The Ordinary's AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a rinse-off weekly peel combining glycolic, lactic, tartaric and citric acids with 2% salicylic acid (32% acids in total) at pH 3.5–3.7, plus hyaluronic acid, panthenol and black carrot extract in a striking red liquid. Creators report smoother, brighter skin and fewer clogged pores after a 10-minute application once or twice a week. The brand restricts it to experienced acid users, and some doctors warn about its risks, so careful timing and sunscreen are essential.

Best for

Rough texture and dullness on resilient skin
Clogged pores on oily or combination skin
Experienced exfoliant users wanting an at-home peel

Why it’s trending

76K+ sold on TikTok Shop

Source

What we love

Strong 32% combined AHA/BHA blend delivers visible smoothing
Weekly use makes a $9.50 bottle last a long time
Hyaluronic acid and panthenol support the acid load
Rinse-off format limits contact time

Worth knowing

Only for experienced acid users; not for sensitive or compromised skin
Misuse or over-long contact can cause significant irritation
Adds significant sun sensitivity for a week after use

How it scored

The breakdown.

Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.

8.1Great

Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.

Results30%8.2
Creators documenting weeks to years of use report noticeably smoother, brighter skin and fewer clogged pores, consistent with a strong combined AHA/BHA peel.
Formula & ingredients20%7.6
A potent 32% acid blend at a low pH with hyaluronic acid and panthenol for support; the strength leaves little margin for error and the brand limits it to experienced users.
Texture & experience15%6.8
Stinging and tingling are expected, the 10-minute limit must be timed, and the red liquid can look alarming, so it is not a relaxing mask.
Value20%9.3
At $9.50 for 30 ml used once or twice weekly, one bottle covers many treatments for a fraction of an in-office peel.
Community love15%8.2
One of the most-watched skincare products on YouTube, with many glowing before-and-afters alongside prominent doctor warnings about misuse.

Beauty profile

Inside the bottle.

Texture

Red, water-based exfoliating serum applied with fingertips and rinsed off

Format

Peel

Size

1 fl oz / 30 ml

Key ingredients

Ingredient encyclopedia →

What’s in it: 30% AHAs (glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric) plus 2% salicylic acid for 32% total acids at pH 3.50–3.70, with sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), black carrot extract and Tasmanian pepperberry, per the brand.

How to use

Use once or twice a week in the evening on clean, dry skin; apply evenly with fingertips avoiding the eye contour, leave on for no more than 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Free from (brand-stated)

alcohol
oil
silicones
gluten

Claims & certifications

Vegan
Cruelty-free (brand-stated)

Full ingredient list (INCI)25 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand

Glycolic Acid,
Aqua (Water),
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water,
Sodium Hydroxide,
Daucus Carota Sativa Extract,
Propanediol,
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine,
Salicylic Acid,
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

Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.

Official product page

Creator video reviews

Watch it in action.

Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.

We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.

What people say

Straight from the source.

Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.

1 verbatim quote · 1 positive

Really Ree

Straight after use, my skin is soft, smooth and glowing, and my enlarged pores appear less obvious.

ReeReally Ree · 2021-12Source

Price & value

Is it worth it?

Typical price

$9.50

for 1 fl oz / 30 ml

Per ounce

$9.36

DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury

About 14% more per ounce than the typical exfoliants & masks we review. Our value score: 9.3/10 for a drugstore pick.

Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.

Where to buy

Check price on Amazon Shop on TikTok Shop76746 sold Buy from the brand$9.50 SSee it at Sephora

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Community

What members noticed.

Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.

No member ratings yet.

Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.

Highlighted: what it’s built to do.

Discussion

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FAQ

Good questions.

How long should I leave the Peeling Solution on?

No more than 10 minutes, according to The Ordinary, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. It should be applied to clean, dry skin, not damp skin.

How often can I use it?

The brand says once or twice a week, ideally in the evening. It is not designed for daily use.

Is it safe for beginners or sensitive skin?

The Ordinary says it is only suitable for experienced users of acid exfoliation and should not be used on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. A patch test is advised.

Do I need sunscreen after using it?

Yes. The brand warns that the AHAs and BHA can increase sun sensitivity and recommends sunscreen and limited sun exposure while using it and for a week afterwards.

Sources we checked (7)