The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Resurfacing + Exfoliating Peeling Solution
Works for
ExfoliationGlycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 2 moreWorks well
“AHA 30% + BHA 2% Resurfacing + Exfoliating 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.
Evens skin toneGlycolic acid, Salicylic acid + 1 moreWorks well
“An exfoliating facial that combines the power of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHA) to improve skin texture, reduce pore congestion, and address uneven skin tone.”
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.
Anti-blemishSide benefit the brand mentions · Salicylic acid, Glycolic acidWorks well
“reduce pore congestion”
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
Anti-agingSide benefit · Glycolic acid, Lactic acidWorks well
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit · Panthenol, Tartaric acid + 6 moreWorks well
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Tartaric acidMay help
This product contains antioxidants (tartaric acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is some human evidence for this effect in skin, though it is smaller or less consistent than the evidence for the best antioxidants.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Glycolic acidMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Glycolic acid~22–33%
- Irritation risk
- High
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
More about Glycolic acidWater~12–18%
Aloe barbadensis leaf water~5.1–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf waterSodium hydroxide~3.5–5.3%
Daucus carota sativa extract~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Propanediol~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCocamidopropyl dimethylamine~1.5–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can work as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating
More about Cocamidopropyl dimethylamineSalicylic acid~0.95–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
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)
More about Salicylic acidPotassium citrate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Lactic acid~1–1.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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)
More about Lactic acidTartaric acid~0.8–1.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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
More about Tartaric acidCitric acid~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPanthenol~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolSodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.45–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerTasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Glycerin~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPentylene glycol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolXanthan gum~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumPolysorbate 20~0.2–0.7%
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinatePotassium sorbate~0.1–0.35%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.35%
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
1,2-hexanediol~0.05–0.25%
Caprylyl glycol~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolIngredient list view
Glycolic acid, Water, Aloe barbadensis leaf water, Sodium hydroxide, Daucus carota sativa extract, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl dimethylamine, Salicylic acid, Potassium citrate, Lactic acid, Tartaric acid, Citric acid, Panthenol, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| The OrdinaryAHA 30% + BHA 2% Resurfacing + Exfoliating Peeling SolutionYOUR PRODUCT | Beauty DropsAHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling | Deviant SkincareGentle Resurfacing Liquid | CliniqueClarifying Do-Over Peel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 87% | 83% |
| Price | — | — | $52.00 | $21.37 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 7 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 7 |
| Key difference | — | Sodium Hyaluronate | Gluconolactone | Lactobionic Acid |
| Irritancy | Medium | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: CeraVe Blemish Control Gel Moisturiser with 2% Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide for Blemish-Prone SkinDr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Intense Glow Pads for Face
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3
- 4
- 5Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
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