The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution vs The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Both exfoliants contain Salicylic 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 straightforward 2% BHA in a lightweight watery base with a little witch hazel. Effective pore and blackhead exfoliation at a rock-bottom price; the simple base means less of the soothing buffer found in pricier BHAs.
Which should you choose?
Both contain Salicylic Acid. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution adds Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. Salicylic Acid 2% Solution adds Witch Hazel. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the better fit for rough texture, dullness and dark spots; Salicylic Acid 2% Solution for congestion, oiliness and acne. 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%
- Glycolic Acid30%
- Aloe Barbadens…~3–10%
Salicylic Acid 2% Solution — top of the list
- Aqua~50–80%
- Hamamelis Virgi…~3–10%
- Propanediol~2–6%
- Glycerin~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 | Salicylic Acid 2% Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Price tier | Budget | Budget |
| Best for | Rough Texture, Dullness, Dark Spots | Congestion, Oiliness, Acne |
| Usage notes | Evening only | Evening only |
| Shared hero actives | Salicylic Acid | |
Common questions
Is The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution or The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution better?
What's the difference between The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution?
Are The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution dupes for each other?
Can I use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution together?
Related comparisons
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