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Last Updated on September 14, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

best the ordinary products for acne

I lost count of how many of you have emailed me in the past few months asking me how to use The Ordinary anti-acne products. I get it. They’re so cheap, you want to get ALL of them. And then you end up with a 10 steps routine that takes all morning to put on. Like that weren’t bad enough, when you throw too much at your acne, you dry it out and make it worse. Ugh.

Fighting acne isn’t about getting ALL of the products. It’s about getting the right products for your skin and make the most of them. This quick guide to The Ordinary anti-acne skincare products will help you figure out what products you need, when to use them and how to fit them into your skincare routine.

Short answer: The best The Ordinary product for acne depends on what kind of breakouts you’re dealing with. Salicylic Acid 2% Solution is my first pick for clogged pores, blackheads and whiteheads. Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a better choice if you’re dealing with breakouts AND the dark marks they leave behind. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% can help with excess oil, but it isn’t a replacement for a proper acne treatment. Got one angry pimple ruining your day? That’s where Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate comes in.

You definitely don’t need them all. Let’s see what you should get and how to use them:

What Are The Best The Ordinary Products For Acne?

If you’re dealing with… Best The Ordinary product Why
Blackheads, whiteheads + clogged pores Salicylic Acid 2% Solution Gets inside pores and helps clear congestion
Acne + dark marks Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Helps acne, inflammation and post-acne pigmentation
Very oily skin Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Helps reduce excess oil and supports the skin barrier
Individual angry pimples Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate Targeted spot treatment
Acne treatments are drying out your skin Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan Lightweight hydration without adding another active
You want the simplest routine possible The Clear Set Cleanser + salicylic acid + moisturiser
the ordinary salicylic acid 2 solution

Best For Blackheads And Clogged Pores: The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution ($6.70)

Listen, girl. I don’t care if The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner is the IT exfoliant of the moment. It’s not for you. Acne-prone skin needs salicylic acid. Period. Here’s why:

What it is: This solution is leave-in exfoliant with salicylic acid, an oil-soluble exfoliating acid that removes all the dead cells and excess oil stuck in your pores. It also exfoliates the surface of your skin (so dead cells can’t fall into the pores in the first place) and has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe redness and irritations.

Why it’s good for acne: Acne happens when pores become clogged with excess oil and dead skin cells, setting the stage for inflammation and the growth of C. acnes. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, so it gets inside your pores and helps remove the gunk clogging them. That’s why it’s the best exfoliant for blackheads, whiteheads and congested skin.

When to use it: Salicylic acid is gentle. You can use it in the morning or evening right after cleansing. If you’re new to exfoliating acids or your skin gets irritated easily, start with two nights a week and build up to every other night from there.

Side effects: Like all exfoliants, it can irritate skin if used too often. It can also increase sun sensitivity, so sunscreen during the day is a must.

What About The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Anhydrous Solution?

Same concentration of salicylic acid. Different base. The Anhydrous Solution ($7.50) is water-free and more emollient than the regular Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, so it may be a better option if you want salicylic acid but find traditional exfoliating serums too drying. You still don’t need both.

Note: The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% has salicylic acid too, but I DON’T recommend it. Acne-prone skin is very delicate. Don’t inflame it more with a harsh exfoliant.

Related: Why Salicylic Acid Is Key To Keeping Oily Skin Spot-Free

What About The Ordinary Retinol And Retinal For Acne?

The Ordinary has about a million retinoids because apparently choosing skincare wasn’t confusing enough already. And yes, retinoids are brilliant for acne. But there’s a catch. The retinoids with the strongest evidence for treating acne are things like adapalene, tretinoin, tazarotene and trifarotene. The Ordinary’s Retinol 0.2%, 0.5%, 1% and Retinal 0.2% Emulsion are not the same thing.

Can they still help your skin? Sure. Retinol and retinal speed up cell turnover, so they may help keep pores clearer, smooth texture and fade the marks acne leaves behind. But if acne is your main problem, I wouldn’t buy one of these and assume you’re getting the same thing as adapalene or tretinoin. You’re not.

If you’re already using a prescription retinoid or adapalene? Please don’t add another retinoid on top because more must be better. Your face does not need that kind of chaos. If you’re totally new to retinoids, though, I’d start with The Ordinary Retinal Emulsion ($14.90) or The Ordinary 0.2% Retinol in Squalane ($8.10) and build my way up to the 1% version ($9.90). Start with using them once or twice a week in the evening and slowly increase frequency to every other night.

Related: The Ultimate Guide To The Ordinary Retinoid Products: Which One Should You Choose?

Best For Oily, Acne-Prone Skin: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (%6.00)

Niacinamide is the new skincare superhero on the block. Zinc is its Robin. Here’s why:

What it is: A serum with niacinamide and zinc. Duh! Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that treats acne, soothes inflammation and brightens the skintone. Zinc can help regulate oil production.

Why it’s good for acne: Neither niacinamide nor zinc are treatments for acne because they can’t kill the bacteria that cause it. But they can calm down inflammation, the underlying cause of acne. When bacteria infects your skin, your immune system kicks into gear, triggering inflammation to remove the threat. This serum brings the inflammation down a notch or two. Plus, niacinamide can help treat post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation (the dark spots pimples leave behind) while zinc reduces oil and shine.

When to use it: You can use it both morning and/or evening after cleansing/exfoliation but before moisturiser.

Side effects: If your skin’s dry, it will be too drying for you. This product is strictly for oily skin that produces too much sebum and no one else.

Related: How To Fade Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% ($12.20)

If you’re not a fan of harsh treatments like benzoyl peroxide (The Ordinary isn’t either), azelaic acid is a great alternative. It’s suitable for sensitive skin, too.

What it is: A light cream with azelaic acid, an acid your skin’s microbiome (the good bacteria that live on your skin) naturally produce. It has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-keratinising properties (anti-keratinising means it prevents build up of dead cells in the pores).

Why it’s good for acne: Oh, let me count the ways… it kills the bacteria P. Acnes. It reduces the inflammation that triggers acne. And it keeps the pores clean from all the crap P. Acnes likes to munch on. Study after study shows that it’s as effective at treating acne as harsher treatments, including benzoyl peroxide, tretinoin and accutane. The catch? There’s one important caveat. Most studies used 15% and 20% formulations, not The Ordinary’s 10% cosmetic suspension. So I wouldn’t tell you The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is equivalent to prescription-strength azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide or tretinoin. But if you have mild breakouts, redness and post-acne marks, it’s still one of the best. products in The Ordinary range. Oh, and unlike most acne ingredients, it’s safe during pregnancy too.

When to use it: You can use it morning and/or night. If you’re also using The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, I’d separate them rather than throw both at your skin at once. For example, azelaic acid in the morning and salicylic acid at night.

Side effects: Although rare, it can cause irritations in some people.

Related: Azelaic Acid VS Salicylic Acid For Acne: Which One Should You Choose?

Best For Individual Pimples: The Ordinary Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate ($9.90)

Got one big, red, angry pimple? This is where sulfur is way better than slathering another acid all over your face.

What it is: A spot treatment with 10% sulfur. It comes out as a powder and turns creamy as you rub it into your skin.

Why it’s good for acne: Sulfur is a bit of an acne multitasker. It helps get rid of the dead skin cells clogging your pores AND has antibacterial properties, too. On my skin, sulfur works faster than anything else I’ve tried. 

When to use it: Dab a little directly onto the pimple after cleansing two or three times a day.

Side effects: Sulfur can dry out and irritate skin. If you’re already throwing salicylic acid, retinoids and benzoyl peroxide at your face, don’t go wild with this too.

The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser ($12.50)

Here’s the thing about cleansers for acne: they don’t need to treat acne. That’s what your salicylic acid, azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinoid is for. Your cleanser needs to get the excess oil, sunscreen, makeup and general daily grime off your face without leaving your skin feeling like you washed it with Fairy Liquid. The Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser does that. If you need a gentle cleanser for your acne-prone skin, this is worth a try.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan ($6.50)

Yes, oily and acne-prone skin still needs moisturiser. And no, moisturiser doesn’t automatically clog pores and give you more spots. In fact, if your acne routine includes retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or anything else that’s drying your skin out, a moisturiser is essential.

The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan is a lightweight gel with a whole bunch of water-grabbing ingredients, including beta-glucan, glycerin, sodium PCA, urea, sodium hyaluronate and amino acids, plus barrier-supporting lipids. In plain English: lots of hydration without a heavy oily cream sitting on your face. And that’s what your skin needs right now.

What About Rosehip Oil?

Can you use it? Yep. Will it clear your acne? I wouldn’t count on it. Rosehip oil gets a lot of love for acne because acne-prone skin can have lower levels of linoleic acid and rosehip seed oil happens to be packed with linoleic acid. Even better, one small double-blind study found that applying linoleic acid reduced microcomedones by almost 25% in one month. Interesting? Hell, yes. Proof that rosehip oil itself treats acne? Nope. So I still see rosehip oil and squalane as moisturisers, not acne treatments. If your skin loves them, use them. Just don’t expect them to evict your spots.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Rosehip Oil In Skincare

Putting It All Together: The Ordinary Anti-Acne Skincare Routine

You do NOT need all the products above. I know they’re cheap. Your face still only has one skin barrier. Here’s how I’d pick the best The Ordinary products for acne:

  • Blackheads, whiteheads and clogged pores? Salicylic acid. It’s still my first choice because it helps unclog pores, which nothing else does.
  • Got acne AND dark marks? Add azelaic acid.
  • Very oily? Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% can help.
  • Got one big, angry pimple? Sulfur. On my skin, nothing works faster.
  • Skin getting dry? Get a moisturiser, not another bloody active.
  • Already using adapalene, tretinoin or another acne retinoid? You don’t need a The Ordinary retinol too.
  • Using prescription acne treatment? Don’t ditch it for The Ordinary.

If I Had £25 To Build A The Ordinary Acne Routine, Here’s What I’d Buy

AM:

  • Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
  • Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (optional)
  • Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (optional)
  • Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Glucan
  • Sunscreen

PM:

  • Glucoside Foaming Cleanser
  • Salicylic Acid 2% Solution (every other night, alternative with a retinoid)
  • Natural Moisturizing Factors + Beta Gluca

Got one random monster pimple? Dab Sulfur 10% Powder-to-Cream Concentrate on it.

And if your skin starts burning, peeling or generally screaming at you to STOP? Stop. More acne treatments ≠ faster results.

Where To Buy

The Ordinary products are available at Cult Beauty, Sephora, The Ordinary, and Ulta

The Bottom Line

There you have it, the best The Ordinary products for acne and a basic routine too. You can remove/add other stuff as your skin needs. If you’re already using a prescription acne treatment, build your routine around that rather than replacing it with The Ordinary. If you’ve found a cleanser, moisturiser or sunscreen you love, you don’t need to switch just to make your routine 100% The Ordinary. You get the drill.