How long before the holiday should I stop?

Leave at least a full week between your last peel and your first beach day. That is a practical application of the sun precautions for alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, rather than a separate holiday schedule. Increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation diminishes after stopping AHAs for a week. Count from the last application, not from when you started using the bottle. Using the peel at night and rinsing it off does not remove the need for precautions over the following week. If you have already used it close to departure, limit sun exposure rather than relying on sunscreen alone.2

The peel targets uneven texture, tone and pore congestion. The Ordinary lists it as a brightening facial exfoliator, not an item on the beach packing checklist.13

What if I have already used the peel?

  • Choose a water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and broad spectrum protection, which covers both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outdoors, rather than waiting until you reach the beach.
  • Use at least 1 teaspoon for your face. Most adults need about 1 ounce to cover exposed skin across the body, with more needed depending on body size.
  • Cover exposed areas including your ears, neck and tops of your feet. Use an SPF 30 or higher lip balm.
  • Reapply every two hours outdoors and immediately after swimming or sweating. Reapply after toweling off too.
  • Seek shade and wear protective clothing, including a wide brimmed hat. No sunscreen filters out all UVB rays.
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Water resistant does not mean waterproof. On US sunscreen labels, water resistance lasts either 40 or 80 minutes in water, so check the stated duration. Those numbers describe protection on wet skin, not permission to forget reapplication after a swim.5

The word "sport" has no FDA defined meaning on sunscreen, so the label's athletic ambitions are not a specification. Choose by the SPF, broad spectrum protection and water resistance instead. Keep these sun protection habits after the week of extra peel precautions has passed, including on cloudy days.45

How should I use the peel away from the holiday?

This peel is only for experienced acid exfoliation users. Do not use it on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin, including sunburned skin. A holiday is not a reason to start it or increase its frequency.1

  1. 1Use it once or twice weekly at most, ideally in the evening.
  2. 2Clean your skin and let it dry completely. Do not apply to wet skin.
  3. 3Apply evenly to the face and neck with your fingertips, avoiding the eye area.
  4. 4Leave it on for no more than 10 minutes.
  5. 5Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, avoiding eye contact during rinsing.
1

Patch test first: apply a small amount to clean skin on the upper forearm, keep the area dry and rinse within the specified application time. Do not use the peel if the test causes redness, burning, itching, blisters or irritation.1

If irritation occurs during use, rinse off the peel, stop using it and consult a doctor. The Ordinary also lists retinoids and other direct acids among products not to use with this peel.1

Where this answer comes from

  1. 1Solution de Peeling AHA 30% + BHA 2%theordinary.com
  2. 2Guidance for Industry: Labeling for Cosmetics Containing Alpha Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
  3. 3Exfoliators | Skincaretheordinary.com
  4. 4How to apply sunscreenaad.org
  5. 5How to decode a sunscreen labelaad.org