Side-by-side comparison

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Both exfoliants contain Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.

2Shared hero actives
First Aid Beauty
Facial Radiance Pads
ExfoliantMid-rangeEvening only
DullnessRough TextureSensitivity

Gentle lactic-and-glycolic acid swipe pads with soothing lemon peel and aloe. An easy, low-irritation glow step for sensitive skin new to acids; mild enough to use a few times a week.

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The Ordinary
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
ExfoliantBudgetEvening only
Rough TextureDullnessDark SpotsSensitive skinDamaged barrier

A 10-minute weekly peel at professional strength — glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric and salicylic acids stacked together. Not a daily product; once or twice a week maximum, never on broken or actively irritated skin. The red colour is tasmannia fruit, not blood.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

Both contain Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution adds Salicylic Acid. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads is the better fit for sensitive skin; The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for dark spots. On price, The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the less expensive option (Budget versus Mid-range).

The overlap

What they share

These hero actives appear in both formulas:

Lactic AcidGlycolic Acid
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Glycolic Acid~5–25%
  • Lactic Acid~3–10%
  • Glycerin~2–6%
  • Hamamelis Virgi…~1.5–4%

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — top of the list

  • Aqua (Water)~50–80%
  • Glycolic Acid30%
  • Aloe Barbadens…~3–10%
  • Salicylic Acid2%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance PadsThe Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
CategoryExfoliantExfoliant
Price tierMid-rangeBudget
Best forDullness, Rough Texture, SensitivityRough Texture, Dullness, Dark Spots
Usage notesEvening onlyEvening only
Shared hero activesLactic Acid and Glycolic Acid
Questions

Common questions

Is the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads or The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution better?
It depends on what you're treating. Both contain Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid; The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution adds Salicylic Acid.
What's the difference between the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?
First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads's hero actives are Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Aloe Vera. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution's are Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid. They also sit in different price tiers (Mid-range versus Budget).
Are the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution dupes for each other?
Partly. They share Lactic Acid and Glycolic Acid, but The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution's Salicylic Acid isn't in the other, so they aren't full substitutes.
Can I use the First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution together?
They both fill the exfoliant slot in a routine, so you'd normally pick one. If you like both, use one in the morning and the other at night, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
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1 shared hero active

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