Apply evenly across the face and neck using fingertips. Do not use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes both during application and rinse off. Leave on for no more than 10 minutes.
Generally, you should wait at least 30 minutes between applying an AHA and using a moisturiser. Give your skin time to absorb the AHA and let it do its magic before layering on additional products.
For now completely stop using it till your skin properly recovers. Try using a gentle moisturizer like Cetaphil to soothe it and help repair the skin barrier. Do not use any other exfoliating product or ingredient on it and also avoid other actives like Salicylic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide, Hyaluronic acid etc.
Exfoliating acids, like salicylic acid (BHA) and glycolic acid (an AHA), work best when kept in room temperature conditions.
Do not apply on wet skin. Next, apply the product evenly like a mask across your face and neck using your fingertips, avoiding the eye area, and leave it on for no more than ten minutes. Lastly, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes during application and rinse off.
Wet skin leads to irritation with acids, so it's better to let your skin dry before applying your product (at least a few minutes or even 30 minutes if you want to be sure). – acids products are more effective on the skin with a low pH.
Avoid applying a chemical sunscreen immediately after using The Ordinary's AHA BHA peel. Although protecting our skin after we exfoliate is essential, some people can be sensitive to chemical sun protectants like the avobenzone and oxybenzone.
Apply evenly across the face and neck using fingertips. Do not use on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin. Avoid the eye contour and contact with eyes both during application and rinse off. Leave on for no more than 10 minutes.
Alpha hydroxy acids begin to work almost immediately when formulated in leave-on formats (toners, liquid exfoliants) to reveal brighter, glowy skin. It takes a bit longer, about 2-4 months, to visibly recognize AHA-related anti-aging benefits, like a decrease in appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (4).
Don't mix: AHAs and BHAs should not be used with retinol products as this can cause irritation. Additionally, these ingredients should not be mixed with vitamin C products as this can also irritate your skin.
Around the third day, you may start to see the initial signs of peeling. Your skin might appear dry and flaky, and small pieces may begin to shed. This is a normal part of the process as the old skin is being replaced by new skin underneath.
Although our AHA BHA Exfoliating Serum is gentle and soothing – you shouldn't reach out for it more than thrice a week. Using the serum daily can lead to over-exfoliation which zaps natural oils from the dermis. It can make your skin dry, and uncomfortably tight and even cause inflammation.
Choose products specifically tailored for use under the eyes—check labels to make sure there's no warning against using the product near the eyes. Only exfoliate the skin under the eyes and on the corners where crow's feet form, not the eyelids or directly under the lash line.
Serum and Moisturizer: 1 minute
Goldenberg's go-to recommendation for timing between serums and moisturizers is about one minute. This wait has the same reasoning: Sixty seconds — give or take — gives each product a moment to delve into your pores.
Be aware of how long you leave the chemical peel on your skin. One of the most common mistakes people make with at-home chemical peels is over-exfoliating the skin, or leaving the solution on the skin for too long. This can cause skin irritation, redness, and even scarring.
Generally we recommend following up with a hydrating serum, oil or cream and avoiding the use of other direct acids, Vitamin C or Retinol—and always remember SPF 🤍
It is backed by powerful ingredients, such as 10% Glycolic Acid, 10% Lactic Acid, 10% Mandelic Acid, and 2% Salicylic Acid, which initiates the deep exfoliation in just 10 minutes. It promotes multi-level exfoliation, evens out the skin, tightens pores, and lightens hyperpigmentation.
However, let me just say the purge is REAL! The first two applications lead to a few deep zits around my chin, which is an area I usually break out in. On the plus side, these resolved much faster than usual. The formula also brought a few stubborn pimples to head overnight, which is practically unheard of.
AHA and BHA acids are ingredients that have an exfoliating effect, so it is important that the skin is properly moisturized after using them to avoid irritation and dryness. It is recommended to use products containing hyaluronic acid, aloe or bisabolol, ceramides or squalane.
Out of all the peels available, the glycolic peel penetrates your skin the deepest, so it's the best one for exfoliation. This is due to glycolic acid's small molecular structure, which allows it to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin. It's also good for bringing a healthy glow back to aging skin.
It depends on the product you're using and the ingredients. Generally, chemical exfoliants are applied to dry skin and then washed off with warm or cold water. If you're using a physical exfoliant on your body in the shower, exfoliating wet skin is much easier.
With both BHA and AHA performing exfoliation on the skin it is considered best to team them with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, squalene, or glycerin.