The Ordinary
AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution
face exfoliator
The Ordinary
face exfoliator
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Fit by skin type
General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.
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Take the skin testAn at-home 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.
AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution is a watery-light exfoliator from The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada. The ingredient list runs to 25 ingredients, each broken down in full below.
By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte.
Cell renewal: Moderate. Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover, and here that comes from Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid and Tartaric Acid.
Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid and Tartaric Acid.
Hydration: Moderate. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Propanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer and Glycerin.
On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.
The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.
Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.
Use it in the evening. In a routine it goes after cleansing, before serums. Start at once or twice a week and build up only if skin stays comfortable. Wear sunscreen the next morning — fresh exfoliation raises UV sensitivity.
This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.
Drawn purely from the ingredient list
Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.
Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy
Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance
Refines texture by gently exfoliating rough, uneven patches
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin
Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores
Helps unclog pores and reduce blackheads for clearer skin
None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.
The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Acetic acid, hydroxy-
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Salicylic acid
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium salt, polymer with 1,1'-sulfonylbis[ethene]
15th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract is the extract of the fruit and leaves of Tasmannia lanceolata, Winteraceae.
16th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
17th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.
Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin
Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity
Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution
Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine
Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks
Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity
Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover
Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support
"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.
Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.
Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.
Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.
Best kept to separate routines — one in the morning, one at night, or on alternate days.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
Can be layered, but the combination raises the irritation risk. Go slowly.
This product is the "Exfoliate" step.
Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.
Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 25 ingredients on the label.
Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels
Sets the acidity the formula needs to work
Dissolves and carries everything else
Draws water into the upper layers of skin
Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula
Botanical material, usually for antioxidants or scent
Keeps the product free of microbial growth
Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together
Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula
Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution
Softens and smooths by filling gaps between skin cells
Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells
Forms a film that slows water loss
Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.
1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 10–40% of the formula.
Acetic acid, hydroxy-
2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Water
3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water is an aqueous solution of the steam distillate obtained from the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae
4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Sodium hydroxide
5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
Daucus Carota Sativa Extract is the extract of the whole Carrot, Daucus carota L. subsp. Sativus, Apiaceae
6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.
1,3-dihydroxypropane
7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Amides, coco, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]
8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Salicylic acid
9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Tripotassium citrate
10th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.
Propanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-
11th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
2,3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid
12th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid
13th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol
14th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Hyaluronic acid, sodium salt, polymer with 1,1'-sulfonylbis[ethene]
15th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract is the extract of the fruit and leaves of Tasmannia lanceolata, Winteraceae.
16th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
Glycerine ;Glycerol (INN); Glycerol (RIFM); Glycerolum (EP); Glycyl Alcohol; 1,2,3-Propanetriol; 1,2,3-Trihydroxypropane
17th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–3% of the formula.
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
18th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Xanthan gum
19th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
20th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt
21st on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Potassium (E,E)-hexa-2,4-dienoate
22nd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Sodium benzoate
23rd on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
1,2-Propanediol, 3-(2-ethylhexyloxy)
24th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
25th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.
Octane-1,2-diol
Products in the same category that share this formula's distinguishing ingredients.
The Ordinary
Shares 7 key ingredients with AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution: Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Heimish
Shares 7 key ingredients with AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid
LA MER
Shares 7 key ingredients with AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution: Glycolic Acid, Propanediol, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid
SKIN1004
Shares 6 key ingredients with AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution: Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin
The Ordinary
Shares 6 key ingredients with AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution: Propanediol, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/leaf Extract, Pentylene Glycol
BE THE SKIN
Shares 5 key ingredients with AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution: Glycerin, Glycolic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid
GLYCOLIC ACID, AQUA, 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.
GLYCOLIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, TARTARIC ACID, CITRIC ACID, PANTHENOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE CROSSPOLYMER.
-Apply to a clean, dry face. -Leave on for 10 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water. -Use ideally in the PM, no more frequently than twice per week. Precautions: -Do not use on wet skin. -Do not leave on for longer than 10 minutes. -If persistent irritation occurs, discontinue use and consult a physician. Note: Due to its high concentration of free acids, this solution should be used with caution, especially for those with sensitive skin. We recommend use only if you are an experienced user of acid exfoliation and your skin is not sensitive.
Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
One ingredient could feed malassezia: Polysorbate 20. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.
It contains Salicylic Acid, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.
No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.
Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.
It layers well with Azelaic acid, Copper peptides, Bakuchiol, Niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid, Ceramides. Take more care combining it with Retinoids (retinol, retinal), Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide — use them in separate routines or on alternate days.
Use it in the evening, after cleansing, before serums.
It lists 25 ingredients, of which 7 are recorded as actives.
The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.
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