Glowness 2% BHA Serum vs The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution

Both are leave-on serums with 2% salicylic acid. Glowness comes in 50 ml, made for oily and combination skin*, with chamomile, calendula, aloe vera, D-panthenol and horse chestnut. The Ordinary's comes in 30 ml, is described by the brand as a water-based serum suited to oily skin, with saccharide isomerate as its other key ingredient, and is used once daily in the evening.

Side by side

	Glowness 2% BHA Serum	The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Salicylic acid (BHA)	2%, plant-derived	2%
Format	Leave-on serum	Leave-on water-based serum
Size	50 ml	30 ml
How often	Once a day (evening) for the first week, then twice daily if skin feels comfortable	Once daily, in the evening
Skin types named by the brand	Oily and combination skin	Oily skin
Other key ingredients	Chamomile and calendula extracts, aloe vera juice, D-panthenol, horse chestnut seed extract; niacinamide is in the full list	Saccharide isomerate
Where to buy	glowness.co.uk and Amazon UK	theordinary.com and other retailers

The Ordinary column is from its Salicylic Acid 2% Solution product page (https://theordinary.com/en-gb/salicylic-acid-2-solution-exfoliator-100619.html), read on 12 October 2026 and checked again on 13 October 2026. The Ordinary notes that its formulas are updated from time to time, so check the brand's page and the pack before you buy.

What they have in common

Both are leave-on serums with 2% salicylic acid.
Both are used in the evening, after cleansing and before moisturiser.
With either, wear SPF in the daytime: BHA can make skin more likely to burn in the sun.

How to choose between them

Size: 50 ml or 30 ml. Compare the price per ml, not only the price per bottle.
Ingredients: read both full lists and pick the one that suits you.
Routine: use one BHA exfoliant at a time, not both.

Frequently asked questions

Are they the same strength?

Yes. Both contain 2% salicylic acid.

Which one is better?

Neither is better for everyone. They share the active ingredient and differ in size and the other ingredients, so choose by those.

Which is bigger?

Glowness is 50 ml; The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is 30 ml.

Do I need SPF with either?

Yes. Wear SPF in the daytime when you use a BHA exfoliant.

The Glowness 2% BHA Serum (50 ml) is a leave-on exfoliant with 2% plant-derived salicylic acid, made for oily and combination skin*.

*Based on a 28-day dermatologist-assessed study of 20 women aged 18-35 when used as part of a skincare routine. Individual results may vary.