This TikTok’s famous blood-red mask has gained immense popularity and it is well-deserved. The Ordinary AHA BHA Peeling Solution is almost every skin’s favorite and it is effective for most skin types.
Table of Contents
What Does The Ordinary AHA BHA Peeling Solution Do?
The Ordinary AHA BHA Peeling Solution is one solution to most skin problems. It exfoliates dead skin cells, helps with uneven skin tone, smoothes skin texture, fights acne and scars, and reduces the appearance of fine lines.
This is a 10-minute facial, which means that you have to keep this solution for not more than 10 minutes on your face. While its rich red color may give you a feeling that you are just out of “The Vampire Diaries”, the results this chemical peel delivers from day 1 are impressive.
Is The Ordinary AHA BHA A Chemical Peel?
Yes, it is a chemical peel with AHAs and BHAs as key ingredients. Though chemical exfoliants do sound scary, they are a gentler way to get rid of dead skin cells compared to physical exfoliators.
Chemical exfoliators do not require any physical rubbing; rather the acids and enzymes used in them can penetrate deeper into the skin. They dissolve the dirt and oil and increase the cell turnover.
The Ordinary amongst all the brands has proven their results clinically. And this specific chemical peel is obsessed with giving your skin a 180-degree change in the best way possible.
What Is The Ordinary Peeling Solution Made Of?
The Ordinary Peeling Solution combines a powerful mix of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs). The ingredients list states that the AHAs (glycolic, citric, tartaric, and lactic) constitute 30% and BHA (salicylic acid) comprises about 2%. Apart from these two strong acids, this peeling solution also has hyaluronic acid, black carrot, vitamin B5, and Tasmanian pepper berry.
Both AHAs and BHAs are used as exfoliants for the skin. AHAs work on the outer layers of the skin so they’re great for treating dark spots, visible signs of aging, and sun damage.
BHAs are oil-soluble and tend to penetrate deeply into the skin. They dissolve dirt and sebum within the pore and thus act as an effective treatment for clogged pores, acne, blackheads, and whiteheads.
These two acids when paired together act as a powerful exfoliating treatment.
The last important ingredient is the Tasmanian pepper berry. Its extract is used to reduce irritation and itchiness and this is the ingredient that gives this wild red color to the solution.
Is The Ordinary AHA BHA Peel Supposed To Burn?
The Ordinary AHA BHA Peel is a strong acidic formula that tends to feel a bit stingy and even itchy on the skin but not in a painful or burning way. If it gives a burning sensation to your skin, wash it off immediately with cold water and never use it again.
And we always say patch test before directly putting anything on the skin. Also, make sure to apply this peel on completely dry skin.
Is The Ordinary Peeling Solution Good For Your Skin?
The acids in the Ordinary Peeling Solution are high in percentage but, this product delivers glowing, radiant, and flawless skin. It decongests the skin, unclogs pores, and clears bumps making the skin’s texture soft and smooth to touch.
Dry Skin
The Ordinary Peeling Solution is strong for dry skin types. It tends to make dry skin drier and may leave it flaky. So before using this solution make sure you clean your face with a gentle hydrating cleanser and use a good moisturizer immediately after taking off the peel.
Pigmentation
The Ordinary Peeling Solution has shown tremendous results in treating hyperpigmentation. It does take a couple of weeks to show visible change, but it does do what it claims. It also lightens stubborn dark spots and acne scars, even if they are existing for a long time.
Oily Skin
The Ordinary Peeling Solution is best suited for oily acne-prone skin. The combination of AHAs and BHAs gently exfoliates the dead skin cells from the outer layer of the skin while also penetrating deep into the skin unclogging the pores.
Black Skin
Even though The Ordinary Peeling Solution has been hyped for all the good reasons, it does possess a problem for dark and brown skin tones. This solution has a higher concentration of AHAs (30%) and these molecules tend to penetrate deeply into the skin. This in turn triggers the melanocytes in dark and brown skin.
The activation of melanocytes results in the overproduction of melanin which causes hyperpigmentation. This means that The Ordinary Peeling Solution ends up creating a skin issue it was known to solve.
For dark skin, it is always advised to go for chemical peels having a low concentration of AHAs and BHAs.
Rosacea
Being a non-abrasive exfoliator, The Ordinary Peeling Solution is ideal for inflamed skin conditions like rosacea or itchy skin. The potent combination of AHAs and BHAs provides deep exfoliation, fights dark spots and blemishes, and improves skin texture.
To be on the safer side, do a patch test before putting this solution on your inflamed skin to make sure that your face doesn’t react to it.
Sensitive Skin
The Ordinary Peeling Solution may be a bit strong for sensitive skin until this particular skin type is tolerant to strong chemical acid exfoliation. If not, then it is recommended not to use this peeling solution before getting used to the low concentration of acids.
Combination Skin
The Ordinary Peeling Solution is good for combination skin as it works beautifully in decongesting and detoxifying skin from within.
Scars
The content of AHAs in this peeling solution is 30% which is the highest in over-the-counter products. The AHAs are known to fade acne and acne scars by sloughing off the outer layer of dead skin cells to reveal even-toned and radiant skin.
Is The Ordinary Peeling Solution Safe During Pregnancy?
The Ordinary Peeling Solution contains 2% salicylic acid which is considered safe to use. It is advised to use this peeling solution, or any OTC product having BHAs, less frequently. But, we recommend you consult your doctor before including this peel in your skincare regime.
Is The Ordinary Peeling Solution Safe For Teenagers?
We won’t advise The Ordinary Peeling Solution for teenage skin. It can cause irritation, itching, redness, or other skin problems owing to the higher concentration of acids. Chemical peels should always be included in the early twenties to treat scars, dark spots, and pigmentation.
What Does The Ordinary Peeling Solution Contain?
Parabens
No, The Ordinary Peeling Solution does not contain parabens or other allergy-causing preservatives.
Alcohol
The Ordinary Peeling Solution is free from commonly used alcohols, however, it does have caprylyl glycol. It is also recommended to use alcohol-free skincare products after using this chemical peel.
Retinol
The Ordinary Peeling Solution does not contain retinol. The ingredients present in it are not the best match for retinol, hence you should avoid using retinol on days when you are using this peel.
Palm Oil
The Ordinary Peeling Solution has caprylyl glycol, an alcohol derived from coconut or palm oil. It is difficult to say which one of them this brand has used to produce this ingredient.
SPF
The Ordinary Peeling Solution does not contain SPF, hence it is advised to use a broad spectrum SPF cream after using this peel.
Fragrance
The Ordinary Peeling Solution has a fruity berry-like smell which is mild. If you are sensitive to fragrances then you can give it a pass.
Silicone
The Ordinary Peeling Solution is silicone-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and is even vegan and cruelty-free.
Does The Ordinary Peeling Solution Cause Breakouts?
When you introduce a strong acidic chemical peel in your routine, it may trigger breakouts. There are “good breakouts” and “bad breakouts”.
The phase of good breakouts is also known as skin purging which we will discuss in the next section.
Bad breakouts occur when your skin is sensitive to the ingredients present in your product. The only time you’ll get bad breakouts after using The Ordinary Peeling Solution is when your skin is sensitive to strong acids or your skin is not used to chemical peels.
Does The Ordinary Peeling Solution Cause Purging?
Yes, The Ordinary Peeling Solution causes purging most of the time. Skin purging is a phase where your acne gets triggered due to a ‘skincare active’ which results in increased cell turnover.
Being high on actives, this peeling solution may trigger some dormant acne all at once, which is a good thing. This ensures that the product is effective. Skin purging may last from a week up to a maximum of 2 months depending on how acute your skin concerns are.
Does The Ordinary Peeling Solution Cause Redness?
If your skin feels a painful burning sensation along with redness, then wash it off immediately and never use it again. The Ordinary Peeling Solution may cause redness as a strong reaction, or if you have used it incorrectly.
For instance, this peel should not be used on damp skin or on days when you have used some actives and didn’t wash them off.
Is It Normal For The Ordinary Peeling Solution to Burn and itch?
No, it is not normal for The Ordinary Peeling Solution to burn. It does cause a tingling sensation but not a painful burning feel. If it does, take it off immediately.
How Long Does It Take For The Ordinary Peeling Solution To Work?
This chemical peel may take a week, months, or even a year to show drastic results. It all depends on how critical your skin issues are. Hyperpigmentation and scars can take months to fade while acne and zits may take a few weeks to get eliminated.
How Often Can I Use The Ordinary Peel?
The brand recommends to use this peel once a week initially and gradually works up to twice a week if your skin allows you to do so.
Don’t start with too much product if you are new to this level of actives concentration. Start by applying a thin layer on your face or just test it on areas where you have the most problematic skin, like the nose or forehead.
Also, don’t keep this peel for more than 2-5 minutes
Observe how your skin reacts to it and then proceed further.
When You Shouldn’t Use The Ordinary Peeling Solution?
Avoid using The Ordinary Peeling Solution if your skin has some existing wounds, damaged skin barrier, bruised skin, sunburn, or peeling.
What Should You Not Use After Ordinary Peeling Solution?
Avoid using other actives like Vitamin C, copper peptides, or retinol after using this peel. Using the Ordinary Peeling Solution can dry out the skin so make sure to rehydrate it by using a soothing toner and a moisturizer.
Avoid using products having alcohol, acids, or menthol in them, they can further irritate the skin.
Should You Moisturize After The Ordinary Peeling Solution?
Always yes. Make sure to use a moisturizer that not only soothes and hydrates your skin but also supports the skin barrier. Go for moisturizers having Hyaluronic Acid, ceramides, or phospholipids that strengthen the skin barrier.
Using strong chemical peels also makes skin vulnerable to sun damage. So make sure to use a broad spectrum SPF as the last step in your skincare routine.
Can You Wear Makeup After The Ordinary Peeling Solution?
No, avoid using any makeup or products that may trigger reactions or irritation on the face. The skin needs its own time to repair and relax after going through a chemical exfoliating process. If possible, use this peel in your night skincare routine so that it can replenish itself while you sleep.
Is Ordinary Peeling Solution Effective For Your Skin?
The Ordinary Peeling Solution delivers effective results for the price it comes at. It clears congestion, eradicates blackheads and acne, smoothens skin texture, and gives an instant glow up after the very first use.
We highly recommend this product if you don’t have extremely sensitive skin. A potent blend of acids and antioxidants, this peeling solution is anti-inflammatory, suitable for vegans, and does deserve a place in your vanity.
Reference:
- https://theordinary.com/en-us/aha-30-bha-2-peeling-solution-exfoliator-100400.html
- https://incidecoder.com/products/the-ordinary-aha-30-bha-2-peeling-solution-3
- Does Glossier Skincare Have Fragrance? - October 21, 2022
- Is Aveeno Color-Safe? - October 20, 2022
- Is Acure Color-Safe? - October 20, 2022
