AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — Reddit Reviews
by The Ordinary
Updated September 23, 2026
Powerful 10-minute acid peel for clogged, textured skin; brutal on barriers.
What the community says
A 10-minute acid peel with glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid for congested, rough, or acne-prone skin. Redditors use it as a weekly reset; studies found those acids help acne. Dry or sensitive skin gets wrecked fast.
What this means for you
Backed by 19 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more.
Read the threads ↓What people love
Watch out for
- Burns and stings if you overdo it
- Barrier damage is the recurring complaint
- Dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin can flare hard
Product details
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Acne
Some evidence
Salicylic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 34 studies
On Reddit: Weekly chemical peel with 30% glycolic acid and 2% BHA resets oily, breakout-prone skin and clears blackheads. 13 mentions
Both ingredients for acne
Salicylic Acid Some evidence
- Most studies found salicylic acid helped acne
- It often improved pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
- It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
- Some studies found it helped more when used together with other acne treatments
- Side effects were unclear in the findings provided
Studied at 0.5–30%this product: 2%
Glycolic Acid Some evidence
13 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies
- Most studies found glycolic acid helped acne
- It often reduced pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and sometimes skin redness
- Some studies found it cleared acne better than a placebo
- It often worked about as well as other acne treatments or peels
- The most common side effects were early irritation and peeling
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Glycolic Acid: 15 studies tested it on its own. See all 26 studies
On Reddit: Chemical peel with 30% glycolic acid dramatically peels skin and erases stubborn dark spots. 8 mentions
What the studies found
- Most studies found glycolic acid helped fade dark patches
- It often worked better when used with other treatments than those treatments alone
- On its own, it also faded dark patches in some studies
- It often worked about as well as some other peels or retinol, but not better than all options
- The most common side effects were redness, irritation, and peeling
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 214 mentions across 19 threads
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution on Reddit, in one place — 19 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 5 more, summarized.
“TWICE A WEEK -TO AHA 30% + BHA 2% peeling solution”
Positive
“Twice a week the peeling solution? How did you find that for you?”
Positive
“TO AHA 30% + BHA 2% peeling solution”
Positive
“very limited occasional use of their AHA BHA Peeling Solution”
Positive
“Routine:”
Positive
“Everything is so inconsistent because I struggle with executive function”
Positive
“- The Ordinary Peeling solution (once a week)”
Positive
“Hmmm I think the real game changer for me was the The Ordinary Peeling Solution paired with Hada Labo Lightening lotion (blue bottle).”
Positive
“The rest of my routine was things that I’ve used previously, so I think those two products were the ones that helped clear things out aha.”
Positive
“The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, once a week, NEVER during the week that i dermaroll”
Positive
“i would say the dermarolling + weekly chemical exfoliation helped the most”
Positive
“The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% **OR** The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution”
Positive
“Once per week I skip tret/AA and do the ordinary BHA/AHA peel.”
Positive
“Awesome results! I love to use the AHA/BHA weekly.”
Positive
“I have skin that leans oily and breaks out easily so its a great reset.”
Positive
“The Ordinary Peeling Solution is amazing for exfoliation.”
Positive
“Use it on your hands, knees, elbows.”
Positive
“You'll feel brand new.”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Better for Texture / Pores
10 shared traits
813 mentions
