PRODUCT REVIEW: THE ORDINARY SALICYLIC ACID 2% MASQUE - WHAT IS SALICYLIC ACID? WHAT DOES SALICYLIC ACID DO TO YOUR SKIN?
THE ORDINARY | SALICYLIC ACID 2% MASQUE
Photo credit: ©2022 Antonio Jefferson, Antonio Jefferson Studios
This product review was originally part of my blog article titled, The Best Salicylic Acid Treatments from The Ordinary - What Is Salicylic Acid? What Does Salicylic Acid Do to Your Skin? You can catch the full piece here.
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I’ve seen my share of skincare innovations, marketing trends and even entire brands come and go. Skincare marketing fascinates me. But what really intrigues me is how consumers respond to and absorb what marketers put out there. A prime example of this is the average skincare consumer’s understanding of the ingredient Salicylic Acid.
Because there has been such limited innovation in face products for acne, most skincare marketers have focused on face serums, cleansers and moisturizers formulated with Salicylic Acid, one of very few FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of acne. In the United States, acne is considered a medical condition and the products to treat it are heavily regulated. (Hence the lack of innovation!)
I love Salicylic Acid! In my experience, one of the best exfoliating, pore-refining toners with Salicylic Acid is the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. A sweep of it over skin twice a day goes a long way to limiting the occurrence of acne breakouts and helping to heal existing acne blemishes. Catch my review of it on the blog here.
PRODUCT REVIEW: PAULA’S CHOICE SKIN PERFECTING 2% BHA LIQUID EXFOLIANT
And while Salicylic Acid is one of the most effective ingredients for treating acne blemishes, it’s not just for acne-prone skin. That’s where the marketing comes into play. Salicylic Acid happens to be a superior pro-skin health ingredient that should be incorporated into any skincare routine, no matter your skin type or skin concerns. Like Niacinamide and Vitamin C, it’s that versatile. Yet it’s rarely, if ever, taken up by skincare marketers for anything more than acne treatment products.
What Is Salicylic Acid and Is Salicylic Acid Good for Acne?
Salicylic Acid, a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA, is perpetually the active of choice for controlling acne- and oily-prone skin. And while it’s one of the most effective anti-acne ingredients, it’s so effective at optimizing skin health that it should be a staple in every pro-skin health routine, not just an acne routine.
What does Salicylic Acid do for the rest of us – those who don’t struggle with acne every day? Well, the best BHA happens to be superb at unclogging pores. We all have pores. And all our pores get clogged. For me, Salicylic Acid and Niacinamide form a one-two punch in my daily skincare regimen that keeps my pores clear and my skin fresh. It’s one of the few acids that can effectively dissolve hardened sebum inside pores to release oil, dirt, and bacteria — all of which can result in a blemish. But more than that, by clearing and refreshing pores, skin functions better and is able to respond to both internal and external aggressors more effectively. That translates into healthier skin. Skincare marketers aren’t often interested in that part of the equation.
According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, Salicylic Acid is among the best ingredients for promoting skin health and specifically the treatment of acne blemishes:
Salicylic acid (also called beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a desmolytic ingredient, which means it is able to exfoliate by dissolving the bonds that hold the dead cells to skin’s surface. Because salicylic acid is oil soluble, it also has the ability to penetrate into the pore lining and exfoliate inside the pore. This makes it especially effective for reducing breakouts, including blackheads and whiteheads.
Salicylic acid is recognized as an over-the-counter topical acne product by the U.S. FDA, when used in concentrations of 0.5-2%. Even though salicylic acid is best known for its ability to address acne-prone skin concerns, it offers many additional properties that any skin type can benefit from. Case in point, by exfoliating the buildup of dead skin on the surface, it also helps reverse the appearance of dull, uneven skin tone, as well as other visible signs of aging skin.
Unlike physical exfoliants (such as a rough facial scrub), salicylic acid offers hydrating properties that enhance the result of smooth, soft skin. Another unique advantage is salicylic acid’s ability to gently soothe aggravated skin thanks to its inherent calming properties.
Salicylic acid works most effectively as a leave-on treatment, ideally within a pH range between 3 and 4. Rinse-off salicylic acid cleansers typically have a higher pH, which likely won’t offer much of an exfoliation benefit, not to mention the contact time with skin is very brief - but the salicylic acid may at least offer skin-calming benefits in this form and can be included in amounts as low as 0.5% to achieve this benefit.
Research shows using salicylic acid starting at a 1-2% concentration is recommended for regular exfoliation within a skin care routine. For more stubborn concerns, higher concentrations can make a dramatic difference. In dermatologic practices, salicylic acid has been safely used in as high as 50% concentrations for removal of warts, corns, pigmented lesions, and other advanced concerns.
Salicylic acid has been found to be safe on all skin tones and ethnicities.
Best Products from The Ordinary
One of the most comprehensive Salicylic Acid collections comes from one of my favorite and most trusted brands, The Ordinary. I have so many favorites from The Ordinary! Among my regular go-to’s are The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution, the brand’s best Vitamin C serum, Ethylated Ascorbic Acid 15% Solution, and wildly popular Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — very likely the top-selling Niacinamide serum in the world.
Don’t quote me on that, it’s just an educated guess from someone who’s been in the business awhile.
The company’s Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is one of the most popular face serums for oily skin — and likely all skins — on Sephora’s website. I would venture to guess it’s the best-selling acne treatment on Earth.
How Do I Know The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid 7% Toner Works as a Deodorant?
Now, that’s not to say that I think The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is the best acne treatment available, but skincare marketers have done such a great job of conditioning us all to think that Salicylic Acid equals acne that I know it’s among the top-selling products in the world.
While the brand’s water-based Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is a longtime fave for oily- and acne-prone skin, The Ordinary just introduced a new Salicylic Acid-powered serum, the Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution. It’s an oil-based, or water-free, treatment that uses Squalane as the formula base. It has a really light, velvety texture and functions very much like a moisturizer with Salicylic Acid that helps to clear clogged pores.
Rounding out The Ordinary’s trio of Salicylic Acid treatments is the brand’s super messy but irresistible Salicylic Acid 2% Masque. It’s like that messy friend who causes all kinds of drama but the day after you think you had an amazing time, and at least no one ended up in jail.
I’ll take a deep dive into each of The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid products below. But first, I’m excited to share my latest collaboration with my good friend, photographer Antonio Jefferson of New York-based Antonio Jefferson Studio.
Antonio has shot products for the Skincarma Blog on multiple occasions, including some of 2021’s coolest Vitamin C serums in a blog article last summer titled, New Vitamin C Serums I’m Crushing on from Wander Beauty, Glossier, Kat Burki and More. You can catch the piece, and Antonio’s stunning product shots here.
COLLAB WITH ANTONIO JEFFERSON STUDIO: NEW VITAMIN C SERUMS I’M CRUSHING ON FROM WANDER BEAUTY, GLOSSIER, KAT BURKI & MORE
Several of The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid product shots in the blog are Antonio’s images, including the stunning cover shot for the article. I’ve indicated Antonio’s shots throughout the article and am excited to have the opportunity to share his work again with Skincarma followers.
Be sure to check out Antonio’s portfolio of fashion and product images on his site here — and follow his journey on his IG page, too!
With that, let’s take a look at one of the three products that comprise The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid collection…
Photo credit: ©2022 Antonio Jefferson, Antonio Jefferson Studios
The Ordinary | Salicylic Acid 2% Masque
Look, sometimes masking can be messy. You know the drill: you get the mask in your hair, you get it stuck in your eyebrows, some of it ends up on the floor. That was always the case with that ridiculous Dr. Jart’s Shake & Shot rubber mask. More of it ended up on my bathroom floor than on my face!
If you think that mask is messy, The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is next-level messy. But unlike Shake & Shot, which is more skin gimmick than skin care, the Salicylic Acid 2% Masque has legit benefits for skin – benefits you’ll see instantly and over time. It’s the Salicylic Acid for me.
The Ordinary says that the Salicylic Acid 2% Masque “is formulated to target lackluster tone and textural irregularities. The formula, infused with charcoal and clays, aims to enhance the appearance of smoothness and clarity, leaving the skin feeling refreshed.”
In other words, it helps clear skin!
Photo credit: ©2022 Antonio Jefferson, Antonio Jefferson Studios
But the skincare upside comes with a bathroom downside. If you’re not careful, you end up with gray water all over the bathroom sink, mirror and floor. So I’m super careful washing it off and have even gotten into the habit of removing it in the shower.
As messy as it is, it’s a relatively simple, effective clay mask for all skin types, but particularly acne-prone skins that can most benefit from the power of Salicylic Acid.
The first four ingredients in The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque are water, Kaolin, Squalane and Glycerin. That 2% Salicylic Acid comes in somewhere around sixth on the INCI — with charcoal powder a few ingredients later. I have no idea what level of charcoal powder is effective for skin — but it sure is messy.
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If you manage oily skin from day to day, The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is ideal as a weekly or bi-weekly treatment that can help flush out pores and moderate sebum production.
Psst…if you’re curious, you can catch the #messyaf Salicylic Acid 2% Masque in action on my YouTube channel here.
I love this little messy mask on #selfcaresunday almost as much as I love tacos on Taco Tuesday. They both refresh mind, body and spirit…
What I like about it: The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is one of my favorite masks for rebooting my complexion. It’s the ideal blend of decongesting clays and pore-refining Salicylic Acid. Glycerin and Squalane soothe, hydrate and moisturize skin. I love how bright and clear my skin looks right after using it.
What I don’t like about it: It’s just so damn messy. Do we really need the charcoal powder?! I’d be down for an alternate version: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Charcoal Powder-Free Masque?
Who it’s for: All skin types, especially oily and acne-prone skin.
SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque for $6.50 here.
Best Products From The Ordinary
The Ingredient List of The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Masque:
col|abrasive/scrub 0 0, Squalane sii|emo 0 1, Glycerin 
sii|h 0 0, Dimethyl Isosorbide solv|vc, Silica Cetyl Silylate vc, Salicylic Acid exf|aacne|so|pres, Sodium Polyacrylate vc, Pentylene Glycol solv|h, Charcoal Powder abrasive/scrub, 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol so|cci, Sclerotium Gum vc, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum vc, Phytic Acid chel, Polysorbate 20 emu|surf 0 0, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate chel, Chlorphenesin pres|amic, Phenoxyethanol presWATCH MY VIDEO REVIEW OF
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