AC
AGreat
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a exfoliating scrubs & peeling gel. Our analysis of its 25 ingredients (20 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a exfoliating scrubs & peeling gel. Our analysis of its 25 ingredients (20 low-risk) rates it Excellent (95/100). Based on its ingredients, it looks well-suited to oily / acne-prone skin.
Summarised from our ingredient analysis — not brand marketing copy.
The evidence
Dry Skin
4/6
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
1/0
Sensitive Skin
2/8
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1
|
A
|
1,2-Hexanediol
(Solvent) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Panthenol
(Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning) |
Good for Dry Skin
|
4
|
B
|
Glycolic Acid
(Exfoliant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
1
|
|
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
(Humectant, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Ethylhexylglycerin
(Deodorant, Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Xanthan Gum
(Binding Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Skin Conditioning, Surfactant Emulsifying Agent, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Binding, Gel Forming, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
1
|
|
Water
(Solvent) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Caprylyl Glycol
(Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Emollient, Humectant) |
|
|
2
|
A
|
Glycerin
(Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care Agent, Oral Health Care Drug, Skin Protecting, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Perfuming, Solvent) |
Good for Dry Skin
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
1
|
|
Tartaric Acid
(Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
1
|
|
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
(Chelating Agent) |
|
|
4
|
B
|
Salicylic Acid
(Antiacne Agent, Antidandruff Agent, Corn/Callus/Wart Remover, Denaturant, Exfoliant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Skin Conditioning, Keratolytic, Masking, Preservative) |
Good for Oily Skin
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
1
|
A
|
Pentylene Glycol
(Skin Conditioning, Solvent) |
|
|
1
|
A
|
Potassium Citrate
(Buffering Agent, Chelating Agent, Ph Adjuster) |
|
|
1
|
|
Propanediol
(Solvent, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Viscosity Controlling) |
|
|
2
|
A
|
Citric Acid
(Chelating Agent, Fragrance, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent, Masking) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
2
|
|
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
(Antistatic Agent, Emulsifying, Hair Conditioning, Surfactant) |
|
|
3
|
A
|
Sodium Benzoate
(Fragrance, Preservative, Anticorrosive, Masking) |
|
|
3
|
B
|
Sodium Hydroxide
(Denaturant, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent) |
|
|
3
|
A
|
Potassium Sorbate
(Fragrance, Preservative) |
|
|
3
|
B
|
Polysorbate 20
(Emulsifying, Surfactant) |
Fungal Acne Trigger
|
|
4
|
B
|
Lactic Acid
(Exfoliant, Fragrance, Humectant, Ph Adjuster, Skin Conditioning Agent Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Buffering Agent) |
Bad for Sensitive Skin
|
|
1
3
|
B
|
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
(Masking) |
Good for Sensitive Skin
|
|
|
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract
(Skin Conditioning) |
|
|
|
|
Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Extract |
No personal ingredient notes yet. Save ingredients to your profile to get good/bad alerts here.
How to use
General guidance from this product's category and active ingredients — always follow the directions on the package.
Trust & honesty
Contains ingredients some choose to avoid or double-check while pregnant or nursing.
Low-strength topical salicylic acid (BHA) is generally considered fine. Caution is usually reserved for high-strength leave-on products and salicylic peels.
This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy guidance varies and depends on concentration and your individual situation — always check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist. How we flag this.
The concentrations these actives are typically effective at in research — not a measurement of this product.
Salicylic acid is OTC-capped at 2%; 0.5–2% is the usual leave-on range. Much below that it acts more as a soothing agent than an exfoliant.
Salicylic Acid
OTC leave-on AHAs are usually 5–10%. The effect also depends on pH and free-acid value, not the percentage alone.
Glycolic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Lactic Acid
INCI lists don't disclose amounts, and we don't claim to know this product's levels — these are the ranges these ingredients are usually effective at, so you can tell a real formula from "fairy-dusting" a marketed active. How we estimate this.
From the community
Used this product? Rate it in 10 seconds
10 reviews restored from our original community.
Conocí este peeling no hace mucho tiempo, llevo meses utilizándolo y los resultados son espectaculares. Hay que seguir las instrucciones al pie de la letra o le harás daño a tu piel. Es una maravilla. Es una mascarilla exfoliante. Lo recomendaría usar dos veces al mes, todo el mundo habla de que si es demasiado fuerte para pieles sensibles, desde mi piel que es sensible no he notado sensilidad ni rojez ni nada, quizás un poco pero es normal son ácidos. En la piel yo lo puedo soportar 10 minut...
I used this twice a week for a few months and it had a wonderful effect. After the purging period was over, my closed comedones almost completely disappeared. I used it in conjunction with the glycolic acid toner. Personally I don't use it anymore because I think it has done it's job, and now I use the toner to maintain the results. I'd recommend this to anyone starting out and who has a really bad case of the CCs like I had. It's quite strong and purging will definitely happen but I think it...
I love using this strong mask! It's a very good price and a bottle will last me at least 4 months. I use it once a week for 10 minutes. It's a bit too strong for sensitive skin and can make my forehead shiny for up to 24 hours afterwards. I make sure to use a lot of moisturiser afterwards and SPF50+ in the AM. 1 of 7 1 of 7 Community Collections with "The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution" Skincare 14 products erikaburgos
It does its job, making the skin fresh-looking, beautiful, removing the old skin cells. I enjoy this product, I didn't need it very often. I enjoyed its scent due to its relaxing fruity scent. This product feels high quality with great results over those winter months. Instead of using a toner, I used this to remove the extra skin with its oil. Now my skin is pure, glowing, and every time I use it, I receive compliments.
this is my second bottle buy this serum. disclaimer, i have acne skin with combination to oily face on my T Zone. when i use this, the day before i have some acne that still trap on my skin and when it still red, after use this in the morning my acne make a quick process when the acne pop up with the white head. after use this your skin look more glow and smoth. for oily skin, i think it makes your skin tight.
THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER. all the bad reviews are from people who didn't read the instructions. just wash your face then dry it completely. AND PUT ON AN EXTREMELY THIN LAYER OF THE MASK WITHOUT LETTING THE PLASTIC PUMP TOUCH UR FACE. wait 9 minutes then wash it off and use face moisturizing lotions
it has really helped me with the bumps i had on my forehead and on my chin, although it has taken some time, and one should be careful to use it according to the instructions in order to no t harm one's skin
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