The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution vs The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution
Both exfoliants contain Glycolic Acid, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.
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.
A 7% glycolic acid toner with aloe, ginseng and Tasmanian pepperberry to temper sting. A cult budget AHA for glow and texture; potent enough that it's a once-every-few-days step, not a daily toner, and demands daytime SPF.
Which should you choose?
Both contain Glycolic Acid. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution adds Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the better fit for dark spots; Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution for congestion. Both sit in the Budget price tier.
What they share
This hero active appears in both formulas:
Ingredient stacks, side by side
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — top of the list
- Aqua (Water)~50–80%
- Aloe Barbadens…~3–10%
- Salicylic Acid2%
Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution — top of the list
- Aqua~50–80%
- Rosa Damascena …~3–10%
- Centaurea Cyanu…~2–6%
- Aloe Barbadensi…~1.5–4%
● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.
The specs
| AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Price tier | Budget | Budget |
| Best for | Rough Texture, Dullness, Dark Spots | Dullness, Rough Texture, Congestion |
| Usage notes | Evening only | Evening only |
| Shared hero actives | Glycolic Acid | |
Common questions
Is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution or The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution better?
What's the difference between The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution?
Are The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution dupes for each other?
Can I use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution together?
Related comparisons
Want a deeper, personalised read? Drop both products into the live comparison tool for an ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown tuned to your skin profile.
Compare these yourself →