The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Review

The Ordinary is a popular skin care brand under the global beauty brand, Deciem’s, umbrella. Created to offer effective, clinical solutions at an affordable price tag, The Ordinary features a cohesive collection of treatments to meet the most common skin care needs. Since its launch, The Ordinary has gained a loyal customer base of users who not only love The Ordinary skin care products , but also appreciate the brand’s commitment to transparency. In this review, we are going to focus on The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. We’ll discuss what it is, the key ingredients, how to use it, reviews from real customers, and more.

What is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a 10 minute exfoliating facial that should only be used by experienced users of acid exfoliation. It is said to offer deep exfoliation to help fight visible blemishes, as well as improve skin radiance, texture, and signs of aging. This treatment solution should only be used twice per week.

What Are The Key Ingredients in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?

As you can tell from the name, there are a total of 32% free acids in this formula: 30% alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and 2% beta hydroxy acids (BHA). Both of these types of hydroxy acids promote skin exfoliation, but let’s take a closer look at the differences between them.

The AHAs in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution include glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acid. The primary benefit of AHAs is their ability to exfoliate the skin by targeting corneocytes (dead skin cells that make up the stratum corneum) in a process called corneocyte desquamation. By enhancing their breakdown and increasing the separation of skin cells, the rate of cell turnover is increased, leading to smoother, brighter skin and a more even complexion. According to a publication in the journal Molecules, AHAs can be used to easily peel all types of skin with minimal risk.

The BHA in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid works by softening and dissolving keratin, a protein found in the skin that acts as a “glue” to keep cells together. This allows salicylic acid to exfoliate the skin and slough off dead skin cells. Salicylic acid also has the ability to penetrate deep into pores, where it helps to loosen clogs and allows oil to flow out more freely. Thus, salicylic acid is known to break down blackheads and whiteheads.

Since AHAs and BHAs have the potential to lead to irritation, The Ordinary has included a studied Tasmanian pepperberry derivative in this formula in order to help reduce irritation associated with acid use. The Tasmanian pepper shrub can be found in Southeastern Australia. It gets its name from its small, round, dark purple berries that look like black pepper when dried. Extracts from the berries contain polygodial, which is an anti-inflammatory component that soothes and calms reactive skin.

Lastly, The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution contains two hydrating ingredients: hyaluronic acid crosspolymer and vitamin B5 (panthenol). Hyaluronic acid is a type of glycosaminoglycan (sugar molecule) that attracts moisture from the environment and draws that moisture into the skin’s upper layers. In fact, hyaluronic acid has the ability to attract and hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Panthenol is a highly effective humectant, which means it has a molecular structure with several hydrophilic (water loving) groups. This structure allows humectants to attract and retain the moisture in the air nearby via absorption, drawing the water vapor into or beneath the surface of the skin. In addition to improving skin hydration, hyaluronic acid and panthenol can help give the skin a more plump appearance.

How to Use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Clean your face and wait for skin to dry (do not apply to wet skin). Apply The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution evenly across face and neck using fingertips, avoiding the eye area. Leave on for no more than 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes both during application and rinse off.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is intended to be used as a masque and, therefore, should not be left on for longer than 10 minutes. It is not recommended to use more than twice per week. Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration. If irritation occurs, cease use and consult a physician. Use only as directed on unbroken skin. Patch testing prior to use is advised.

The acids in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards.

Where is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Sold?

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and other skin care products by The Ordinary are sold on the brand’s website, as well as third party sellers like Amazon, Ulta, and Sephora. The brand has a store locator and list of authorized retailers on their website.

What is The Ordinary Return Policy?

All Deciem brands, including The Ordinary, offer a 365-day full refund policy.

Is The Ordinary Cruelty Free?

The Ordinary is cruelty free. DECIEM and The Ordinary do not test on animals and do not ask others to do so. For this reason, none of their brands or products are sold in stores or conventional retailers in mainland China, since such sales require animal testing for registration purposes.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Reviews

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive, with the product receiving an average rating of 9.1 out of 10 stars after more than 500 customer reviews.

Positive reviews for The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution are from customers who noticed positive changes in their skin after using this product, such as clear skin, increased firmness, and smoother texture. For example, one review says, “I’ve been using this product for around a year now, 2 times a week and I have definitely noticed a difference in my skin from using it, my skin is less likely to produce spots and feels a lot firmer. After I rinse off, my skin is left feeling soft and cleaner. Thank you The Ordinary, it is a wonderful product and I will continue to buy it!”

Interestingly, the few negative reviews for the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution are from customers who either didn’t see the results they were hoping for, or from those who did not think the product was strong enough. For example, one review says, “I got this product based on all the amazing reviews. Short answer: do I like it? Yeah. Do I love it? No. I think it DOES work, I just don’t think it is powerful enough for what I am looking for. I have extremely tough skin, I used to use direct pure 30% glycolic acid on my skin for 6 mins 2x a week. I could FEEL the sting, never broke out and my face felt clean (and I don’t break out with this product either). I find I am having to use this product 3x+ a week, 15-20 mins. I wish it was more potent. I will continue to use it because IT IS quality and I like the price point, but if you have extremely tough skin you may have to increase your usage and time.”

What Are Some Alternatives to The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?

There’s no need to compromise when it comes to finding skincare that’s effective and safe.

If you’re looking for effective skincare products that skip harmful toxins, one brand we recommend is Carrot & Stick.

Carrot & Stick is committed to creating plant-derived formulas that deliver extraordinary results without relying on toxic chemicals or standard preservatives.

Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the gentle nurturing of plants with innovative science.

We recommend this serum & moisturizer.

This $7 facial peel from The Ordinary is a steal — it evens my skin tone, and the bright red color makes it fun to use

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• The Ordinary’s AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a 10-minute exfoliating facial that uses 30% AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and 2% BHA (beta hydroxy acid) to improve your complexion’s tone, clarity, and texture.
• The formula is strong, and I’d recommend doing a patch test before putting it on sensitive skin, but it’s an effective facial for a bargain price.
• I’ve been using it for months, and though it’s one of the cheapest products I own at $7.20, it performs like more expensive options.
• Read more: 10 effective skincare products that use exfoliating acids to reduce acne and make your skin clearer, softer, and more even

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I’ve always loved a garish face mask: Goopy, bright, cathartically outrageous treatments are a physical manifestation of the self-indulgence that separates my self-care from my regular human upkeep.

But, as an adult, most of those “fun” products have been replaced with efficient, to-the-point iterations that are a better use of money, like moisturizers, cleansers, eye creams, and retinol treatments.

Recently, though, I’ve been using a product that marries results with a bit of fun: the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution ($7.20) from cult-favorite brand The Ordinary. It’s also probably the cheapest skincare product in my cabinet.

The AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a 10-minute exfoliating facial that uses 30% AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and 2% BHA (beta hydroxy acid) to combat blemishes and make the skin texture smoother and more radiant. It’s also blood-red, like a Vampire Facial. In my experience, it’s best for evening out the skin’s tone and texture and keeping blemishes at bay. For wrinkles or fine lines, you’ll get more bang for our buck if you spend your money on retinol.

What the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is like to use

To use the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, I washed my semi-sensitive combination skin with a gentle cleanser like Cetaphil and then patted it all dry. (This is a strong 10-minute acidic facial, so you’ll want to use gentle products before and after.) It’s also useful to note that, since damp skin draws the product deeper into the skin and the ingredients in this facial are acidic and may sting at first, I’d recommend being certain your face is totally dry before applying the formula and to avoid any open abrasions if you have them.

At first, it may feel fleetingly masochistic — the formula stings a bit for about 20 seconds before fading away. But, then the feeling is gone. The mask is the same color as a rich pomegranate, so you’ll find yourself explaining to roommates and friends over FaceTime why you look like you’re auditioning for a horror movie.

You can leave this mask on for up to 10 minutes, but I’d recommend doing a patch test before putting it on your face or starting with five minutes before you’re sure of how your skin will react.

After 10 minutes or less, rinse it off with lukewarm water and continue with your nighttime skincare routine. In general, you’ll want to use it at night and only twice per week at most.

Beauty Insider producer Celia Skvaril also tested the mask for a YouTube video, so I asked her more about her experience with it for this article. She says:

I’ve been struggling with a pretty bad hormonal acne breakout for a few months now and I have some pigment changing because of it. The Ordinary Peeling Solution worked incredibly for me! The microscope showed that it got rid of some blackheads I had, unclogged some pores, and got rid of the overall dryness on my pigment changes. I have used it quite a few times since and I love it!

The results

After washing it off, my pale combination skin stays red for probably 15 minutes. After that, my complexion becomes noticeably softer, smoother, and tighter. The next day, my skin tone also looks a little more even and surface scars from past acne seem a bit less severe.

With prolonged use, my complexion continually got smoother and more even, and I think my pores look a little smaller now. I also think it helped keep acne at bay, though I’ve also found retinol products like Differin are even more effective for my skin’s clarity.

How AHAs and BHAs work

Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) works by breaking down the glue holding your skin cells together, urging along the skin’s natural shedding process. The effects of AHAs are primarily on the skin’s surface, so they’re good at combatting concerns like red marks from past acne and hyperpigmentation.

BHAs are good for skin concerns like blackheads and whiteheads because BHAs penetrate deeper into the skin. While AHAs love water, BHAs love oil. They can bypass the oil that clogs pores and dissolve the mix of sebum and dead skin that leads to acne, as well as help stabilize the lining of the pore (which contributes to acne). You can learn more here.

Using both is a great one-two punch for dark spots, uneven or rough texture, and clogged pores. The sloughing away of dull, dead skin cells also helps facilitate new skin cells that look brighter, tighter, and healthier.

Cons to consider

My combination skin is somewhat sensitive, and I didn’t find this facial to be too harsh. But, that may not be the case for everyone. If you’re able, it’s a good idea to run new products by your dermatologist before trying them. If you’re looking for a different version, you can find a few different AHA and BHA options to consider here — though you’ll likely pay more.

I’d also be careful to only use this for its recommended 10 minutes once or twice per week. And, since it’s a powerful exfoliant, you’ll want to use sunscreen when you go outside to combat any photosensitivity.

The bottom line

The AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a cheap, powerful exfoliant that sloughs away dull skin cells and reveals a smoother, more evenly toned complexion. With regular use, I saw a noticeable improvement in my skin’s tone and texture and also some improvements in clarity. While my skin did seem tighter, I’d recommend spending your money on retinol products first if your main skin concerns are related to wrinkles. And if your skin is especially sensitive, you may want to ask your dermatologist about using this mask first.

Overall, it’s fun to use, effective at smoothing and evening my complexion, and while it may be one of the cheapest products in my bathroom cabinet, it performs like something more expensive.