We Tried the TikTok Famous The Ordinary Peel to See If It Actually Works
Odds are you own at least one product you’ve seen on TikTok and it’s highly probable that it’s from The Ordinary. The buzzy Canadian brand offers affordable and effective skincare products that treat any skin type from dry to combination.
One of their most popular launches is the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution, which is a beloved concoction that deeply exfoliates your face. Nervous to try it out? Don’t worry, we did it for you (and spoiler alert: we love it).
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What do I need to know before I try this peel?
If you have any existing skin conditions (like rosacea or eczema), definitely consult your dermatologist before using this. Otherwise, we always recommend doing a patch test behind your ear whenever you’re trying a new product before you apply it to your whole face.
Note that you’re probably going to experience some tingling initially but the sensation should subside after a minute or two. By the way, don’t be intimidated by the dark purple hue of the peel; it won’t stain your fingers or face and rinses off easily.
What is an AHA and a BHA?
AHA stands for alpha hydroxy acid and BHA is beta hydroxy acid. AHAs exfoliate and cleanse excess oil and debris from your skin, which helps prevent breakouts and lighten up dark spots. They also improve your overall skin tone by evening out any discoloration from past scars or sun damage.
BHAs are great for oily skin because they get rid of excess oils and clear out pores. They also have exceptional exfoliation and anti-aging properties making them the perfect partner to AHAs for optimal skin-sloughing.
How do I apply the peel correctly?
First of all, this peel should not be used on a daily basis in hopes to expedite results. Trust me, over-exfoliating is only going to hurt your skin’s natural moisture barrier, which causes more damage to your skin.
Once you cleanse and dry your face, apply an even coat of the peel to your skin and let it sit for up to ten minutes before rinsing it off. (Personally, I prefer to keep it on for seven to eight minutes). Repeat the next week and then you can bump yourself up to twice a week if your skin can tolerate it. (Pro tip: Rinsing with cold water will help reduce the tingling.)
What benefits am I going to experience from using the peel?
The Ordinary AHA + BHA Peeling Solution is ideal for combination, oily and acne-prone skin types. The combo of glycolic and lactic acids fully exfoliate the outer layers of the skin, while the salicylic acid goes deeper into the pores. Use it once to twice a week for gradual improvements in your skin, as the dual exfoliation prevents dirt and bacteria buildup in your pores (which means less breakouts) and the sloughing off of dead skin cells ensures a more glowing complexion. The best part about this product is the fact that it does what a facialist can do for under $10.
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