Best Glycolic Peel Pads 2019
Note that the ideal percentage of glycolic acid for at-home use starts at around 7 to 8 percent and goes up to 30 percent. When buying a product, take a look at the pH level. This isn’t always listed on product labels, but some terms you want to look for are “low pH” or “medical grade pH.
Best Glycolic Peel Pads 2019
Long gone are the days where exfoliating meant using physically abrasive scrubs such as sea salt to improve the appearance of our skin. Chemical exfoliation is the new standard in terms of solving skin woes such as acne scars and blemishes, dark spots, hyper-pigmentation, and cellulite, to name a few.1 In its most basic form, exfoliating scrubs away dead skin while breaking down acne-forming bacteria that clog your pores, which prevents acne and blackheads from forming. And now, that is made even easier and less time-consuming with exfoliating pads. “One of the greatest benefits of an exfoliating pad is the convenience factor,” explains dermatological nurse and celebrity aesthetician Natalie Aguilar.
Aguilar explains that exfoliating pads are a convenient way to get a chemical exfoliation. “Pre-mixed solutions with a pad have removed the inconvenience of having separate products and have made it easy for suitable skin types to pick up a pad and wipe across face, neck, décolleté or body.”
In addition to that, exfoliating pads will have other additional benefits for the skin thanks to ingredients. To put it simply, there is a lot that you can include in exfoliating pad form. Whether you have sensitive skin or oily skin, there’s definitely a pad out there for you.
Exfoliating Pads for Face
The words “acid” and “peel” are scary enough on their own, let alone strung together to describe a product that you rub all over your face. But as terrifying as “acid peel” may sound, the best facial peel pads are actually the quickest, easiest, and most importantly, painless way to get smoother, brighter-looking skin without going to the dermatologist or making a facial appointment — neither of which are the most comfortable or safe options at the moment. “The benefits [of peels] can include dark spot fading, evening complexion, collagen building, natural tone-enhancing, and exfoliating,” Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut, previously told Allure.
Thanks to powerful resurfacing ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and brightening ingredients like vitamin C, your skin will have a newfound radiance and clarity in a few swipes. Just make sure you’re reaching for your favorite cleanser first and starting with a clean base before you go in with any clarifying peel pad.
While many pads may look the same, they’re not all created equal. You need a formula packed with acids to deep-clean clogged pores, lift away dead skin cells, and speed up cell turnover — along with a solid mix of soothing and hydrating ingredients, so your skin doesn’t feel irritated after all of the heavy-duty exfoliation. (Tingling is a very common side effect, so don’t fret if you experience that during your first few uses — for anything beyond that, consult your board-certified derm.) Some are even gentle enough to use every day, but you should always listen to your skin and build up its tolerance over time as needed.
Glycolic Acid Pads
If you’re not exfoliating your skin regularly, you’re missing out on some major beauty benefits: a healthy glow, a reduction in breakouts and dark spots, and improved skin tone. The list goes on and on. One of my favorite ways to exfoliate is using peel pads soaked with chemical acids (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, and fruit enzymes) to support skin cell turnover. It’s gratifying to see how much dirt, debris, and makeup comes off with each use.
The Benefits of Using Peel Pads
In addition to backing up the benefits shared above, Koro knows firsthand how incredible peel pads are. “There are endless benefits to proper exfoliation, and using a chemical exfoliant is easily my favorite,” she begins. “I recommend them to almost every client that comes into my treatment room, and they are my best-selling products because they will give you real results.”
On top of their ability to deliver a clearer and more radiant complexion, peel pads work wonders below the neck. “They can be used all over the body and are not limited to just the face,” Koro shares. “I love using them for keratosis pilaris (KP) on the backs of the arms and acne on the chest, back, and derrière.” You can also use them on your underarms to reduce pigmentation and odor. (Who knew?)
Expert Tips for Use
As the name suggests, peel pads can cause your skin to peel or shed, underscoring the importance of using them safely and correctly. “I always suggest that my clients first try peel pads on their hand or neck to check for sensitivity or allergies to the product,” Koro explains. It’s best to build up usage as you gauge tolerance, starting with once weekly and increasing frequency from there. As tolerated, Koro suggests using peel pads twice a week and building up to every other night. After all, you don’t want to overdo it—so go slow and steady to win the glow-getting race.
“Make sure you are properly hydrating and protecting your skin to reduce sensitivity when using any form of exfoliant,” Koro adds. This includes prioritizing hydrating skincare ingredients, applying plenty of moisturizer, and, most importantly, using SPF every morning. No exceptions.
