The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Review

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution Review

Hello Everyone,

Today’s review is on The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. The Ordinary is a skin care brand that has launched some extra ordinarily good skin care stuff at a very reasonable price. If you haven’t heard about The Ordinary products, you have been probably living under the rock. You will see all the Insta stores selling The Ordinary stuff for a much higher price but I would highly advice you to keep an eye on Cult Beauty website, they offer free shipping to India once in every two months or so. You can order any skin care item and it will be delivered to you in max. 15 days. I personally do not see any point spending thrice the value of the product by buying it from any Insta store, just place the order on Cult Beauty and they give you free tracked shipping and it is a no fuss process. You can follow me on Instagram and I will update you guys during the free shipping so that you can stock on some stuff at a very reasonable price.

To start with, I had been eyeing quiet a lot of stuff from The Ordinary but when Cult Beauty announced their free shipping to India two months back, I went to their website, checked a few items but a lot of them were gone before I could grab them. The few items that were still in stock were sort of new to me, I googled the reviews and after reading a few I narrowed down to one product that intrigued me the most. As all the products on my wishlist were out of stock I decided to order only one product i.e. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. This was one of my most impulsive purchase till date, I usually like to read a lot of reviews, compare a lot of products from different brands and then make a purchase when I am ordering skin care stuff but this purchase was done in a matter of 10 minutes.

Company Description of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

With 30% Alpha Hydroxy Acids (Glycolic/Lactic/Tartaric/Citric), 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid (Salicylic Acid), Hyaluronic Acid Crosspolymer, Vitamin B5, Black Carrot and Tasmanian Pepperberry

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) exfoliate the skin’s topmost surface for a brighter and more even appearance. Beta hydroxy acids (BHA) also exfoliate the skin with an extended function to help clear pore congestion. This combined 32% AHA/BHA solution offers deeper exfoliation to help fight visible blemishes and for improved skin radiance. The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture and reduces the look of fine lines with continued use.

This formula contains a studied Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative to help reduce irritation associated with acid use. This derivative is of plant origin and varies in colour seasonally and this colour variation may be apparent in the formula from time to time. This formula is further supported with a crosspolymer form of hyaluronic acid for comfort, Vitamin B5 to assist healing and black carrot as an antioxidant.

This pH of this formula is approximately 3.6. Glycolic Acid, the primary AHA used in the formula, has a pKa of 3.6 and pKa is the most important aspect to consider in formulating with acids. pKa implies acid availability. When pKa is close to pH, there is an ideal balance between salt and acidity, maximizing effectiveness of the acid and reducing irritation. Higher pH numbers in such a case would increase salt which counter-intuitively would make the formula even more irritating than if the formula was more acidic.

Precautions:

Note: This formula contains a very high concentration of free acids. We recommend use only if you are an experienced user of acid exfoliation and your skin is not sensitive.

Contraindications: This formula should not be used on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. Please refer to additional sun protection note and other warnings in provided Directions.

Directions of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

Use ideally in the PM, no more frequently than twice per week. Clean face and wait for skin to dry. Do not use on wet skin. Apply evenly across face and neck using your fingertips. Leave on for no more than 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes both during application and rinse off. This low-viscosity solution is intended to be used as a masque. Do not leave on for longer than 10 minutes. If persistent irritation occurs, discontinue use and consult a physician. (Sunburn Alert: This product contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards. Use only as directed. Contact of the product with the skin must be of limited frequency or duration.)

Ingredients of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

Glycolic Acid, Aqua (Water), 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.

Price of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

You can purchase it from Cult Beauty Website for £6.30. I got it for Rs.505. 

Swatch of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

Availability of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution: 

You can purchase it from Cult Beauty Website. Click HERE to purchase.

My Experience with the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution comes in a white cardboard packaging with the details on the product mentioned on it. The solution comes in a very sturdy glass dropper bottle. I love products that come in a glass packaging, they feel so luxurious. I know it might be a con for a lot of people and products with glass packaging are not travel friendly but I like when my products come in a glass bottle or a glass tub . The peel is dark red maroon in colour so that when we apply it on our face we can see that we have covered the entire face properly with the peel or not. It has a very distinct chemical sort of a fragrance, nothing too strong or bothering at all. It is little gel like viscous solution which has a sticky feeling for better application.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is reddish maroon in color due to the Tasmanian Pepperberry which is supposed to be responsible for reducing the tingling sensation from the acid. The product contains AHA’s such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and BHA in the form of salyclic acid with hyaluronic acid. Usually AHA products contain only a single AHA in them but this peeling solution contains a combined concentration of all these acids.

It is advisable that you always start with a lesser concentartion of acids and then go up gradually but I started with this product right away and I didn’t encounter any issues. You should always do a patch test when you are using concentrated and potent acids like these ones so do remember to patch test this one prior to applying this on your entire face.

So this is not any sort of an overnight treatment which will give you instant results with one or two applications, you need to use it regularly for about one to one and a half month to be able to see difference in your skin tone. You need to wash your face thoroughly before application and make sure that your face isn’t wet when you apply the peel. I like to apply a clay mask like the Jeva Activated Charcaoal Face Pack prior to the application so that it removes all the traces of oil from my face before I go in with the peel. I like to drop 2-3 drops of the peel on my face and then I spread it evenly all across my face with my fingers. You can apply the peel with the help of a silicone brush also but I feel comfortable with my fingers. I apply the peel and leave it on my face for not more than 10 minutes. I wash it off with plain tap water and as this is a gentle peel it does make my skin a little warm and it does give a sort of burning sensation which is very normal. I always apply a chilled sheet mask after I wash off the peel to soothe and calm down my skin and I would advice everyone to apply any sort of cooling gel or any water based product after applying any peel. If you don’t have any sheet mask just take a ice cube wrapped in a wash cloth and rub it all across your face.

I have dry skin with no skin allergies or any acne so this product didn’t irritate my skin at all but if you are someone who has sensitive skin or active acne please stay away from this product. This is certainly not for you.

So as I told you earlier this was one of the most impulsive purchase and I was not too sure about it as I am not that much into chemical peels but as it had great reviews online I thought of giving it a shot. I had gone for a chemical peel session once to a dermatologist few months before my wedding but didn’t like the results at all so never tried any sort of skin peeling over the years. This product is a chemical feel that exfoliates the skin with an extended function to help clear pore congestion. I have been using this peel twice every week for 2 months now and I can see a reduction in brown spots on my cheeks. I had uneven skin tone issues, my forehead is bit darker as compared to the rest of my face and this chemical peel has reduced the darkness on my forehead to quite an extent. It makes your skin tone even and also gives a very luminous and glowing effect to the skin. You will start seeing results after around one month of usage. It also gives a very soft supple effect to the skin and makes the skin peel plumped up after use.

I am almost going to finish this bottle and I am definitely going to repurchase it. I love the effects of this on my skin. I feel with continuous application it is going to even out my skin tone completely and will reduce the small freckles that I have on my cheek area completely.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution formula claims to improves the appearance of skin texture and reduces the look of fine lines with continued use, I haven’t seen any reduction in fine lines or wrinkles on my face yet but may be in the long run it will help to fade out wrinkles and fine lines too.

One thing that you must remember while using it that you should preferably apply this at nigh time. This product contains an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn so apply it at night and always remember to apply loads of sunscreen on your face when you step out in the sun next morning. I apply it at night on a day when I am pretty sure that I do not have to go out of the house next morning so that I don’t expose my skin to direct sunlight. If you apply it on your skin and your skin feels irritated or you feel a burning sensation that is not bearable wash it off quickly as it may harm your skin. You will feel a little burning effect on  the skin because it is a chemical peel after all but nothing that is not tolerable.

I am pretty satisfied that the effects and will definitely repurchase it. It is no point going to a dermatologist and paying Rs.1500-Rs.2000 for a single sitting when you can get a peel done at your home, so guys if you want to try any sort of a peel for your skin, I would highly advice you to try the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. It is a bomb product and at such an amazing price it is definitely a steal.

Pros of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

• Reasonably priced.
• It shows results within a month of application.
• You require only a small amount to cover your entire face.
• Gives amazing results.
• Evens out the complexion, gives a luminous glow to the skin.
• Does not irritate my skin at all.
• Does not have a strong or overpowering smell.

Cons of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

• Not readily available in India.

Rating of the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution:

I would give it a full 5/5.

Will I recommend the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?

I would definitely recommend it to any one who wants to try chemicals peels.

Would I repurchase the The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?

I am definitely going to reorder this next time Cult Beauty comes out with a free shipping offer.