The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% has been in the market for quite sometime. The buzz and the hype the brand created was pretty large. And I remember trying to get my hands on their products then, was difficult as it would always run out of stock. I wanted to get my hands on their foundation too which I later did buy. However the shade was tad dark but I loved the way it looked on skin and for that price it was a steal. Now back to this skincare product, I wanted to start using chemical exfoliators that’s when I felt like getting the Ordinary peeling solution. I was skeptical and quite nervous as I have never used a chemical peel so I did my research and bought this product.
As mentioned on the bottle the peeling solution consists of 30% AHA which basically consists of four acids which are glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid and citric acid. These four acids together give out the 30% concentration of AHA. Now AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) basically fix your skin surface, it doesn’t penetrate into the skin, but it helps in reducing dark spots, hyperpigmentation, texture etc. Whereas BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids) penetrate into the skin fixing more of internal issues. This peeling solution consists of 2% of salicylic acid which is a BHA. Together it is of 32% of acids which is kind of strong. But if you are used to using acids then it’s fine. It’s quite interesting that these ordinary brand products are sold at affordable prices for the chemicals they make to skin treat. Thus helping us women to take care of our skin and treating them accordingly.
Price
9 USD for 30ml
Packaging: The product comes in a frosted glass bottle with a white dispenser sort of droplet. Since the glass is strong I guess you can say you can travel with it however I am not fond of traveling with glass packaging as I always worry, what if it breaks and spills everywhere? The label definitely looks very classy science type, like how you see in a chemical laboratory. The dispenser part is fine, as the amount you pump in only comes out.
My Experience
When this product first released, it was fascinating to see how influencers on instagram poured it on their face to attract the audience, it was like a horror film, where you are dropping blood on your face and doing blood facial. This peeling solution is red in color thus resembling blood. The consistency is liquid type gel so it glides on just fine. Do a patch test before using the peel. The very first time I used this product it did give a sting which is normal whenever you use it and especially if you have never used any chemical exfoliators. I strictly used it or rather applied and left it on my face for only ten minutes and not more. Then washed it off with luke warm water as written on the instructions. I felt my skin looked and felt smooth and soft as did the next day it looked really nice but after another day I could see a slight skin peel like not peeling but dead skin patches showing, meaning the product is working. So remember to go in with a good hydrating moisturizer after having used this. To reduce the tingling Tasmanian pepperberry has been used in this product. This particular ingredient has anti-inflammatory properties to help in reducing irritations, redness and also to evade the risk of anything serious or negative reaction. But despite this property being added, i felt certain times whenever I applied this peeling solution the burning sensation or the tingling was more, and I wasn’t sure why was that till I researched more about the product. Normally chemical exfoliators dry out the skin, and having belonging to the dry skin category I understood that my skin was dehydrated whenever I used this peel. So for a month I did not use it as I wanted to fix my dry skin first, and did so by changing my skincare regimen. After I felt my skin became hydrated I switched to using this peel again. And guess what the tingling wasn’t there or was very less. So the point to remember is that if you have dry skin or dehydrated skin I wouldn’t recommend it, as when you start using this it dries you out eventually, you need to fix the dry skin problem first. Also if you are a beginner to chemical peeling solutions, do your research first and then think if it’s a needed step. I used to have a lot of texture and so this product helped in reducing it a little and also lightens the dark spots, which makes your face look brighter after its usage.
If you would like to give it a try, apply and leave it for five minutes once a week in the first week initially to get used to the tingly feeling. Then in the second week do it twice but for 5-6 minutes and after that in the coming weeks, leave it for 10 minutes. This product as instructed can be used for up to twice a week as the concentration of acid together puts up to 32% which can be strong for your skin. The results are visible when you start using it. And a very important point to remember, please use a SPF in your skincare routine after having used any chemical peels during the day, if you don’t use it the sun can irritate your skin which can cause redness. I would recommend using this peel during the night as you should refrain from using it during the day as the acids may not react kindly when the sun is around and then go in with your night time skincare, I feel when applying this way, the next morning you wake up to a brighter and softer baby skin. However if you aren’t a beginner, I am not sure if it would yield the result you would like as after having used different types of acids this as per some influencers do not give a good amount of results.
For the price, this is a steal and you get 30ml which goes a long way.
Rating: 4.5/5