Why is my face red after The Ordinary Peeling Solution?

Why does the peel cause redness?

The formula combines 30% alpha hydroxy acids, or AHAs, with 2% beta hydroxy acid, or BHA. It is intended for experienced acid users, not beginners or sensitive, peeling or damaged skin. The peel exfoliates the skin's surface and pores, so "Peeling Solution" is unusually clear about the job description.2

Glycolic acid can cause temporary irritation, particularly on sensitive skin. Contact dermatitis means a skin reaction caused by something touching the skin; irritation and allergy can both cause it. An allergic reaction can include redness, itching and swelling. Those symptoms overlap, so redness alone is not enough to identify the cause.13

What should I do now?

1. 1Rinse off any remaining peel thoroughly with lukewarm water. Do not wait for the timer if irritation occurs.
2. 2Stop using the peel. Do not apply it again to test whether your face has recovered.
3. 3Apply a cool compress or petroleum jelly if needed to relieve the reaction.
4. 4For subsequent cleansing, use a gentle cleanser and follow with a gentle moisturizer.
5. 5Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing and limit sun exposure for the week after using the peel.

General chemical peel aftercare focuses on helping the skin barrier, the protective outer layer, recover. Aftercare means gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen, not auditioning the rest of the bathroom shelf. If flaking develops, do not pick at it: picking delays healing and can cause scarring.56

How long should the redness last?

There is no fixed recovery time for redness after this particular product. As general guidance, mild redness and occasional swelling after a superficial chemical peel usually settle within 48 hours. Other chemical peels can cause redness, flaking and sensitivity for longer, depending on their strength. Do not treat those recovery times as permission to ignore a reaction to this bottle.56

The Ordinary tells you to consult a physician if irritation occurs. Seek dermatology care for a severe reaction that is not relieved by cool compresses or petroleum jelly. If facial redness lasts more than two weeks, make a dermatologist appointment; that threshold is not a reason to delay care for a severe reaction. A dermatologist can also investigate an unclear trigger, including through medical patch testing for allergy.134

Check how you used the peel

The directions specify clean, completely dry, unbroken skin, ideally in the evening, once or twice weekly. Never apply it to wet skin, leave it on longer than 10 minutes or use it on sensitive, peeling or compromised skin. Keep it away from the eyes during application and rinsing. These are use limits, not instructions to restart after irritation.4

Check the rest of your routine too. The Ordinary lists retinoids, other direct acids and direct vitamin C among products not to use with this peel. General peel guidance also cautions that recent use of retinol, prescription tretinoin or adapalene can make a peel act more deeply. If you use a prescription retinoid, discuss the peel with your prescriber rather than changing your medicine yourself.25

Would a patch test make it safe to try again?

A home test can help predict a reaction, but it is not a reason to retry a product that already irritated your face. For testing before first use, The Ordinary specifies a small amount on clean upper forearm skin, kept dry and rinsed within the product's application time. Do not use the product if redness, burning, itching, blistering or irritation develops. Do not apply a general twice daily product testing schedule to this peel.12