The Ordinary
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Low risk75/100
The Ordinary
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Exfoliators
Some ingredients carry a low-risk flag. Read the formulation context before deciding.
12 of 12 ingredients rated
Is it suitable during pregnancy?
MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution as Low risk (75/100). Review the ingredient context and any manual-review explanation before deciding.
Why this rating?
The recorded formula includes 2 ingredient entries with risk flags: Salicylic Acid (Low risk), Phenoxyethanol (Low risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail.
12 of 12 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
How we assess productsIngredient breakdown
The recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.
Ingredient ratings and evidence
Higher-risk flags first. Open an ingredient for evidence.
Phenoxyethanol
Low risk
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative permitted in EU cosmetics up to 1.0%. The SCCS concluded it is safe for cosmetic use at that level, including when considering higher cosmetic exposure scenarios in infants and young children. Main practical concern is irritation/stinging on very sensitive or compromised skin rather than a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific risk.
Sources: SCCS/1575/16: Phenoxyethanol opinion https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/phenoxyethanol_en
Salicylic Acid
Low risk
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) used for acne, exfoliation and preservation. Common over-the-counter acne strengths are 0.5-2%, including 0.5%, 1% and 2%; the FDA lists this acne-treatment range. Pregnancy guidance distinguishes these topical products from oral salicylates and strong peels. MotherToBaby reports that ACOG allows over-the-counter topical salicylic acid during pregnancy when needed. Only a small amount of topical acne treatment usually reaches the bloodstream through intact skin; exposure can increase with damaged skin, frequent use or treatment of large areas. Direct salicylic-acid-specific pregnancy data remain limited. MamaSkin's Low Risk rating is a dose-and-use precaution, not evidence that ordinary low-strength skincare causes fetal harm or a recommendation to avoid every BHA product. Use as directed on limited areas of intact skin. Discuss strengths above 2%, chemical peels, wart/corn removers, large-area treatment or use under occlusion with your clinician before use during pregnancy. The American Academy of Dermatology specifically advises discussing and limiting higher-strength salicylic acid above 2%. Percentage alone does not establish safety: formulation, area, frequency and skin condition also matter. General cosmetic-use limits are not pregnancy-specific safety thresholds.
Sources: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/topical-acne-treatments-pregnancy/; https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/pregnancy-skin-care; https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/omuf/monographs/OTC%20Monograph_M006-Topical%20Acne%20drug%20products%20for%20OTC%20Human%20Use%2011.23.2021.pdf; https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/salicylic-acid-cas-no-69-72-7-ec-no-200-712-3_en; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500675/
Water
No known risks
Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.
Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en
Pentylene Glycol
No known risks
Humectant and preservative booster. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Saccharide Isomerate
No known risks
Humectant saccharide complex used to improve surface hydration and reduce transepidermal water loss. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Saccharide Humectants / Saccharide Isomerate, etc.; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Show all 12 ingredients
Glycerin
No known risks
Glycerin is a widely used humectant that supports hydration and the skin barrier, with a long safety record and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Isoceteth-20
No known risks
isoceteth-20 is used as a cosmetic surfactant, emulsifier or conditioning agent. Relevant cosmetic-safety assessments support use when formulated to be non-irritating and with appropriate impurity controls. Local skin or eye irritation is possible at higher concentrations, but no pregnancy-specific concern was identified for normal topical or rinse-off use.
Sources: CIR safety assessments of alkyl PEG ethers, N-acyl taurates, fatty amidopropyl amines and related cosmetic surfactants https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/taurat122015FR.pdf; CIR Quick Reference Table https://cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/QRT-Update-Dec2025.pdf
Xanthan Gum
No known risks
Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework
Citric Acid
No known risks
pH adjuster used in small amounts to maintain product stability. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Sodium Citrate
No known risks
Buffering and chelating ingredient used to control pH and formulation stability. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Citric Acid, Inorganic Citrate Salts, and Alkyl Citrate Esters as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Sodium Hydroxide
No known risks
pH adjuster used in very small quantities to balance formulations. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Chlorphenesin
No known risks
Preservative used to help protect formulas from microbial growth. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support present cosmetic use; no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical concern was identified in the material reviewed, although some users may still notice local irritation or sensitivity.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Chlorphenesin as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Full recorded ingredient list
Water, Pentylene Glycol, Saccharide Isomerate, Salicylic Acid, Glycerin, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin
Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.
Questions about this assessment
Why does The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution have a Low risk rating?
The recorded formula includes 2 ingredient entries with risk flags: Salicylic Acid (Low risk), Phenoxyethanol (Low risk). These are ingredient-level flags; they do not replace the stored product assessment or account for every formulation detail. The product score is a stored assessment, not a clinical safety guarantee.
Has every ingredient in The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution been assessed?
12 of 12 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
Does this assessment apply to my The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution?
Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.
Does this pregnancy assessment also establish breastfeeding suitability?
No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.
