A Closer Look at Our Red Peeling Solution

The vampire facial. The blood mask. Our AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution has as many nicknames as it has benefits. While its aliases might sound intimidating, an exfoliating mask this effective deserves a closer look.

To help you better understand if this product is right for your skin, let’s explore how the formulation works, who it’s designed for, and how to use it safely for the best possible results.

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What is AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is an at-home exfoliating facial, formulated to:

  • Reveal a brighter complexion

  • Help even the look of skin texture

  • Help prevent pore congestion

  • Improve the look of uneven skin tone and discolouration

Due to its high concentration of free acids, the AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is designed to leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off. It is not an overnight mask or serum, and we recommend using it no more than two times per week.

Over the past decade, consumers have been increasingly exploring professional treatments to target stubborn skin concerns, like uneven tone and texture. Between 2018 and 2022, there was a 58% rise in non-surgical procedures*, which include treatments like chemical acid peels for high-strength exfoliation. While effective, these treatments can also be highly expensive. That’s why we created an accessible alternative to in-clinic chemical peels.

*Aesthetics industry UK statistics 2023

Ingredient Deep Dive: What’s the Difference Between AHA and BHA?

There are two main types of chemical exfoliants:

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs):

Water-soluble acids known for improving texture and tone and reducing the appearance of dark spots.

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs):

Oil-soluble acids that work both on your skin's surface and inside pores, which makes them particularly effective for oily, blemish-prone skin.

While both exfoliants have unique properties and benefits, they work together to target multiple skin concerns.

If you’re new to exfoliation, it might help to understand more about how exfoliating ingredients work. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface layer of your skin. One of the more gentle and effective ways to do this is through chemical exfoliation, which uses ingredients to dissolve the bonds (or “glue”) that hold dead skin cells together. This guide explains more if you’d like to go deeper on AHAs, BHAs, and other types of skin exfoliants.

Now that we know a bit more about exfoliating ingredients, let’s return to AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. This advanced formulation combines 5 exfoliating acids, at a total of 32% concentration, to offer high-strength exfoliation both on the skin’s surface and within pores. These acids include:

  • AHAs (Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric, Citric Acid): This blend, which makes up the 30% AHA concentration, works on the skin's surface to help brighten and smooth. Glycolic acid is the primary AHA in the formula.

  • BHA (Salicylic Acid): The 2% salicylic acid exfoliates within pores to prevent congestion, blackheads, and pimples.

The formulation also contains Tasmanian Pepperberry, which helps support skin tolerance of direct acids, and Black Carrot, which provides antioxidant supportand gives the product its vibrant colour. The bold shade of red serves as a visual queue that the product has been rinsed off fully.

Who is AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution For?

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is an advanced-level peel. It’s designed for experienced users of acid exfoliation.

This product is likely not for you if:

  • You’re new to exfoliation

  • Your skin is ultra-sensitive

  • You have a compromised skin barrier

Remember, your skin is unique, which means not every product is going to be the right one for you. When it comes to high-strength formulations like this one, it’s important to understand your skin type and core concerns before diving into a new treatment.

If you’re an exfoliation beginner, our lower strength direct acid formulations are a good place to start. Products like Mandelic Acid 10% + HA or Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner provide gentle exfoliation through a slower, more balanced distribution of direct acids.

However, if you have experience with chemical exfoliation, AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution can be extremely effective at targeting:

For best results, and to protect your skin barrier, it’s important to use the product in a safe, intentional way.

Step-by-Step: How to Use It Safely and Effectively
Before Applying

Patch testing is recommended for this product.

  1. Apply a small amount onto a clean area of skin on your upper forearm.

  2. Rinse the product off after 10 minutes. If you experience any redness, burning, itching, blistering, or irritation at any time throughout the test, do not use the product.

How to Apply 

  1. After cleansing, make sure your skin is completely dry.

  2. Using your fingers, apply a thin layer to the skin. Avoid the eye area.

  3. Keep the product on for no more than 10 minutes, and use it no more than 2 times per week. Any longer, and you risk irritation or compromising your skin barrier. For your first few times using the product, you might want to start with an even shorter duration.

  4. After 10 minutes, rinse the product off completely, being careful not to get any in your eyes.

After Applying

Avoid other strong ingredients, like retinoids, vitamin C, and other direct acids. Combining these ingredients in the same morning or evening routine can damage the skin barrier and lead to complications like dryness and irritation.


Instead, pair AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution with hydrating serums, creams, and oils, or soothing treatments like Soothing & Barrier Support Serum.

FAQs

If you’re new to exfoliation, we do not recommend using this product. Start with a lower strength formulation, like Mandelic Acid 10% + HA.

Yes, it is designed for most skin tones and types. However, if you have sensitive skin or a compromised barrier, you should not use this product.

If you are an experienced user of direct acids and apply the product as directed, it should not damage your skin barrier. However, there is an increased risk of damage if you have sensitive skin, if you’re new to direct acids, or if you use the product longer or more frequently than intended. Learn more about caring for your skin barrier here.

No, we do not recommend using this product if you have sensitive skin.

We highly recommend applying an SPF after using this peeling solution to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Our UV Filters SPF 45 Serum is a broad-spectrum, lightweight sunscreen that offers daily SPF 45 protection against sun damage. It also contains ceramides to support the skin’s moisture barrier.

Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are oil-soluble acids that exfoliate the skin. They work both on your skin’s surface and inside pores, which makes them effective at targeting blemishes, dullness, uneven texture, and other signs of congestion. The most common BHA used in skincare is salicylic acid.

Both AHAs and BHAs are effective chemical exfoliants. One is not “better” than the other, but they do target slightly different skin concerns. AHAs help improve texture and tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots, while BHAs get into the pores to target oily skin concerns, like signs of congestion. If you have oily, blemish-prone skin, you might lean more towards BHAs. However, using formulations that combine both BHAs and AHAs is useful for targeting multiple skin concerns at once.

An Effective Peel For Experienced Users

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution isn’t for everyone. But for those who have experience with exfoliating acids and are committed to using the product correctly, the results are noticeable.

Through a high concentration of exfoliating acids, this peel is specifically formulated to reveal brighter, more even-looking skin, while minimizing pore congestion and smoothing uneven texture.


If you think AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution might be right for you, click here to try it.