The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — Efficacy 4.4/5.0, Safety 3.8/5.0 | DemythSkin
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[ DemythSkin Verdict ]
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The Ordinary

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

ExfoliantExfoliation
Efficacy
Strong
4.4 / 5.0
Safety
Mostly Safe
3.8 / 5.0
System Verdict
This is a high-powered acid peel that works, but it is absolutely unforgiving and easy to misuse. The efficacy comes from very high-strength AHAs (lactic, tartaric, citric) combined with 2% salicylic acid, which can deliver significant exfoliation, texture refinement, and pore unclogging when used on intact skin for a short contact time at the correct low pH. However, the extreme acid load, lack of barrier lipids, and reliance on only light humectants and minimal soothing agents mean the formula trades comfort and tolerance for intensity; this justifies a strong exfoliation score but demands strict limits on frequency and application and makes it unsuitable for sensitive or compromised skin.
Active Ingredients Detected
S Tier: Gold StandardsHigh Clinical Proof | Skin-Transformative
Salicylic AcidLactic Acid
A Tier: Good BasicsProven Results
PanthenolSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerGlycerin
B Tier: Supporting IngredientsPromising Ingredients
Cocamidopropyl DimethylaminePotassium CitrateTartaric AcidTrisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
C Tier: Marketing IdolsHype | Limited or Weak Data
Daucus Carota Sativa ExtractTasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
What Each Ingredient Does
Water
Primary solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
pH adjuster / neutralizer
Daucus Carota Sativa Extract
Botanical extract, antioxidant
Propanediol
Solvent and humectant
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
pH adjuster / buffering agent
Salicylic Acid
BHA exfoliant for pores
Potassium Citrate
Buffering agent, pH control
Lactic Acid
AHA exfoliant, hydrating acid
Tartaric Acid
AHA exfoliant, pH adjustment
Citric Acid
AHA exfoliant, pH adjustment
Panthenol
Humectant and soothing agent
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Film-forming humectant
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Soothing botanical extract
Glycerin
Core humectant for hydration
Pentylene Glycol
Humectant and solvent
Xanthan Gum
Viscosity controller / thickener
Polysorbate 20
Solubilizer / emulsifier
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Chelating agent
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Preservative booster
1,2-Hexanediol
Solvent and preservative booster
Caprylyl Glycol
Humectant and preservative booster
Full Ingredient List (INCI)

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.

Frequently Asked

Is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution worth it?

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution scores 4.4 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Strong) and 3.8 out of 5.0 for safety (Mostly Safe) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. This is a high-powered acid peel that works, but it is absolutely unforgiving and easy to misuse. The efficacy comes from very high-strength AHAs (lactic, tartaric, citric) combined with 2% salicylic acid, which can deli

What are the key active ingredients in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid.

Does The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. It scores 3.8 out of 5.0 for safety.

How is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent axes: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are classified S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. No brand pays for a score.

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Analysis last updated: 2026-08-14. DemythSkin is an independent ingredient analyzer. Scores are computed by a deterministic rubric from published clinical evidence — no brand pays for a score. DemythSkin earns commission from affiliate links (Amazon Associates and others). Scores are computed before any commercial relationship — the link follows the verdict, never the other way around.