Formula · 7.8

Brand · 8.3

The Ordinary · peeling mask, rinse off after 10 minutes · Canada

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
7.8

LabReadAI label score

How the score is calculated
  • Actives and evidence0.8Actives with strong evidence: 2 of 5
  • Active concentration0.7After the 1 % line: lactic acid, panthenol (pro-vitamin b5) — the concentration is likely token
  • Completeness for the purpose0.8For “skin texture and pores” — 75 %; without niacinamide, which makes pores less visible; without a retinoid — it renews the skin deeper than acids; could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a broad formula across 4 purposes
  • Tolerance0.8Use together with care: glycolic acid + lactic acid, glycolic acid + salicylic acid (bha)
  • adults
  • oily skin
  • dry skin
  • babies
  • atopic skin
  • pregnancysalicylates — ask a doctor
  • sensitive skintingling, start 1–2 times a week
  • before sunSPF is a must in the daytime
Free from:
  • alcohol (alcohol denat) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “denatured alcohol” group — evaporates fast and degreases; frequent contact can dry the skin — a tolerance question, not a regulatory one; does not clog pores
  • sulfates (SLS/SLES) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “ammonium laureth sulfate (ALES), ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), sodium coco-sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium myreth sulfate, TEA-lauryl sulfate” group — a cleansing surfactant from the sulfate family but with an ethoxylated chain: it cleanses more gently than lauryl sulfate. Still not for those looking for a sulfate-free product.
  • formaldehyde releasers · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “formaldehyde releasers” group — preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde; allowed at low levels but a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI) · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “isothiazolinone preservatives (MIT/MCI)” group — preservatives; banned in EU leave-on products and limited in rinse-off (0.0015%) — a frequent cause of contact allergy
  • fragrance · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “fragrance and its allergens” group — the fragrance and its aromatic components; the EU requires 26 of them to be listed separately — matters to people allergic to fragrance, does not affect how the product works
  • parabens · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “parabens” group — preservatives; methyl- and ethylparaben are recognised as safe at permitted levels, propyl- and butyl- are limited by the EU to 0.14 %; a frequent buyer question rather than proven harm
  • mineral oils and petrolatum · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “petrolatum and mineral oils” group — purified cosmetic-grade petroleum products: form a protective barrier film; safety is established, a preference question; 0–2 of 5 (depends on the raw-material source), cosmetic white oil per DiNardo (2005) is non-comedogenic
  • soap · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “potassium soap (potassium cocoate), plant soap base (sodium palmate, sodium cocoate), tallow soap base (sodium tallowate)” group — liquid soap: fatty acids boiled with alkali. It cleanses well, but its acidity is around 9-10 against 5 for skin, which is why it often leaves tightness. The product is rinsed off, so the question is tolerance.
  • silicones · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “silicones” group — form a smooth film and shine; inert and not absorbed — a preference question, not a safety one
  • gelatin in the coating · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “vegetarian coating” group — a plant-based tablet coating instead of gelatin; it keeps moisture out and makes swallowing easier
  • toning dyes · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “violet toning dyes” group — direct dyes that settle on the hair surface and cancel the yellow cast of blonde; they wash out in 1–3 washes and leave a lilac tint if left too long; HC Blue 2 and Disperse Violet 1 are known contact allergens of hair dyes
  • tar · by the listthe list has no ingredient of the “wood (birch) tar” group — a traditional remedy for dandruff and itching with a sharp smell; it reduces flaking, but can irritate a sensitive scalp and dries the hair
What for: Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable.
When:
  • when washing, rinsed off
  • evening
in the evening, 2–3 times a week; SPF in the daytime
When to expect an effect: texture, glow — 2–4 weeks; pores, blackheads — 4–8 weeks; smoothness — 2–4 weeks; soothing — days; barrier — 2–4 weeks; hydration — immediately; lasting effect — 2–4 weeks
What is normal: tingling for 1–2 minutes after applying; mild dryness and flaking in the first weeks; mild tingling

Ingredients — 23 components · 5 work

What works: 5 of 23 ingredients: glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid and 2 more. Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable.

What lowers the score: actives and evidence: actives with strong evidence: 2 of 5; active concentration: after the 1 % line: lactic acid, panthenol — the concentration is likely token; completeness for the purpose: for “skin texture and pores” — 75 %; tolerance: use together with care: glycolic acid + lactic acid, glycolic acid + salicylic acid

Questions: no debatable ingredients in the formula

  • Glycolic acid + Hyaluronic acid — reinforce each otherhyaluronate softens the dryness from the acid
  • Glycolic acid + Lactic acid — use together with caretwo AHAs in one product — combined acidity, irritation risk
  • Glycolic acid + Salicylic acid (BHA) — use together with careAHA + BHA together dry and irritate; alternate for sensitive skin
  • Hyaluronic acid + Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) — reinforce each othertwo humectants with different action: moisture plus soothing
  • Lactic acid + Hyaluronic acid — reinforce each otherhyaluronate softens the dryness from the acid
  • Glycolic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: AHA acid
  • Aqua (Water base: coating, fillers · water — the solvent and base; listed first because there is more of it than anything else; in supplements — part of the capsule shell
  • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Sodium Hydroxide base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Daucus Carota Sativa Extract base: coating, fillers · plant and algae extracts and floral waters: flavouring and marketing components — at these shares there is no proven effect on the skin; rare reactions in people allergic to that particular plant
  • Propanediol base: coating, fillers · a humectant and solvent from corn sugar: it holds water and helps actives dissolve. A gentler replacement for propylene glycol.
  • Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine base: coating, fillers · a coconut-derived amine: it keeps an acidic formula uniform and helps it spread; on its own it does not exfoliate
  • Salicylic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: salicylic acid
  • Lactic Acid works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: AHA acid
  • Tartaric Acid base: coating, fillers · tune the acidity and texture; salt is a common shampoo thickener
  • Citric Acid base: coating, fillers · acidity regulator
  • Panthenol works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: panthenol
  • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer works · the active ingredient — what the product is for; form: crosspolymer
  • Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract base: coating, fillers · the plant base: emollient oils, waxes and care extracts
  • Glycerin base: coating, fillers · a humectant: coats the tablet, holds moisture in creams and shampoos; does not clog pores
  • Pentylene Glycol base: coating, fillers · humectants and solvents — hold water and help actives dissolve
  • Xanthan Gum base: coating, fillers · hold the texture: gels, creams and foam do not separate
  • Polysorbate 20 base: coating, fillers · cleanse and bind water with oils; milder than the sulfate ones
  • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate base: coating, fillers · bind hard-water metals so the formula stays stable and the foam works
  • Potassium Sorbate base: coating, fillers · a mild preservative against mould and yeast: used both in cosmetics and in foods and supplements (E202).
  • Sodium Benzoate base: coating, fillers · a preservative both in cosmetics and in supplements: a salt of benzoic acid that works in an acidic medium. Permitted as food additive E211 and in cosmetics up to 0.5 %.
  • Ethylhexylglycerin base: coating, fillers · a preservative booster and skin-conditioning ingredient: it barely preserves on its own but helps phenoxyethanol work and lowers the amount needed.
  • 1,2-Hexanediol base: coating, fillers · a solvent and humectant with antimicrobial action: it helps the product keep without classic preservatives.
  • Caprylyl Glycol base: coating, fillers · a humectant that also holds bacteria back, which is why it often replaces part of the preservative.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a product whose active ingredient is glycolic acid + salicylic acid (bha) + lactic acid + panthenol (pro-vitamin b5). The concentration is not declared, but the active sits above the 1 % line in the list — a working share is likely. The effect is supported by studies: glycolic acid, lactic acid. The effect is moderately supported: salicylic acid (bha), panthenol (pro-vitamin b5), hyaluronic acid. The formula has 23 ingredients, 5 of which do the work; the rest is the formula base. Use together with care: glycolic acid + lactic acid; glycolic acid + salicylic acid (bha). Well-matched pairs in the formula: glycolic acid + hyaluronic acid; hyaluronic acid + panthenol (pro-vitamin b5); lactic acid + hyaluronic acid. Bumps and enlarged pores are smoothed by acids (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, PHA, salicylic) — one is enough; niacinamide makes pores less visible, a retinoid renews the skin more deeply. Pores do not “close” — they become less noticeable. By the list, no alcohol (alcohol denat), sulfates (SLS/SLES), formaldehyde releasers, isothiazolinones (MIT/MCI), fragrance, parabens, mineral oils and petrolatum, soap, silicones, gelatin in the coating, toning dyes, tar. Suitable for: adults, oily skin, dry skin, babies, atopic skin. pregnancy, sensitive skin, before sun — ask a doctor. rosacea, eczema, children — not without a doctor. Use: in the evening, 2–3 times a week; SPF in the daytime. When to expect an effect: texture, glow — 2–4 weeks. Label score — 7.8 out of 10 (actives with strong evidence: 2 of 5; after the 1 % line: lactic acid, panthenol (pro-vitamin b5) — the concentration is likely token; for “skin texture and pores” — 75 %; without niacinamide, which makes pores less visible; without a retinoid — it renews the skin deeper than acids; could be added without conflict: niacinamide (vitamin b3); a broad formula across 4 purposes; use together with care: glycolic acid + lactic acid, glycolic acid + salicylic acid (bha)). The brand states: do not apply to broken, irritated or freshly sun-exposed skin; do not leave on for longer than 10 minutes; sun protection is required in the daytime afterwards.

Who it does not suit

  • rosacea, eczemanot on inflamed skin
  • childrenonly if prescribed

When to stop: burning, persistent redness — stop; do not use the same evening as a retinoid; burning, persistent redness — stop; tightness in dry air — apply under a cream

Per the maker's leaflet: The brand states: do not apply to broken, irritated or freshly sun-exposed skin; do not leave on for longer than 10 minutes; sun protection is required in the daytime afterwards.

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