Contents
CosmeticFountain approved dossier · United Kingdom · High-strength rinse-off acid exfoliant
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The Ordinary · open formula and AHA-BHA ingredient/category evidence · Methodology v3.1
Published on: 2026-07-14
Approved productVery high-strength rinse-off exfoliant for experienced acid users only: never more than 10 minutes, at most once or twice weekly, on intact dry skin, with reinforced sun protection
Skin already highly accustomed to acids and seeking an occasional rinse-off exfoliant for the appearance of texture and tone
Consider only if your skin already tolerates acids well, you can respect a very short contact time, and you are prepared to stop as soon as irritation appears.
Score by pillar
Claims: what the evidence supports
| Brand promise | Verdict | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Combines 30% AHA and 2% BHA in a rinse-off formula stated at pH 3.50–3.70 | Supported, within a narrow frame | The official Swiss page identifies the SKU, concentrations, pH, five exfoliating acids and maximum contact time. The independent INCI page, marked as an older version, corroborates the acid architecture but does not by itself confirm the current Swiss batch. |
| May temporarily smooth the appearance of texture and make tone look more even in acid-tolerant skin | Supported, within a narrow frame | A comparative trial of 20–50% glycolic peels and a clinical AHA review report possible effects on visible signs. Professional protocols and formulas differ, so this support is not proof of a result from this product. |
| Requires brief, infrequent use, thorough rinsing and sun protection during use and for the following week | Supported, within a narrow frame | The official page limits use to once or twice weekly and 10 minutes on intact skin, followed by thorough rinsing. The FDA documents irritation, burns and increased UV sensitivity with AHAs and recommends sun protection. |
| Provides results comparable to an in-office peel without downtime | Not corroborated | This promise appears on the brand page, but no opened independent publication tests this SKU against a professional peel. The retained studies use different acids, concentrations, protocols and qualified supervision. |
| Suitable for sensitive or barrier-impaired skin without irritation risk | Not demonstrated | The brand explicitly excludes sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. Safety sources describe possible pain, redness, peeling, burns and sun sensitivity with glycolic/AHA peels. |
| Addresses acne, melasma or another skin condition | Out of scope | The Cochrane review rates much of the salicylic-acid and AHA evidence for acne as low or very low quality. No opened trial shows that this finished product addresses a condition; the dossier remains strictly cosmetic. |
What the evidence does not show. The evidence does not allow the promise to be extended beyond the measured criteria.
Formulation
An INCI reading and the coherence of the formula with the headline promise. Ingredients can support the plausibility of a formula; they are no substitute for evidence on the finished product.
INCI — key actives and filters
- Glycolic Acid
- Salicylic Acid
- Lactic Acid
- Tartaric Acid
- Citric Acid
- Panthenol
Safety and precautions
The formula states 30% AHA and 2% BHA at pH 3.50–3.70, above the FDA-cited 10% AHA benchmark for consumer leave-on products. It is rinsed off, but its strength, burn or irritation risk and sun sensitivity require particular caution. No opened independent trial studies this finished SKU.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: seek professional or pharmacy advice before use, particularly with a device or a potentially irritating active.
Take care if: damaged skin, persistent irritation, photosensitivity, ongoing dermatological care.
Usage advice
Follow the product label. Pair when relevant with simple barrier care and suitable sun protection.
Sources
- https://theordinary.com/en-ch/aha-30-bha-2-peeling-solution-exfoliator-100400.html · Opened Swiss brand source — The Ordinary Switzerland page opened on 2026-07-14, HTTP 200; confirms SKU, 30% AHA, 2% BHA, pH 3.50–3.70, INCI, experienced-user restriction, 10-minute maximum and UV warning. Not independent.
- https://incidecoder.com/products/the-ordinary-aha-30-bha-2-peeling-solution-2 · Historical independent INCI reading — INCI Decoder opened on 2026-07-14, HTTP 200 after redirect; corroborates glycolic, salicylic, lactic, tartaric and citric acids, but the page is marked discontinued and does not prove the current Swiss formula.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19146601/ · Split-face glycolic-peel trial — PubMed and eFetch opened, HTTP 200, DOI 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2008.00403.x / PMID 19146601; 50 volunteers, escalating 20–50% glycolic concentrations under a supervised 12-week protocol, not SKU-specific.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33070326/ · Controlled 35% glycolic trial — PubMed and eFetch opened, HTTP 200, DOI 10.1111/ajd.13486 / PMID 33070326; randomised split-face trial in 126 people with phototypes IV–V, useful for pain, redness and rinsing after 35% glycolic acid, not product efficacy.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32356369/ · Cochrane review of acids and acne — PubMed and eFetch opened, HTTP 200, DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD011368.pub2 / PMID 32356369; 49 trials and 3,880 participants, with often low- or very-low-quality evidence for salicylic acid/AHAs in acne.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39050562/ · Clinical and regulatory AHA review — PubMed and eFetch opened, HTTP 200, DOI 10.2147/CCID.S453243 / PMID 39050562; review of uses, texture, luminosity, irritation, concentration and pH without a finished-product trial.
- https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids · FDA safety information — FDA page opened on 2026-07-14, HTTP 200; documents possible irritation, burns and sun sensitivity and cites 10% AHA, pH ≥3.5 and sun protection as consumer benchmarks. The assessed rinse-off product states 30% AHA.
Comparison
If the product does not match your profile, compare only with other CosmeticFountain approved dossiers.
Anthelios UVMune 400 SPF50+ (Fluide Invisible) · 92/100
Anti-Pigment Dual Serum · 86/100
Affiliation and editorial independence
Retailer links may be affiliate links. They change neither inclusion, nor score, nor order. Display order takes account of price, UK availability and the confidence level of the data.
Analysis trace
AI-audited under CosmeticFountain methodology v3.1.
Expert profiles drawn on for this product: 43.
Analysis reference: run-20260714