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

The Ordinary's AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution can be helpful in improving skin texture and tone. While only recommended to be used twice per week, its powerful ingredients work wonders for your skin.

To see if this product is a fit for you, below is our detailed review on this fan favorite product.

Key Takeaways

• The Ordinary's Peeling Solution is an abrasive and intense exfoliating peel meant to chemically slough dead skin.
• The solution has an acid-packed formula, including several AHAs + BHAs
• The peeling solution likely works on skin very quickly but is to be used with caution, due to its high concentration of acids.

The Ordinary Peeling Solution

AHA AND BHA EXFOLIATING SERUM

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

This peeling solution is one of the best The Ordinary products, particularly for those looking for a high-strength but budget-friendly at-home peel.

Skin types: Normal to Oily Skin

Best for: Improving Skin Texture and Tone

Tested on animals: No

How to use: Cleanse the skin, and wait for it to fully dry. Once dry, apply the peel evenly over the face and neck. Leave on for up to 10 minutes, and rinse with lukewarm water.

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Why we picked it

This peel offers a range of benefits, thanks to a high concentration of alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acid), as well as an effective concentration of beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid). The AHAs help to exfoliate the top layer of the skin to reduce the signs of aging, improve texture, and minimize hyperpigmentation, while BHA unclogs pores for a clear complexion.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Oil-free
• Alcohol-free
• Vegan and cruelty-free

Cons

• High probability of irritation (best used by those experienced with acids)

Details

This peel contains ingredients to help counteract irritation, including Tasmanian pepperberry and vitamin B5. However, this peel is still very strong for an over-the-counter product, and is best suited for those who already have experience using chemical exfoliators in their routine.

The Ordinary Peeling Solution Overview

Perhaps one of the recognizable products of DECIEM's The Ordinary line with its blood red formula and tingling viscosity, The Ordinary's Peeling Solution is a ten minute exfoliating mask which acts as like a chemical peel.

Overall, it can help resurface the uppermost layer of skin. Ultimately improving skin texture and clearing pores, for a more even and glowing complexion.

Claims

This solution makes many claims, starting with its exfoliation.

1. Brighter and More Even Skin

According to their product description, the 30% AHA + BHA 2% Peeling Solution will exfoliate the skin through AHAs and BHAs for "for a brighter and more even appearance" and "help clear pore congestion."

2. Better Texture and Improved Fine Lines

It also claims the peeling solution will "help fight visible blemishes and for improved skin radiance."

The description continues: "The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture and reduces the look of fine lines with continued use."

3. Reduce Inflammation

The product description also adds the formula has healing ingredients, meant to reduce inflammation caused by the peeling solution.

"This formula contains a studied Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative to help reduce irritation associated with acid use.

This formula is further supported with a crosspolymer form of hyaluronic acid for comfort, Vitamin B5 to assist healing and black carrot as an antioxidant."

Key Ingredients

• Glycolic Acid: The main acid featured, this AHA helps to shed dead skin cells and is known to aid in renewing the skin
• Lactic Acid: An AHA which helps with anti-aging
• Salicylic Acid: A BHA, which helps to clear blackheads and blemishes by exfoliating the pores

How to Use

• After cleansing the face and letting it dry completely
• Next apply a thin, even layer of The Ordinary's Peeling Solution to skin. Avoid the eye area.
• After a maximum of ten minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
• Follow up with hydrating serums or thick moisturizer.

It can be used up to twice a week but no more than that.

Things To Know

Like other peels, this peel should be followed by sunscreen the next day or if going out into the sun the same day. The best time to utilize this peel would be the fall and/or winter, to reduce the time spent out in the sun.

The Ordinary recommends users wear protective clothing and to limit sun exposure while using this product and the week after.

The Ordinary also recommends this mask for people who are already accustomed to abrasive exfoliation, writing the product is “only suitable for experienced users of acid exfoliation.” It is not recommended to those with sensitive skin.

What to Expect

When The Ordinary's Peeling Solution is used, the user should expect a tingle in the skin as it works to exfoliate dead skin cells. After one use, users can expect a less congested complexion and smoother texture.

When used consistently, The Ordinary's Peeling Solution should promote an even skin tone and complexion (if used with the proper sun and skin barrier protection) with less dark spots, less blackheads and less texture.

FAQs

The Bottom Line

The Ordinary's Peeling Solution is a 10 minute exfoliation mask that can improve skin texture and brightness. With its high concentration of acids, it will slough the skin of dead skin cells and debris from pores.

Glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and tartaric acid lift and remove dead skin while the BHA, salicylic acid works to exfoliate debris from pores.

With built in relief from its soothing agents and antioxidants, it does do some work to limit the damage done by such an intense peel.

That being said, it is not a solution to take lightly and should be used with caution. If not used with caution, it can do a lot more harm than good, like damaging the skin barrier.