The Ordinary
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Low risk75/100
The Ordinary
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Exfoliators
This formula needs extra consideration during pregnancy. Review the flagged ingredients with your healthcare professional.
24 of 24 ingredients rated
Is it suitable during pregnancy?
MamaSkin rates the recorded formula for The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution as Medium risk (58/100). Discuss the flagged ingredients with a qualified healthcare professional before using this formula during pregnancy.
Why this rating? Manual-review explanation
Manual formula review: This is a high-strength at-home chemical exfoliant containing 20% or more combined exfoliating acids, including salicylic acid. Pregnancy safety data for concentrated multi-acid peels are limited. Guidance permitting routine low-concentration topical salicylic or glycolic acid does not directly establish the safety of this concentration and use pattern. As a precaution, MamaSkin classifies this product as Medium Risk and recommends avoiding it during pregnancy unless an obstetrician or dermatologist familiar with your circumstances advises otherwise. The ingredient ratings below assess ingredients individually and do not capture the combined formula strength.
24 of 24 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
How we assess productsIngredient breakdown
The recorded formula, with evidence behind each rating. Unmatched ingredients are marked Not assessed in grey.
Ingredient ratings and evidence
Higher-risk flags first. Open an ingredient for evidence.
Glycolic Acid
Low risk
Alpha-hydroxy acid exfoliant. Listed by MotherToBaby as a common OTC topical acne ingredient used during pregnancy; when used as directed, OTC topical acne treatments are not expected to increase pregnancy complications. For consumer cosmetics, safety guidance commonly frames AHAs as safe at ≤10% (with appropriate pH and daily sun protection). Avoid high-strength/professional peels during pregnancy.
Sources: MotherToBaby: Topical acne treatments in pregnancy and breastfeeding https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582985/
Salicylic Acid
Low risk
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) used for acne, exfoliation and preservation. Common over-the-counter acne strengths are 0.5-2%, including 0.5%, 1% and 2%; the FDA lists this acne-treatment range. Pregnancy guidance distinguishes these topical products from oral salicylates and strong peels. MotherToBaby reports that ACOG allows over-the-counter topical salicylic acid during pregnancy when needed. Only a small amount of topical acne treatment usually reaches the bloodstream through intact skin; exposure can increase with damaged skin, frequent use or treatment of large areas. Direct salicylic-acid-specific pregnancy data remain limited. MamaSkin's Low Risk rating is a dose-and-use precaution, not evidence that ordinary low-strength skincare causes fetal harm or a recommendation to avoid every BHA product. Use as directed on limited areas of intact skin. Discuss strengths above 2%, chemical peels, wart/corn removers, large-area treatment or use under occlusion with your clinician before use during pregnancy. The American Academy of Dermatology specifically advises discussing and limiting higher-strength salicylic acid above 2%. Percentage alone does not establish safety: formulation, area, frequency and skin condition also matter. General cosmetic-use limits are not pregnancy-specific safety thresholds.
Sources: https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/topical-acne-treatments-pregnancy/; https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/pregnancy-skin-care; https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/omuf/monographs/OTC%20Monograph_M006-Topical%20Acne%20drug%20products%20for%20OTC%20Human%20Use%2011.23.2021.pdf; https://health.ec.europa.eu/publications/salicylic-acid-cas-no-69-72-7-ec-no-200-712-3_en; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500675/
Lactic Acid
Low risk
Endogenous alpha-hydroxy acid and humectant; at modest cosmetic concentrations (≈5% and below, and generally <10%) topical lactic acid is considered compatible with pregnancy. Main risks are local irritation and increased photosensitivity rather than systemic toxicity or fetal effects.
Sources: MotherToBaby: Topical acne treatments in pregnancy and breastfeeding https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582985/
Water
No known risks
Water (Aqua) is the standard purified water used as a cosmetic solvent. It has no pregnancy-specific risk in normal topical use.
Sources: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Water, https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/sectors/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-database/cosing-glossary-ingredients_en
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water
No known risks
A botanical extract or plant water used for conditioning, soothing or antioxidant support. Direct pregnancy studies of this exact cosmetic material were not identified, but no reproductive or developmental hazard was identified for normal topical exposure. Oral herbal or medicinal use is outside this classification.
Sources: European Commission CosIng; CIR botanical safety framework and relevant plant-family assessments; no ingredient-specific human pregnancy study of normal topical cosmetic use was identified.
Show all 24 ingredients
Sodium Hydroxide
No known risks
pH adjuster used in very small quantities to balance formulations. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Daucus Carota Sativa Extract
No known risks
No pregnancy-specific harm has been identified for ordinary, correctly formulated topical cosmetic use of daucus carota sativa extract. This is a bounded botanical/extract assessment; direct pregnancy studies of the exact material are limited and oral, medicinal, damaged-skin or aerosol exposure is not included.
Propanediol
No known risks
Solvent and humectant used to improve texture and ingredient solubility. Low systemic exposure expected from topical cosmetic use.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
No known risks
A surfactant, emulsifier or conditioning ingredient used at controlled cosmetic concentrations. Local irritation in strong formulas is the practical concern; no pregnancy-specific systemic or developmental hazard was identified for normal topical or rinse-off exposure.
Sources: European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory; relevant CIR assessments of surfactants, ethoxylated ingredients and quaternary conditioning agents.
Tartaric Acid
No known risks
A naturally occurring hydroxy dicarboxylic acid used mainly to adjust pH, support exfoliation or condition skin. No pregnancy-specific systemic concern was identified for normal topical cosmetic exposure. At sufficiently high concentration or low pH, hydroxy acids can sting, irritate skin and increase sensitivity to other irritants; those local effects depend on the finished formulation rather than indicating reproductive toxicity.
Sources: CIR: Amended Safety Assessment of Malic Acid and Sodium Malate https://www.cir-safety.org/supplementaldoc/amended-safety-assessment-malic-acid-and-sodium-malate-used-cosmetics; CIR assessments of alpha-hydroxy acids as used in cosmetics; European Commission CosIng ingredient inventory for Malic Acid and Tartaric Acid.
Citric Acid
No known risks
pH adjuster used in small amounts to maintain product stability. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Panthenol
No known risks
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) is used for soothing and barrier support and is generally well tolerated, with no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
No known risks
Crosslinked hyaluronate humectant used to support hydration at the skin surface. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Hyaluronates as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
No known risks
No pregnancy-specific harm is established for ordinary topical cosmetic exposure to tasmannia lanceolata fruit/leaf extract. Polygodial/irritation and possible constituent variation, no reproductive endpoint. Direct human pregnancy data and the exact finished-product concentration are limited; this does not assess oral or medicinal-strength use.
Glycerin
No known risks
Glycerin is a widely used humectant that supports hydration and the skin barrier, with a long safety record and no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns in topical cosmetic use.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Pentylene Glycol
No known risks
Humectant and preservative booster. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure.
Sources: Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US); Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU)
Xanthan Gum
No known risks
Natural polysaccharide thickener used for stability and texture. Not associated with pregnancy-specific concerns.
Sources: European cosmetics regulatory framework
Polysorbate 20
No known risks
Nonionic surfactant and solubiliser used to disperse oils and fragrance. Reviewed cosmetic safety sources support normal topical use, with no pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific topical signal identified in the material reviewed.
Sources: CIR: Safety Assessment of Polysorbates as Used in Cosmetics; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
No known risks
Chelating ingredient used to improve formula stability by binding trace metals. Reviewed cosmetic ingredient references do not identify a pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific concern for normal topical use.
Sources: CIR cosmetic ingredient safety references for chelating agents; EU CosIng / cosmetics regulatory inventory
Potassium Sorbate
No known risks
Preservative widely used in foods and cosmetics. Considered safe at regulated concentrations with low systemic exposure from topical use.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Sodium Benzoate
No known risks
Preservative widely used in foods and cosmetics. Considered safe at regulated concentrations with low systemic exposure from topical use.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); European cosmetics regulatory framework
Ethylhexylglycerin
No known risks
Preservative booster and skin-conditioning agent. Considered safe for cosmetic use with low systemic exposure when used as intended.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US)
1,2-Hexanediol
No known risks
1,2-Hexanediol is commonly used as a solvent and preservative booster; topical exposure is low and it has no known pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns at cosmetic concentrations, though very sensitive skin may occasionally react.
Sources: CIR; EU/UK Cosmetics Regulation
Caprylyl Glycol
No known risks
Humectant and preservative booster used to support product stability. Low systemic exposure expected from topical cosmetic use.
Sources: Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (EU); Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US)
Full recorded ingredient list
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 Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol
Ingredient ratings refreshed 1 October 2026. Formulas vary by market and can change. Always compare with your packaging.
Questions about this assessment
Why does The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution have a Medium risk rating?
Manual formula review: This is a high-strength at-home chemical exfoliant containing 20% or more combined exfoliating acids, including salicylic acid. Pregnancy safety data for concentrated multi-acid peels are limited. Guidance permitting routine low-concentration topical salicylic or glycolic acid does not directly establish the safety of this concentration and use pattern. As a precaution, MamaSkin classifies this product as Medium Risk and recommends avoiding it during pregnancy unless an obstetrician or dermatologist familiar with your circumstances advises otherwise. The ingredient ratings below assess ingredients individually and do not capture the combined formula strength. The product score is a stored assessment, not a clinical safety guarantee.
Does this glycolic acid assessment also cover professional peels?
No. Glycolic Acid appears in this recorded cosmetic formula. The score does not establish suitability for a stronger peel, a different concentration or a professional treatment. Concentration, formulation and how a product is used matter; compare your packaging with this full ingredient list and read the recorded Glycolic Acid evidence below.
Has every ingredient in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution been assessed?
24 of 24 ingredient entries on this page have a recorded score, evidence summary and source text. That describes documentation coverage, not proof that the finished formula has been clinically tested during pregnancy.
Does this assessment apply to my The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?
Only if the ingredient list on your packaging matches the recorded formula shown here. Formulas can differ by market and change over time. Compare the full list, not just the product name; report a mismatch if it differs.
Does this pregnancy assessment also establish breastfeeding suitability?
No. This page presents a pregnancy-focused product assessment. Do not infer a breastfeeding conclusion from its score or label; breastfeeding requires a separate assessment of the formula and how it is used.
