration, more formulation work, or more testing. Price alone does not prove it will work better for you.
Blemishes / Pores / Oiliness / Texture
These examples are grouped by ingredient and product type, not by brand promise. They are most relevant for blemishes / pores / oiliness / texture; tolerance, routine fit, and sunscreen use still matter.
The Ordinary
~€7
Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can help loosen oil and buildup inside pores, which may support blemishes, visible pores, and uneven texture. It can be drying, so slower use is often enough.
Paula's Choice
~€39
Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can help loosen oil and buildup inside pores, which may support blemishes, visible pores, and uneven texture. It can be drying, so slower use is often enough.
SkinCeuticals
~€110
Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid can help loosen oil and buildup inside pores, which may support blemishes, visible pores, and uneven texture. It can be drying, so slower use is often enough.
Oiliness / Pores / Redness / Dark Spots
These examples are grouped by ingredient and product type, not by brand promise. They are most relevant for oiliness / pores / redness / dark spots; tolerance, routine fit, and sunscreen use still matter.
The Ordinary
~€6
Key ingredient: Niacinamide
Niacinamide can support barrier function and help the look of oiliness, pores, redness, and uneven tone. Higher percentages are not automatically better for every face.
Naturium
~€22
Key ingredient: Niacinamide
Niacinamide can support barrier function and help the look of oiliness, pores, redness, and uneven tone. Higher percentages are not automatically better for every face.
Redness / Dark Spots / Blemishes / Texture
These examples are grouped by ingredient and product type, not by brand promise. They are most relevant for redness / dark spots / blemishes / texture; tolerance, routine fit, and sunscreen use still matter.
The Ordinary
~€12
Key ingredient: Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid can be useful when redness, blemish marks, and uneven texture overlap. It is usually a steady, gradual ingredient rather than an overnight change.
Naturium
~€22
Key ingredient: Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid can be useful when redness, blemish marks, and uneven texture overlap. It is usually a steady, gradual ingredient rather than an overnight change.
Hydration / Dryness / Fine Lines / Barrier
These examples are grouped by ingredient and product type, not by brand promise. They are most relevant for hydration / dryness / fine lines / barrier; tolerance, routine fit, and sunscreen use still matter.
SkinCeuticals
~€160
Key ingredient: Ceramides
Humectants such as glycerin draw water into the outer skin layers, while ceramides support the skin barrier. This is about comfort and consistency, not luxury.
CeraVe
~€14
Key ingredient: Glycerin + ceramides
Humectants such as glycerin draw water into the outer skin layers, while ceramides support the skin barrier. This is about comfort and consistency, not luxury.
Dark Spots / Fine Lines / Redness
These examples are grouped by ingredient and product type, not by brand promise. They are most relevant for dark spots / fine lines / redness; tolerance, routine fit, and sunscreen use still matter.
CeraVe
~€15
Key ingredient: Zinc oxide SPF
Mineral SPF with zinc oxide helps reduce UV exposure that can worsen dark spots, redness, and early lines. The best sunscreen is the one you can apply enough of and reapply.
La Roche-Posay
~€25
Key ingredient: Zinc oxide SPF
Mineral SPF with zinc oxide helps reduce UV exposure that can worsen dark spots, redness, and early lines. The best sunscreen is the one you can apply enough of and reapply.
Fine Lines / Texture / Pores / Blemishes
These examples are grouped by ingredient and product type, not by brand promise. They are most relevant for fine lines / texture / pores / blemishes; tolerance, routine fit, and sunscreen use still matter.
The Ordinary
~€12
Key ingredient: Retinoid
Retinoids can support texture, pores, blemishes, and visible fine lines over time. Irritation is common if started too often, so tolerance matters more than strength.
CeraVe
~€22
Key ingredient: Retinol
Retinoids can support texture, pores, blemishes, and visible fine lines over time. Irritation is common if started too often, so tolerance matters more than strength.
Hydration / Redness / Oiliness / Blemishes
These examples are grouped by ingredient and product type, not by brand promise. They are most relevant for hydration / redness / oiliness / blemishes; tolerance, routine fit, and sunscreen use still matter.
Cetaphil
~€10
Key ingredient: Gentle cleanser
A gentle cleanser removes sunscreen, oil, and daily buildup without intentionally stripping the barrier. A basic cleanser can be the best choice if it leaves skin comfortable.
CeraVe
~€13
Key ingredient: Gentle cleanser
A gentle cleanser removes sunscreen, oil, and daily buildup without intentionally stripping the barrier. A basic cleanser can be the best choice if it leaves skin comfortable.
Paula's Choice
~€52
Key ingredient: Niacinamide
Niacinamide can support barrier function and help the look of oiliness, pores, redness, and uneven tone. Higher percentages are not automatically better for every face.
Paula's Choice
~€43
Key ingredient: Azelaic acid
Azelaic acid can be useful when redness, blemish marks, and uneven texture overlap. It is usually a steady, gradual ingredient rather than an overnight change.
La Roche-Posay
~€20
Key ingredient: Glycerin + ceramides
Humectants such as glycerin draw water into the outer skin layers, while ceramides support the skin barrier. This is about comfort and consistency, not luxury.
EltaMD
~€42
Key ingredient: Zinc oxide SPF
Mineral SPF with zinc oxide helps reduce UV exposure that can worsen dark spots, redness, and early lines. The best sunscreen is the one you can apply enough of and reapply.
SkinCeuticals
~€90
Key ingredient: Retinol
Retinoids can support texture, pores, blemishes, and visible fine lines over time. Irritation is common if started too often, so tolerance matters more than strength.
La Roche-Posay
~€18
Key ingredient: Gentle cleanser
A gentle cleanser removes sunscreen, oil, and daily buildup without intentionally stripping the barrier. A basic cleanser can be the best choice if it leaves skin comfortable.