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The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for oily acne-prone skin

Superior

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • SuperiorEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best products for oily acne-prone skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Excellent for your oily skin, this formula leverages high concentrations of glycolic acid and salicylic acid to deeply exfoliate and clear pores, effectively addressing your acne and breakouts. Aloe barbadensis leaf water and panthenol provide soothing hydration, balancing the potent actives.
  • The inclusion of lactic acid and citric acid further enhances the exfoliating and skin-refining benefits, contributing to a smoother, clearer complexion for your oily skin.
  • This product is safe for your skin, with no reported irritation risks due to its well-balanced formulation and absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but before your final moisturizer step.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the product directly onto clean, dry skin for the best results against breakouts.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use a daily SPF since exfoliating makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

People Say

★4.4Overall rating based on 8.5k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users with oily, acne-prone, and textured skin frequently praise this product for delivering "baby soft" smoothness and a visible glow after just one use. Reviews consistently warn that the potent formula causes stinging and is unsuitable for sensitive skin, with some users reporting irritation or chemical burns if left on too long.

Highlights

  • Smooths skin texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels baby butt smooth”
    • “face is soft and smooth”
    • “resets my pores”
    • “slough off dry patches”
  • Affordable price Often Mentioned
    • “great value for price”
    • “can't beat the price”
    • “very affordable & effective”
    • “inexpensive skincare brand”
  • Fades acne marks Often Mentioned
    • “scars lightened up quite a bit”
    • “acne subsided quite a bit”
    • “helps with blemishes”
    • “hyperpigmentation reduced”
  • Not for sensitive skin Often Mentioned
    • “irritated AF the next day”
    • “do not use on sensitive skin”
    • “too strong for newbies”
    • “compromised barrier should avoid”
  • Stings or burns Often Mentioned
    • “stings a little but worth it”
    • “uncomfortable tingliness”
    • “face felt like it was burning”
    • “mild stinging sensation”
  • Instant glow/radiance Sometimes Noted
    • “tight, bright and shiny”
    • “nice glow customary of AHA”
    • “skin looked brighter immediately”
    • “wake up with glowy skin”
  • Messy application Sometimes Noted
    • “looks like blood mask”
    • “stains white bath mat”
    • “super messy application”
    • “red color looks dramatic”
  • Causes purging/breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “pimples popped up quickly”
    • “tiny bumps appeared”
    • “broke me out”
    • “purging phase was rough”

Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com, ulta.com, reddit.com, byrdie.com, spacenk.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant treatment is an excellent fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it uses high concentrations of glycolic acid and salicylic acid to deeply exfoliate and clear pores while addressing breakouts. Lactic acid and citric acid help refine your skin for a smoother and clearer complexion, and ingredients like aloe barbadensis leaf water and panthenol provide soothing hydration to balance the strong actives.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant is a great fit because high concentrations of glycolic acid and salicylic acid deeply exfoliate and clear pores to help control breakouts on oily skin. Lactic acid and citric acid further refine your complexion for a smoother look, while aloe leaf water and panthenol add soothing hydration to balance the strong acids.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019

What does Bha do for oily acne-prone skin?

BHA helps clear up breakouts and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing excess oil and calming redness. It works deep inside pores to clear away dirt and oil while keeping skin smooth and comfortable.

BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024

What does Aloe Vera Leaf Water do for oily acne-prone skin?

Aloe Vera Leaf Water helps calm and soothe oily, acne-prone skin while reducing redness and blemishes. It works to improve skin clarity without clogging pores, making it a gentle option for breakouts.

Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2019

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant goes in your evening routine once a week. People who tolerate it well and see good results can carefully use it more often.

Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?

You should use this strong exfoliant on a separate night from your retinol to help prevent irritation and keep your skin calm. Using both powerful treatments together is likely to dry out or irritate your skin.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Use this exfoliating treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often. This helps clear your oily, acne-prone skin while balancing the potent acids with soothing hydration.

Dermatologic Surgery, 2003Dermatologic Surgery, 2006

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores and is one of the best fits for your oily acne-prone skin because high concentrations of glycolic acid and salicylic acid deeply clear pores and address breakouts, while aloe barbadensis leaf water and panthenol soothe your skin. Reviewers rarely report breakouts or purging from it.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019BioMed Research International, 2020

Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, gluconolactone, and licochalcone A combined with 0.1% adapalene showed no hindrance compared to adapalene monotherapy and provided benefits in reducing complications in 25 subjects with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2019
  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020
  • Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.

    CMAJ, 2010
  • Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.

    Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010
  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
  • Topical aloe vera gel significantly accelerated split-thickness skin graft donor-site healing compared to placebo in 12 patients, but showed no significant difference in pain relief.

    Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
  • Topical application of Aloe vera cream reduced postoperative pain at rest and during defecation, accelerated wound healing at two weeks, and decreased analgesic requirements in patients after open hemorrhoidectomy compared to placebo.

    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2010
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019

Ingredients

Glycolic Acid, Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water, Sodium Hydroxide, Daucus Carota Sativa Extract, Propanediol, Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Citric Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Leaf Extract Fruit, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

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Prices checked 16 Oct 2026

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