The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · Face Reality
$31 · 6 oz
A clearing toner with salicylic acid, white willow bark, niacinamide and L-ascorbic acid in an alcohol base.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
The Ordinary
The Ordinary
Adds: Niacinamide
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Sal-C Toner into 4 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
The clearing active. Strength is not published, so a 2% BHA is a fair stand-in, not a confirmed match.
Niacinamide has lowered facial sebum in a controlled study at 2%.
Antioxidant; stability in a toner is not documented.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
A mild polyhydroxy acid.
Optional
64 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
82 is our ceiling. Salicylic acid has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 75% credit. L-ascorbic acid has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 50% credit.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total ~$6.70
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Running total ~$12.70
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
The Ordinary
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Why it is close. The Ordinary 2% salicylic acid solution at $6.70. The same core active, nothing else.
Naturium
Why it is close. A 2% salicylic acid liquid at $18.99 for 4 oz. It has the BHA but not the niacinamide or vitamin C.
Not an affiliate link.
The Ordinary
Why it is close. The Ordinary niacinamide and zinc serum at $6. Covers the oil-control side only; pair it with a BHA.
The Ordinary
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowThe Ordinary
The Ordinary
Adds: Niacinamide
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowThe Ordinary
Naturium
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
No gain nowNaturium
Salicylic acid and nicotinamide were reviewed against acne in a Cochrane analysis of 49 trials.
Liu 2020 · Cochrane Database Syst Rev2% niacinamide lowered facial sebum excretion at 2 and 4 weeks.
Draelos 2006 · J Cosmet Laser Theraqua (water), alcohol denat., glycerin, propylene glycol, polysorbate 20, gluconolactone, salicylic acid, niacinamide, benzyl alcohol, sodium benzoate, caprylhydroxamic acid, benzoic acid, salix alba (willow) bark extract, panthenol, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene
We split Sal-C Toner into 4 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 64 of a possible 82. 82 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution by The Ordinary is our closest single-product match at 34 out of 100 for ~$6.70 (30 ml). It shares Salicylic acid.
Sal-C Toner costs $31 for 6 oz. The closest dupe costs ~$6.70, a saving of about $24.30. Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Niacinamide, L-ascorbic acid. See our methodology for how we score.
SkinBetter Science · cleanser
~$29.35our build, 3 partsOriginal ~$60, build ~$29.35.
CeraVe + The Ordinary + Minimalist
SkinBetter Science · cleanser
~$29.35our build, 3 partsOriginal ~$48, build ~$29.35.
CeraVe + Minimalist + The Ordinary
SkinBetter Science · exfoliant
~$37our build, 4 partsOriginal $125, build ~$37.
The Ordinary