The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution On your shelf ✓
Maya's readThe Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is an exfoliant built around Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid (BHA) and Glycerin. It leans strongest on hydration, barrier repair, oil-control & blemishes. Best suited to normal, oily and acne prone skin. Go slow — the active is potent enough to irritate if overused.
Skip it if your barrier is already sensitised or compromised — the acids can sting broken or over-exfoliated skin.
What it delivers
How it feels A middleweight lotion — enough to comfort without feeling heavy. — estimated from the formula
What's in it that matters
Small-molecule AHA that powerfully exfoliates and improves texture and tone but carries a higher irritation risk, especially at higher strengths.
Oil-soluble exfoliant that penetrates pores to reduce blackheads and breakouts; can be drying or irritating if overused.
Classic humectant with strong evidence for improving skin hydration and supporting barrier when combined with emollients.
AHA that provides gentle exfoliation and some humectant effect; generally milder than glycolic but still pH-dependent and potentially irritating.
Humectant and soothing ingredient that helps calm irritation and supports barrier repair and recovery.
Grape-derived AHA commonly used alongside other acids to support exfoliation and pH control rather than as a standalone hero active.
Key facts
- Type
- Exfoliant
- Key actives
- Glycolic acid 30%, Salicylic acid (BHA) 2%, Glycerin
- Fragrance
- None detected
- Fungal-acne (Malassezia) safe
- Likely, by the formula
- Pregnancy
- No flagged actives
- Ingredients
- 16 listed
- Typical price
- ~€8
How to use it
In the evening, and not every night — 2–3 times a week is plenty. Follow with a moisturiser, and wear sunscreen the next day.
Keep it away from
- Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin)
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Other exfoliating acids the same night
Free from
- Fragrance-free
- Alcohol-free
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
Best for
- Normal
- Oily
- Acne Prone
- Combo
Worth knowing
Nothing our knowledge base would flag: no high-comedogenic or pregnancy-caution actives here.
Common questions
Is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution good for normal skin?
By our read of the formula, it suits normal, oily, acne prone skin. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is an exfoliant built around Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid (BHA) and Glycerin. It leans strongest on hydration, barrier repair, oil-control & blemishes. Best suited to normal, oily and acne prone skin. Go slow — the active is potent enough to irritate if overused.
How do you use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?
In the evening, and not every night — 2–3 times a week is plenty. Follow with a moisturiser, and wear sunscreen the next day.
What are the key ingredients in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?
The actives that do the work are Glycolic acid, Salicylic acid (BHA), Glycerin, Lactic acid, Pro-vitamin B5, Tartaric Acid. The rest of the list is texture, preservatives and emulsifiers that hold the formula together.
Does The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution contain fragrance?
No. By our reading of the ingredient list it is fragrance-free, which is a plus for sensitive or reactive skin.
The full formula, decoded
Every ingredient on the label, in the order it appears (highest amount first). We link the 8 our library knows, name what each one does, and flag anything that can irritate or clog. The rest we leave plain, nothing is hidden.
- Aqua/WaterSolvent (base)
- Glycolic AcidExfoliantcan irritate
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf WaterSolvent (base)
- Sodium HydroxidepH buffer
- Daucus Carota Sativa ExtractBotanical extract
- PropanediolHumectant
- Cocamidopropyl DimethylamineCleansing agent
- Salicylic AcidExfoliantmild irritant
- Potassium CitratepH buffer
- Lactic AcidExfoliantmild irritant
- Tartaric AcidExfoliantmild irritant
- Citric AcidExfoliantmild irritant
- PanthenolHumectant
- Sodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerHumectant
- GlycerinHumectant
- TriethanolaminepH buffer
Copy the raw INCI list
Aqua/Water, Glycolic Acid, 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, Glycerin, Triethanolamine
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We don't make or sell skincare of our own. So there's nothing here we're trying to push, just an honest read of whether this formula suits your skin.