If you’re looking to rejuvenate your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, a chemical peel is one of the most effective ways to do so. A glycolic peel is a type of chemical peel that uses alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) to help speed up cell turnover, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reveal brighter skin. Glycolic peels are also used to treat dark spots and acne.
Glycolic peels are more gentle than deeper peels, which makes them great for mature skin. Peels can be done in-office by a professional or at home using an exfoliating acid peel. If you’re interested in trying a glycolic peel for mature skin, read on for everything you need to know about how they work, the best ingredients to look for, and some tips and tricks on how to apply it safely. In this guide, we review the Best Glycolic Peel For Mature Skin, best chemical peel for deep wrinkles at home, Are chemical peels good for mature skin, and best drugstore chemical peel.
You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on Best Glycolic Peel For Mature Skin, best facial peels for aging skin and best chemical peel for sagging skin.
List Of Best Glycolic Peel For Mature Skin
REN Clean Skincare glycol lactic radiance renewal mask
We’re obsessed with REN’s entire radiance range, and this peel might just be its crowning jewel. Made with lactic, glycolic, tartaric and citric acid, it’s just powerful enough to decongest troubled skin without triggering a breakout. When applying the gel formula over dry skin, the first thing you notice is the divine citrusy scent. You do experience some brief tingling in the ten minutes of use, but it’s extremely mild.
Once the 10 minutes are up, the product rinses off to reveal brighter, tauter skin. The more we used the mask, the longer these effects lasted, and over time we even saw improvement in sebum production and acne scarring. A lot of masks promise to deep clean your skin, but this was the first time we really believed it. The effects of each weekly peel were comparable to a professional facial. Peels sound so harsh, and yet this gave us an unbeatable healthy, dewy finish without any unwanted side effects. Magic in a bottle.Buy now £36, Renskincare.com
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% peeling solution
There’s a reason why this peel became a TikTok sensation and consistently sells out across the internet: it’s a cheap miracle-worker. We’ll be the first to admit we were terrified to use it at first – it’s a blood-red concoction, with a very high concentration of acids – but after one use, we were hooked. Using the dropper, you apply a thin layer across dry skin. This can be tricky as it’s such a watery formula, but the important part is to avoid the eye and mouth area. Then wait for 10 minutes before washing off with lukewarm water (learn from our mistake and don’t use hot water).
After just one use, our complexion looked smoother, more radiant and quite literally like we’d just shed a layer of dull, dead skin. Used in the long-term, it also does an incredible job of fading acne scars. As we said before, it’s an extremely potent peel, containing glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, salicylic and hyaluronic acids. This translates to high-impact exfoliation, but does mean your skin is left vulnerable to irritation, so it’s important to ease yourself into it. Our tester’s an old hat when it comes to acid exfoliation, but still felt a slight tingle during use, so newbies might find it too powerful. However, you can’t beat its instant results.Buy now £6.30, Boots.com
Alpha-H beauty sleep power peel
This peel brings new meaning to beauty sleep, serving as a final step in your night-time routine to resurface and restore your skin. Although this is an overnight treatment, the formula still packs a punch – with 14 per cent glycolic acid and 0.5 per cent retinol, the cream helps to boost collagen and fade hyperpigmentation. Thick enough to lock in moisture but not so much that your skin feels smothered, we liked how glowy our skin looked before bed. There was a slight tingle at first, but it really was slight and never veered into the burning territory we’ve come to fear from acid products.
Radiance continued well into the next day, and our complexion looked fresh and plump like we’d had twice the amount of sleep than usual. After three weeks we saw a big difference in acne scarring and the appearance of our pores, and it didn’t break us out once. It’s pricey, but as you can only use it twice per week and a pea-sized amount goes a long way, it’ll last much longer than you expect.Buy now £54, Alpha-h.com
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. sukari babyfacial
As the name suggests, this exfoliator aims to give you baby soft skin with the aid of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric and salicylic acids. This sounds like a lot, but it’s really quite gentle. We applied a thick layer over our entire face and only experienced a slight tingling sensation for the first few minutes, then rinsed it off with lukewarm water after 20 minutes or so. While we didn’t experience any redness afterwards, the peel does also come equipped with a mini sample of Drunk Elephant’s marula oil to soothe irritation.
There was a noticeable glow after our first use, but it’s with repeated weekly use that this product really shines (literally). After a month we saw big improvement in the texture of our forehead and our pores were way less obvious. There was even a slight reduction in the oiliness of our T-zone.Buy now £67, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Algenist blue algae vitamin C dark spot correcting peel
Hyperpigmentation is the bane of our life. All it takes is one spot lasting two or three days for it to create a dark mark that somehow endures for months on end, so we’re keen to try anything promising to solve our woes. This is one of the best solutions we’ve tried so far. Made with vitamin C and Algenist’s hero ingredient, alguronic acid, it’s a startlingly blue formula that works best when left on damp skin for 20 minutes once or twice a week. Like most peels, it does sting at first but this then evolves into a unique, pleasantly cooling sensation.
Our skin immediately looked brighter, and the next day we woke up to a shockingly even complexion, despite being in the midst of a breakout. It took a few uses to see a major difference, but we then noticed a significant improvement to acne scarring , fading more after each use. While it’s an expensive product, and you do have to use a lot of it each time, it’s worth the investment to tackle particularly stubborn pigmentation.
best chemical peel for deep wrinkles at home
A chemical peel is a higher strength skin exfoliant with a pH that’s generally around 2.0. When most people think about chemical exfoliation, they’re probably familiar with the lower strength stuff like Paula’s Choice 2% BHA, or the COSRX BHA (my personal favorite).
These types of exfoliants differ from chemical peels for two reasons:
When you’re looking at which chemical peels to buy, make sure your chemical peels have a pH of around 2.0. When the pH of a solution is at 2.0 or below, it means the entire percentage of that acid in the product is “free” to exfoliate your skin. However, when the pH is even slightly raised, less of that product will actually work.
For example, say we have a 5 percent salicylic acid product with a pH of 2.0 — that 5 percent would be completely “free” to work its exfoliating magic. But when the pH of that salicylic acid is raised slightly, less of that 5 percent is actually active.
If you want the full effect of the chemical peel, then make sure your product has a pH of around 2.0. If all that’s a little confusing, just know that a chemical peel is simply a stronger version of over-the-counter chemical exfoliating products, and as such requires a lot of caution when using at home.
It makes your skin (and you) sexy!
Joking aside, chemical peels have a lot of benefits! These include, but aren’t limited to:
In other words, have a problem? There’s a chemical peel out there with your name and solution on it.
In terms of strength, there are three varieties:
1. Superficial peels
Also known as “lunchtime peels” — because they involve little to no downtime — superficial peels penetrate minimally, exfoliate gently, and are best suited for mild skin problems like minor discoloration or rough texture.
Examples: Peels using mandelic, lactic, and low-strength salicylic acid normally fall under this category.
2. Medium peels
These penetrate more deeply (middle layer of skin), target damaged skin cells, and are best suited for moderate skin problems like superficial scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, and troublesome discoloration, like melasma or age spots.
Medium peels have even been used in the treatment of precancerous skin growths.
Examples: High-percentage glycolic acid, Jessner, and TCA peels fall under this category.
3. Deep peel
As the name implies, these penetrate the middle layer of skin very deeply. They target damaged skin cells, moderate to severe scarring, deep wrinkles, and skin discoloration.
Examples: High-percentage TCA and phenol chemical peels fall under this category. However, you should never do a deep peel at home. Save that for the top-of-the-line professionals.
Most skin peels done at home will fall into the superficial category. Extreme caution should be taken with medium-strength peels.
In terms of ingredients, there are a lot of different options to choose from. Because we’re all about simplicity here, here’s a list of common chemical peels, listed from weakest to strongest, with quick summaries of what they do.
Enzyme peels
This is the lightest peel of the bunch and is considered a “natural” option because it’s a fruit derivative. It’s especially great for people with sensitive skin or people who can’t tolerate acids.
But unlike alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), it doesn’t actually increase cellular turnover. Instead, enzyme peels work to remove dead skin and refine pores in a way that doesn’t make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Enzyme peel products
Mandelic acid
Mandelic acid improves texture, fine lines, and wrinkles. It’s beneficial for acne and helps hyperpigmentation without the irritation or erythema (redness) that glycolic acid can induce. It’s more effective on your skin than glycolic acid when used in combination with salicylic acid.
Mandelic acid products
Lactic acid
Lactic acid is another good starting peel because it’s considered lightweight and gentle. It smooths skin, provides a glow, helps with minor wrinkles, and is better than glycolic acid in treating hyperpigmentation and general skin discolorations. In addition, it’s more hydrating.
Lactic acid products
Salicylic acid
This is by far one of best peels for treating acne. It’s oil-soluble, meaning it’ll effectively get into the crooks and crannies of pores to dissolve any congestion and debris.
Unlike glycolic acid and other AHAs, salicylic acid doesn’t increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, which could in turn lead to UV-induced erythema. In addition to treating acne, it’s great for:
Salicylic acid products
Glycolic acid
This one is a bit more intensive, and depending on its concentration, can fall into the “medium peel” category.
Glycolic acid increases collagen production, refines texture, brightens and refreshes skin tone, reduces wrinkles, and is a particularly excellent chemical peel for acne scars. And when I say acne scars, I mean the actual indentations left behind in the skin from old breakouts.
Like all the other peels mentioned thus far, glycolic acid also treats hyperpigmentation and acne — though less effectively than salicylic acid.
Glycolic acid products
Jessner’s peel
This is a medium-strength peel that’s made up of three primary ingredients (salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol). It’s a great peel for hyperpigmentation and acne-prone or oily skin, but should be avoided if you have dry or sensitive skin because it could be fairly drying.
This peel will cause frosting, when parts of your skin turn white during the peel due to the surface of your skin being exfoliated away by the acidic solution. Downtime could last anywhere from a couple days to a week.
Jessner’s peel products
TCA peel (trichloroacetic acid)
TCA is a medium-strength peel, and the strongest of the bunch listed here. TCA peels are no joke, so take this one seriously. Scratch that, take all of them seriously!
This peel is good for sun damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, stretch marks, and atrophic acne scars. Like a Jessner peel, this will have downtime (typically 7 to 10 days).
TCA peel products
The side effects you may experience largely depend on the strength, intensity, and type of peel you use.
For lightweight peels like 15 percent salicylic or 25 percent mandelic acid, there’ll be little to no side effects. A little bit of redness post-peel will occur, but should subside in an hour or two. Skin peeling may occur within two to three days. However, this is pretty uncommon with light superficial peels.
Note: Just because you don’t peel, doesn’t mean it isn’t working! Don’t underestimate the strength of a chemical peel, even if you feel it didn’t do much.
As for the higher strength products, there’ll most definitely be skin peeling and redness. This can last anywhere from 7 to 10 days, so make sure you’re doing these peels when you can afford to stay at home and hide away for a while. (Unless you’re okay with looking a bit like a lizard in public — and if you are, more power to you!)
Rare side effects include:
Heart, kidney, or liver damage is really only a concern with phenol peels, which you should never do at home. These are even stronger than TCA peels.
We’re almost at the exciting part — but first, we need to go over the things you’ll need.
Before we start, please be aware that it’s possible to experience negative side effects. These ingredients are very strong and shouldn’t be used casually on a daily basis or more than once a week.
As always, it’s best to consult with your primary healthcare professional first before deciding to do a chemical peel at home. This information is for educational purposes to ensure that if you choose to do a chemical peel, you have the accurate know-how.
With whatever peel you start with, patch test first! For a patch test:
Incorporate it slowly into your routine. Your patience will be rewarded, and safety is of utmost importance. More isn’t necessarily better here!
Now, if you still want to take the plunge for healthier skin, follow these steps precisely to mitigate any potential hazards.
It may not seem like enough, and to be honest, it probably isn’t — but when you’re starting out, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ideally, you’d increase the time you leave it on your face by 30 second increments every session until you’ve reached the maximum five-minute limit.
For example, say you were starting off with a 15 percent mandelic acid peel. The first week you’d leave it on for only 30 seconds. The next week, one minute. The week after that, 1 minute and 30 seconds — so on and so forth, until you’ve worked your way up to five minutes.
Are chemical peels good for mature skin
If you want smooth wrinkle-free skin, you’ll want to consider getting a chemical peel, the latest cosmetic procedure that is sure to give your skin a glowing appearance. Dr Jeffrey Klein and his team at Hutton Klein Dermatology located in San Juan Capistrano, California, work closely with our patients to provide treatments that are right for them. Here’s what they want you to know about mild to medium chemical peels.
The 5 reasons chemical peels are for you
Here are the top five reasons why a chemical peel may be the best option for you and your skin:
1. Reduce wrinkles
The most common reason patients get chemical peels is to reduce fine lines and wrinkles that appear due to aging. The peel can be applied to the face, neck, or hands. For a superficial chemical peel, a chemical solution is applied to the skin that causes it to blister. Eventually the outermost layer peels away, and the dull outer layer is replenished with the smoother, more youthful skin below.
2. Remove dark spots
A medium chemical peel can also help reduce or remove age spots, freckles, and dark patches to even out the pigmentation of your skin. While a light chemical peel only reaches the epidermis (the outermost skin layer), a medium chemical peel reaches the superficial layer of the dermis, the layer just underneath. The result is a cleaner, more even skin tone.
3. Minimize acne scars
A superficial or medium chemical peel can help remove acne scars. The peel serves as an exfoliator by removing dead skin cells on the surface. The removal of the outer layer promotes your skin’s ability to produce collagen, a structural protein, which helps fill in your acne scars. A good peel will even unclog pores to help prevent future breakouts from occurring.
4. Reduce sun damage
Chemical peels remove wrinkles and spots created by sun damage. Exposure to UV rays from the sun accelerates the appearance of aged skin; a superficial chemical peel can reverse those effects to create a more youthful appearance.
Recovery
Following the procedure, your skin will have to go through a recovery process. It will be more vulnerable to sunlight, and therefore must be protected until it is completely healed. The depth of the peel will determine how long it will take your skin to heal. A superficial chemical peel can heal in one to seven days. A medium chemical peel will heal within a few weeks.
Good candidates
You’re typically a good candidate if you have lighter skin. If you have darker skin, you can still benefit from a chemical peel, but it may cause discoloration and uneven pigmentation after the treatment. The chemical peel also doesn’t help with skin sags, severe wrinkles, or deeper scars.
Risks
Chemical peels come with a set of risks depending on your skin. They can cause permanent darkening or lightening of your skin. They can also lead to scarring and infection, and they can even reactivate the herpes zoster virus.
If you think chemical peels are right for you, or if you want more information, please call our office at 949-248-1632 or book an appointment online.
best drugstore chemical peel
If you’re unfamiliar with the ins and outs of skincare, then the idea of a facial peel may sound intimidating to you. However, this treatment, which can be done in a spa or at home, can have wonderful benefits for your skin that will work to treat problem spots and brighten your overall appearance.
A glycolic peel is an exfoliation process using alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) to remove dead cells from the surface of your skin. According to Healthline, some of the benefits from this treatment include: reduction of pore size and acne scarring, fading of dark spots and reversal of minor signs of premature aging. While you could turn to the professionals for this process, a glycolic peel is perfectly safe to try on yourself at home. We rounded up the best drugstore glycolic peels so that you can achieve a more even complexion without the extra cost.
Olay Masks Vitamin C + AHA Resurfacing Peel Vitamin C ($19.99) What It Does This two-step peel set works to treat a dry, aging complexion by removing the layer of dead skin cells in order to expose brighter, more vibrant skin underneath. This set contains both a scrub and a serum to reveal and nourish healthier skin, and is infused with Vitamin C which has been proven to help minimize signs of aging. Key Benefits -Removes dead skin cells -Tightens and brightens -Cleanses skin of dirt and impurities -Great on dry and combination skin Promising Review “I have been using this duo for a few years. Absolutely love the instant results of glowing soft skin! I normally use it every other week, but with it being so hard to find, I have scaled back to once a month. When I do find it, I buy it. Please don’t discontinue this item, EVER!” –Bipsbrat
This two-step peel set works to treat a dry, aging complexion by removing the layer of dead skin cells in order to expose brighter, more vibrant skin underneath. This set contains both a scrub and a serum to reveal and nourish healthier skin, and is infused with Vitamin C which has been proven to help minimize signs of aging.
-Cleanses skin of dirt and impurities
-Great on dry and combination skin
“I have been using this duo for a few years. Absolutely love the instant results of glowing soft skin! I normally use it every other week, but with it being so hard to find, I have scaled back to once a month. When I do find it, I buy it. Please don’t discontinue this item, EVER!” –Bipsbrat
Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel Mini ($9.99) What It Does This vegan facial peel is perfect for sensitive skin that needs a boost. The gentle solution works to exfoliate the skin overnight, and with a blend of lactic and glycolic acid, it is much less harsh than other chemical peels on the market. If you have dry or acne-prone skin, this is the peel for you. Key Benefits -Works to reveal brighter, exfoliated skin overnight -Gentle on sensitive skin -Calming and hydrating -Recyclable packaging Promising Review “My husband and I have both tried this and are fans. It goes on smooth, doesn’t have an irritating scent, and makes our skin glow the next morning. I’ll definitely continue to rotate this in my weekly routine.” –PharaohNYC
This vegan facial peel is perfect for sensitive skin that needs a boost. The gentle solution works to exfoliate the skin overnight, and with a blend of lactic and glycolic acid, it is much less harsh than other chemical peels on the market. If you have dry or acne-prone skin, this is the peel for you.
-Works to reveal brighter, exfoliated skin overnight
-Gentle on sensitive skin
“My husband and I have both tried this and are fans. It goes on smooth, doesn’t have an irritating scent, and makes our skin glow the next morning. I’ll definitely continue to rotate this in my weekly routine.” –PharaohNYC
L’Oreal Paris Skincare Revitalift Derm Intensives ($15.31) What It Does A dermatologist approved formula, this peel minimizes dark spots and wrinkles for younger looking skin after continued use. Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells from the surface of your complexion, and with aloe, the serum is much less abrasive on the skin than other products. Key Benefits -Visibly reduces dark spots and wrinkles -Unclogs pores and brightens overall appearance -Works to address several signs of aging, even on sensitive skin Promising Review “I’m a fair skinned young at heart woman in my early 50s. You know those unsightly, freckly blotches that come up? This product erases them. I have found my new holy Grail and couldn’t be happier – after just a week. I’m already ordering a new bottle to have on hand. I do use it on my décolletage and hands as well. Thank you, L’Oréal!” –MissLively
A dermatologist approved formula, this peel minimizes dark spots and wrinkles for younger looking skin after continued use. Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells from the surface of your complexion, and with aloe, the serum is much less abrasive on the skin than other products.
-Visibly reduces dark spots and wrinkles
-Unclogs pores and brightens overall appearance
-Works to address several signs of aging, even on sensitive skin
“I’m a fair skinned young at heart woman in my early 50s. You know those unsightly, freckly blotches that come up? This product erases them. I have found my new holy Grail and couldn’t be happier – after just a week. I’m already ordering a new bottle to have on hand. I do use it on my décolletage and hands as well. Thank you, L’Oréal!” –MissLively
The Ordinary Peeling Solution 30ml AHA 30% + BHA 2% ($16.50) What It Does The Ordinary has been known for their high quality, affordable skincare products and this peel is no exception. Formulated to use in the evening twice a week, this peel will cleanse your skin of imperfections, revealing a glowing base beneath. If you have acne-prone skin or scarring, this product will help to minimize the appearance of such imperfections over time. Key Benefits -Vitamin C for anti-aging -Great for sensitive skin -Immediately works to remove dead skin from the surface -Minimizes signs of aging Promising Review “This is the third week and I have noticed a huge diminishing in my uneven skin tone and acne scarring. I look younger and my skin glows after. It doesn’t burn like stronger peels and my skin only slightly reddens after. I suffered from adult acne for a couple years. Since I started using the routine mentioned above, along with spironolactone, my skin has improved SO much. I often go without makeup now.” –Alexandra Snyder
The Ordinary has been known for their high quality, affordable skincare products and this peel is no exception. Formulated to use in the evening twice a week, this peel will cleanse your skin of imperfections, revealing a glowing base beneath. If you have acne-prone skin or scarring, this product will help to minimize the appearance of such imperfections over time.
-Vitamin C for anti-aging
-Great for sensitive skin
-Immediately works to remove dead skin from the surface
-Minimizes signs of aging