
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Benefits
Promise: Anti-blemish
What does the product description say?
AHAs are known to exfoliate skin at the surface, leaving skin brighter and more even, while BHAs combat congested pores to improve blemishes and radiance.
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: glycolic acid
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
salicylic acid | HIGH | ||
glycolic acid | MEDIUM |
Promise: Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Many find that continued use of this product leads to a reduction in the appearance of fine lines.
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
glycolic acid | HIGH | ||
lactic acid | MEDIUM |
Promise: Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
THE ORDINARY AHA 30% + BHA 2% PEELING SOLUTION Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA) exfoliate the skin's topmost surface for a brighter and more even appearance.
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid, salicylic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
glycolic acid | HIGH | ||
salicylic acid | LOW | ||
lactic acid | HIGH |
Promise: Exfoliation
What does the product description say?
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid, salicylic acid.
Ingredient | Effectiveness | Concentration | Irritancy |
---|---|---|---|
glycolic acid | HIGH | ||
salicylic acid | HIGH | ||
tartaric acid | MEDIUM |
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
Promise | Can it deliver? |
---|---|
Anti-aging | |
Exfoliation | |
Evens skin tone | |
Anti-blemish |
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Potential irritants

Ingredient | Irritancy | Skin Benefit |
---|---|---|
glycolic acid | ||
cocamidopropyl dimethylamine | ||
salicylic acid |
Similar products & dupes
The Ordinary - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | Beauty Drops - AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling | Paula's choice - 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel Full Size | CeraVe - Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone Skin | B. Kamins - Lactic-10 | The Purest Solutions - Exfoliating Facial Peeling AHA %10 + BHA %2 | Dr Dennis Gross - Alpha Beta Glow Pad Self Tanner For Face | Dr. Dennis Gross | Clinique - Clarifying Do-Over Peel | REVOLUTION SKINCARE - Multi Acid Peeling Solution | EmerginC - Triple-Threat Peel | ARIUL - Daily Pick Peeling Pads | |
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WIMJ similarity score | 88% | 83% | 83% | 81% | 80% | 79% | 78% | 77% | 76% | 76% | |
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Irritancy | ![]() IRRITANCY
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Ingredients & concentrations
- salicylic acid
- glycolic acid
- lactic acid
- panthenol
- glycerin
- sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer
- tartaric acid
- +3 more
Ingredient | Estimated concentration |
---|---|
22% - 33% | |
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid | |
12% - 18% | |
Plain old water | |
5.1% - 7.7% | |
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but data on its effectiveness is lacking. While the majority of the content is plain water, it can contain some goodies like vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and humectants that help attract water into the skin | |
3.5% - 5.3% | |
Used to adjust the product's pH | |
2.4% - 3.6% | |
1.9% - 2.9% | |
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin | |
1.5% - 2.3% | |
Helps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating | |
2%
Declared
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Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) | |
1.2% - 1.8% | |
1% - 1.45% | |
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome) | |
0.8% - 1.25% | |
An AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid). It oxidizes quickly which makes it less effective in skincare formulations. It can support skin's barrier and moisture levels | |
0.5% - 1.2% | |
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH | |
0.5% - 1.15% | |
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function | |
0.45% - 1.05% | |
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin | |
0.4% - 1% | |
0.4% - 0.95% | |
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant | |
0.4% - 0.95% | |
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture | |
0.2% - 0.75% | |
Used to create a thicker product consistency | |
0.2% - 0.7% | |
Helps oil and water mix together | |
0.1% - 0.45% | |
Used to improve stability of the formulation | |
0.1% - 0.35% | |
A preservative | |
0.1% - 0.35% | |
A preservative | |
0.05% - 0.25% | |
A preservative | |
0.05% - 0.25% | |
A preservative | |
0.1% - 0.35% | |
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture | |
Show more |
Sources
- Photoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of topical glycolic acid
- Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current review
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Occupational contact allergy to cocamidopropyl betaine and its impurities
- Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review
- Beta Hydroxy Acids
- A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparations
- Glycolic Acid Peels Versus Salicylic–Mandelic Acid Peels in Active Acne Vulgaris and Post‐Acne Scarring and Hyperpigmentation: A Comparative Study
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Control of keratinization with á-hydroxy acids and related compounds: I. Topical treatment of ichthyotic disorders
- Method of treating wrinkles using tartaric acid
- Impact of the condition of storage of tartaric acid solutions on the production and stability of glyoxylic acid
- Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulations
- Safety Assessment of Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid, and Derivatives as Used in Cosmetics
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions