AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
A powerful weekly chemical peel with 30% AHAs (glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric) and 2% BHA (salicylic acid). Dramatically improves texture, fades scars, and unclogs pores. Not for beginners or sensitive skin.
Score breakdown
Efficacy
Safety
Comedogenicity
Transparency
Skin-type fit
Strengths
- Extremely effective exfoliation
- Multi-acid blend for comprehensive results
- Transparent concentrations
- Exceptional value
Weaknesses
- Too strong for sensitive skin
- Risk of chemical burn if misused
- Increases sun sensitivity dramatically
- Max 10 minutes, once per week only
Full ingredient list
Best for
Our full review
The blood-red peeling solution that broke TikTok. This is NOT a beginner product, and the viral videos of people using it for the first time without patch-testing are genuinely concerning. 30% AHA (glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric acids) + 2% BHA (salicylic acid) is a professional-strength chemical peel you can buy for 8 EUR. Used correctly (10 minutes max, once per week), it delivers results comparable to a 50-100 EUR in-office peel. Used incorrectly, it will give you a chemical burn. The red color comes from Tasmanian pepperberry, which actually has anti-inflammatory properties to offset some of the irritation. Clever formulation. But respect the product: this is acid on your face.
How to use
On clean, DRY skin (never wet - water dilutes pH and causes uneven penetration). Apply an even layer avoiding eye area, lips, and any broken skin. Set a timer for MAX 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Follow with a gentle moisturiser (CeraVe, Cicaplast). Use ONCE per week ONLY. Do NOT use on the same day as retinol, vitamin C, or any other acid. SPF is MANDATORY for the next 7 days.
Who is it for?
ONLY for: experienced acid users, people who have already used AHAs at lower concentrations, those with resilient non-sensitive skin. NEVER for: beginners, sensitive skin, rosacea, broken/sunburned skin, anyone not using SPF daily.
What to expect
During: tingling that intensifies (remove immediately if it burns). After: redness for 1-4 hours (normal). Next morning: smoother, brighter skin. Over weeks: reduced acne scars, more even skin tone, improved texture. Warning: if you see white patches during use, that's a chemical burn - rinse IMMEDIATELY.
Common mistakes
1. Using more than once per week. 2. Leaving on longer than 10 minutes. 3. Applying to wet skin. 4. Using with retinol the same week. 5. Not patch-testing first. 6. Skipping SPF after. 7. Buying it because you saw it on TikTok without understanding acids.
FAQ
Is the blood-red color normal?
How it compares
Completely different intensity levels. Paula's Choice 2% BHA is for daily/weekly maintenance. The Ordinary Peeling is a once-weekly intensive treatment. Use PC BHA for ongoing pore care. Use TO Peeling for monthly deep resurfacing. They complement each other rather than compete.