How to Use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is one of the most talked-about skincare products on the internet — and one of the most misused. Its dramatic red colour, intense exfoliating power, and low price tag have made it a social media phenomenon. Used correctly, it delivers real, visible results. Used incorrectly, it can seriously irritate and damage the skin.

This guide covers everything you need to know: what it does, how to use it safely, how often to use it, what to avoid, and how the Skincare Routine app takes the guesswork out of timing and scheduling.

What is it?

The AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is a leave-on chemical exfoliant. It contains:

30% AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) — primarily Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. AHAs work on the skin's surface to dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, improving texture, tone, and brightness.
2% BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) — Salicylic Acid. BHA is oil-soluble, meaning it can penetrate into pores to clear congestion and reduce blackheads.
Hyaluronic Acid crosspolymer — to offer some hydration and reduce the harshness of the formula.
Tasmanian pepperberry — included to help reduce irritation from the high acid concentration.

The red colour comes from black carrot and tartrazine — it's entirely cosmetic, though it does make it very clear when the product has been fully rinsed off.

What does it do for your skin?

Used consistently and correctly, the Peeling Solution can:

Significantly improve skin texture and smoothness
Even out skin tone and target dullness
Reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots
Help with congestion and blackheads (thanks to the Salicylic Acid)
Gently resurface the outer layer of the skin over time

Results typically become visible after three to five uses over several weeks. It is not an overnight fix, but it is one of the more reliably effective over-the-counter exfoliants available.

How to use it: step by step

Step 1: Apply to clean, dry skin

Always apply to a freshly cleansed face. The skin must be dry — not damp. If your skin is still slightly wet from cleansing, the acids will spread unevenly and the already-high concentration may feel considerably more intense.

Do not use a toner, essence, or any other product before the Peeling Solution.

Step 2: Apply a thin, even layer to the face only

Use your fingertips or the provided applicator. Apply a thin, even layer to the face, avoiding:

The eye area (including under-eye skin)
The lips
Any broken, inflamed, or sensitised skin

Do not apply to the neck or chest on your first uses — these areas are often more sensitive than the face.

Step 3: Leave on for no more than 10 minutes

This is critical. The Peeling Solution is designed to be left on for up to 10 minutes — no longer. Do not leave it on overnight. Do not assume more time means better results. More time means more irritation.

If it is your first time using it, consider starting with just 5 minutes and building up to 10 over subsequent uses.

If you feel intense burning, tingling, or discomfort during those 10 minutes, rinse it off immediately. Some mild tingling is normal; significant burning is not.

Step 4: Rinse thoroughly

Rinse off completely with lukewarm water. No need for a second cleanser — just water.

Step 5: Continue with your usual routine

After rinsing, continue with your normal PM routine, but keep it simple after an acid peel. A hydrating serum (such as Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5) and a moisturiser are ideal. Avoid applying retinoids, other actives, or any other exfoliants in the same session.

How often should you use it?

Maximum twice per week. DECIEM recommends this as the upper limit, and this limit is built into the Skincare Routine app as the default weekly maximum.

For most people, once a week is an excellent starting point. If your skin responds well with no redness, dryness, or sensitivity after several weeks, you can move to twice a week.

Do not use it every day. The 30% AHA concentration is very high. Daily use will over-exfoliate, damage your skin barrier, and cause long-term sensitivity.

What to expect: use by use

A realistic timeline for someone starting at once per week:

Uses 1–2: Tingling during the 10 minutes. Possible mild pinkness for 30–60 minutes after rinsing. Skin may feel smoother the following morning. No dramatic visible change yet — this is normal.

Uses 3–5: Texture improvements become more consistent. Skin tone looks more even across the days following each use. Dullness noticeably reduced. Congestion and blackheads gradually decreasing.

Uses 6–8 (6–8 weeks at once per week): Visible improvement in hyperpigmentation, skin texture, and pore appearance. At this stage, most people considering a side-by-side photo comparison will see a measurable difference.

This is also when most people consider moving to twice per week. Only do so if your skin is responding with no ongoing sensitivity between uses. If you're still experiencing dryness or tightness three or four days after each session, stay at once per week.

How your skin should feel — and red flags

Normal reactions (continue)

Tingling or mild stinging during the 10 minutes: expected. The acid concentration is working. This should not escalate.
Slight pinkness for 30–60 minutes after rinsing: normal.
Mild sensitivity the following day: Possible, particularly in early uses. Avoid other actives (retinoids, other acids) for 24 hours after use.
Light flaking 24–48 hours later: The treated outer layer of skin shedding. Follow with a good moisturiser. This is not damage — it is the mechanism working.

Red flags: stop and reassess

Burning that escalates after the first 3–5 minutes, rather than staying steady or calming: rinse off immediately.
Significant redness that persists more than 2–3 hours after rinsing.
Swelling, itching, or hive-like reactions: Possible allergic reaction — stop use entirely.
Raw or weeping skin: Severe over-exfoliation. Apply plain moisturiser, avoid all actives for several days, and seek medical advice if it does not improve within 48 hours.

The distinction between "working correctly" and "too much" is usually obvious. Effective use should feel like a definite but manageable tingle — not a burn. If you have never used chemical exfoliants before, Lactic Acid 5% or Mandelic Acid 10% + HA are significantly gentler starting points. Working up to the Peeling Solution over two to three months of lighter acid use is the right approach.

The conflicts: what not to use at the same time

The Peeling Solution is a direct acid product. It must not be used in the same session as:

Retinoids (Retinol, Granactive Retinoid) — Combining strong exfoliating acids with retinoids in the same session causes over-exfoliation and barrier damage. Use them on separate nights.
Vitamin C (pure/direct forms) — Can cause significant irritation.
Copper Peptides — Direct acids conflict with copper peptide chemistry.
Other acid exfoliants — Do not layer multiple AHA/BHA products in the same session.
EUK 134 — Strong acids destroy the EUK 134 antioxidant enzyme.

A simple way to organise this: dedicate two nights per week to the Peeling Solution (say, Tuesday and Friday), and use your retinoid on the other nights (Monday, Wednesday). The Skincare Routine app can set this scheduling up for you automatically.

Who should not use it

Beginners to chemical exfoliation. If you have never used an AHA or BHA product before, start with something gentler — Lactic Acid 5% or Mandelic Acid 10% + HA are better entry points. Build up to the Peeling Solution over several months.
Anyone with compromised, broken, or sensitised skin. Do not use during an active breakout with pustules or if your skin barrier is already damaged.
Anyone with nut allergies. The formula contains a macadamia nut derivative — check the full ingredient list if you have known nut sensitivities.
During pregnancy. High-concentration AHA use is generally advised against during pregnancy.

Important note from The Ordinary: This product is not suitable for people with sensitive skin. Seek medical advice before using this product if you have a skin condition.

The 10-minute timer in the Skincare Routine app

The Skincare Routine app includes a built-in wait time timer for the Peeling Solution. When you tick it off in your PM routine, the app automatically starts a 10-minute countdown. You'll receive a notification when time is up — a reminder to rinse.

This is one of the features in the app that people notice immediately: rather than setting a separate phone timer, the routine manages the timing for you as part of your normal workflow.

Similarly, the conflict detection will flag your retinoid as unavailable on a Peeling Solution night, so you cannot accidentally layer them together.

The app also tracks your usage history — showing you the last six days at a glance — so it's always clear whether it's been three or four days since you last used it, helping you stay within the recommended twice-weekly maximum.

Download it at skincareroutine.app.

Summary


Frequency	Max 2x per week
Leave on	5–10 minutes (rinse off — never leave overnight)
Apply to	Dry, clean face; avoid eyes, lips, broken skin
Use in	PM only
Do not combine with	Retinoids, Copper Peptides, pure Vitamin C, other acids
Always follow with	SPF the next morning
Not suitable for	Beginners, sensitive skin, nut allergies, pregnancy

The Peeling Solution is powerful — and that's exactly why it deserves respect. Used twice a week, within the 10-minute limit, on conflict-free nights, it is one of the most effective and affordable exfoliants you can buy.