At-home chemical peels come as pre-moistened pads you wipe on your skin or bottled liquids you apply as a mask. The acids exfoliate dead skin cells on the top layer of skin, revealing newer, smoother skin below.
The acids in at-home peel products are similar to those used in the mildest professional peels, but at a much lower concentration. They include alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid) and beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid). At-home peels may also include other ingredients such as retinol to boost collagen production, fruit enzymes such as papaya or pineapple to brighten skin and antioxidants such as green tea and vitamin C.
What to expect from an at-home peel
At-home peels are worth doing if a quick radiance boost is your goal.
“It’s important for people to manage their expectations when they use at-home peels because they’re not on par with a peel you’d get from a dermatologist or aesthetician,” said Shawna Sopher, a licensed medical aesthetician at Water’s Edge Dermatology. “Less exfoliation occurs, so you’re not going to see very significant changes.”
The people who benefit the most from at-home peel products are those who also get professional chemical peels. “They’re best used about once a month between your professional treatments in order to maintain results,” Sopher noted.
At-home face peels are particularly helpful if you’re preparing for a special occasion. “They give your skin a nice glow, even if temporarily. So, you might use one the night before an event to help your skin look brighter and smoother,” said Sopher.
Can you give yourself a chemical peel at home?
While at-home peels are milder than professional ones, they aren’t risk-free. The biggest problem people run into is buying a peel that isn’t well suited to their skin type.
“Usually when patients ask me about at-home peels it’s because they used one that burned or irritated their face, probably because it was too strong for their skin,” Sopher explained. “There are many different peels on the market that contain varying concentrations of acids, so it’s hard to figure out on your own which one is right for you.”
For the best results, consult with your skincare provider before you buy an at-home peel product. Your provider can help you find a product that’s not too harsh for your skin and contains the right ingredients to treat your complexion issues. If your skin is oily, for example, your provider may recommend a peel that contains salicylic acid, which decreases oil production. If it’s normal to dry, a peel with alpha hydroxy acids may be a better option because they don’t sap your skin’s natural moisture.
It’s also important to make sure you’re a good candidate for an at-home peel. Chemical peels, regardless of their strength, shouldn’t be used by anyone who is pregnant, nursing, taking isotretinoin or has inflamed acne or a sunburn. People with dark skin tones should ask their skin care provider about whether peels are a smart choice for them, since darker skin is prone to developing hyperpigmentation (dark spots).
How to do a chemical peel at home
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:
- Apply a small amount of product on your skin in a discreet area, like the inside of your wrist or your inner arm.
- Wait 48 hours to see if there’s a reaction.
- Check the area at 96 hours after application to see if you have a delayed reaction.
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.
If you’ve reached the five-minute mark and feel like your chemical peel still isn’t doing enough, this would be the time to move up in percentage. In other words, rather than using a 15% mandelic acid peel, you’d move up to 25% and repeat the whole process, starting again leaving it on for 30 seconds for the first application.
With all that said, as soon as you apply the peel onto the skin, keep track of your timer until the time you’ve allotted has passed (30 seconds minimum, five minutes maximum).
And that’s it! You’ve now successfully completed your first chemical peel!
Chemical peel aftercare
For at least the next 24 hours, you want to make sure you aren’t using active ingredients like tretinoin (Retin-A) or products that include any acids, like glycolic or salicylic acid, in your skin care.
Don’t use for 24 hours
- prescription tretinoins
- AHAs
- BHAs
- vitamin C serums with ascorbic acid
- low-pH serums
- retinoids
- any other chemical exfoliates
After you’ve completed a peel, you should follow up with a very bland, simple skin care routine. Incorporating a hyaluronic acid product can help hydrate the daylights out of your skin, and research has shown hyaluronic acid plays an important role in wound healing — two things which you should definitely be focusing on after a peeling session.
You also can’t go wrong with using moisturizers that strengthen and repair the moisture barrier. Look for ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and hyaluronic acid, which function as skin-identical ingredients that repair barrier damage and strengthen the moisture barrier.
CeraVe PM is a favorite moisturizer because it comes with the addition of 4 percent niacinamide, an antioxidant that:
- brightens skin tone
- increases collagen production
- has anti-aging benefits
However, CeraVe Cream is a close second and better suited for people with drier skin.
Another good and inexpensive product to use after chemical peels is Vaseline. Contrary to popular belief, petrolatum is noncomedogenic. Its molecules are simply too big to clog pores.
Petroleum jelly is the most effective ingredient on planet earth at preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized. If you want to speed up the recovery time of a chemical peel, make sure you’re using petroleum jelly!
Lastly, but not least, make sure you wear sunscreen and protect your skin from the sun immediately following your peel. Your skin will be very sensitive.
And that does it for doing chemical peels at home! Keep in mind that incorrectly applied chemical peels can leave you scarred for life. Many individuals have had to seek emergency care due to not being cautious.
Make sure you purchase your products from a reliable source and know exactly what it is that you’re applying. Be safe, have fun with it, and welcome to the world of wonderful skin.
Do’s And Don’t’s Of At-Home Chemical Peels
DO: Read the ingredients
“If reading the label is important for every day skin care, it is extremely important when choosing a peel,” Shamban says, “If you choose incorrectly you may not turn into a reptile, but your skin could certainly peel like a snake shedding its skin.”
The most important part is picking the right acids for your skin type and goal. “If you want to improve the tone and pigment of skin, try AHAs like glycolic and lactic acid,” explains Bhanusali. “BHAs like salicylic are good for acne-prone skin and help with oil control. And if you want a light exfoliation, try a peel with fruit acids in it.”
Shamban is also a fan of AHAs, which she says “can be extremely useful for treating conditions from acne to pigmentation abnormalities.” Enzyme peels (made with fruit ingredients like papaya or pineapple) offer a more gentle alternative.
DON’T: Get too caught up in percentages
You might see an acid-based product claiming a percentage of acid in the formula. “A peel with 20% glycolic is something completely different than one with 20% salicylic acid,” Bhanusali says. “My advice is to start with the lowest strength peel and work your way up.” Shamban claims the percentage of glycolic acid should be higher for more mature and sun damaged skin. Aging skin can be treated with up to 20 percent. However, she adds, “With repeated peels, results will be seen almost regardless of the concentration.”
DO: Test first
Bhanusali warns: “Be careful with glycolic acid. It can cause chemical burns if it’s too strong.” And those with darker skin tones should be extra wary of chemical peels. “These skin types are more likely to get hyperpigmentation and even chemical burns,” he says. “Start with a lower strength peel and work your way up.”
Shamban’s hack: “If your skin is sensitive, be sure to test the peel behind the ear or right in front of the ear before applying.”
DON’T: Go overboard with skin prep
“Using a peel doesn’t require prep, really, just gently cleanse your skin,” Bhanusali suggests, adding that it’s great to use a product with glycerin, chamomile, or other calming ingredients Make sure your skin is makeup-free and clean of grease—no need for heavy exfoliation or toning, because “the combination may overwhelm the skin.” If you’re feeling ambitious, you could even use a facial steamer beforehand to let ingredients penetrate even deeper.
DON’T: Do anything that might irritate skin further
Stay away from scrubs, lasers, products with acid, and any waxing treatments for the first 24 to 72 hours. This is also not the time to enjoy a day in the sun. If sun exposure is a must, make sure you apply sunscreen.
DO: Say goodbye to retinoids, vitamin C, and other products with acid
Both Shamban and Bhanusali suggest editing your skincare routine pre-peel so you cause your skin to become super sensitive, which may lead to redness or even a bad reaction. That includes dodging retinol-based products, as well as vitamin C, AHAs, and BHAs, for two to three days before the peel.
DON’T: Use physical exfoliators immediately after a peel
Take a break from the Clarisonic. “You are doing a chemical exfoliation, so be careful with any device that will do a physical exfoliation as you will be rubbing off the top layers of your skin,” Shamban says. Another thing you should skip? Makeup for at least 24 hours after the peel, because it might lead to further irritation.
DON’T: Peel too frequently
“Once a week, or once every two weeks is all you need,” Bhanusali says. Additional peels or overpeeling can disrupt your microbiome and leave your skin raw.
DO: Use gentle skincare products after a peel
Seek products that add moisture and nourishment back into the treated skin. Shamban suggests following with a “general non-comedogenic moisturizer” while Bhanusali stands by a “lightly moisturizing often with something gentle.”
How to make a deep chemical peel at Home
Always do a patch test to check if you are allergic to any of the chemicals. Even if you have done chemical peeling before, do a patch test every time you do it. To do a patch test:
- Take a small amount of the product and apply it to your inner arm or on your wrist.
- Leave it on for 24-48 hours. See how your skin reacts.
- Remove it after 48 hours and wait for two more days to make sure it does not cause a delayed reaction.
If your skin is fine after doing the patch test, go ahead with the chemical peel. If you are using it for the first time, start with the lowest concentration possible. You can gradually increase the concentration as your skin gets used to the acid. To begin with, you can use 8% TCA, 30% lactic acid, or 30% glycolic acid. If you are using any tretinoin-based products, stop using them a week before using the chemical peel.
Now, let’s discuss how you can do chemical peeling at home.
Step 1: Clean Your Face
Before applying the chemical peeling solution, cleanse your face with a gentle and soap-free cleanser.
Step 2: Protect The Sensitive Parts
Areas such as the skin around your eyes, the corners of your lips, and your nostrils are very sensitive. Apply petroleum jelly on them to protect them from the acid.
Step 3: Apple The Chemical Peeling Solution
Use a Q-tip, a cotton swab, or a cotton pad to apply the chemical solution to your face. Start with the areas that are less sensitive, such as the skin on your forehead, cheeks, and chin, and then apply it to your nose and neck.
Step 4: Leave It On For The Time Recommended By The Manufacturer
The wait time differs with the ingredients. However, it’s always safe to keep it on for lesser than the recommended time. For instance, if the instructions ask you to leave it on for 2 minutes, it’s best to remove it after 1 minute or 1 minute 30 seconds.
Step 5: Remove The Peel
Remove the chemical as per the instructions provided with the product and apply a neutralizing solution. Usually, all products come with a neutralizing solution. This is to stop the solution from working on your skin. If your product doesn’t come with any neutralizing solution, it means the chemical stops working as soon as you remove it from your skin.
You can also make your own neutralizing solution. Just mix baking soda in some water until it forms a paste and apply it after you wash the chemical off your face.
If your first attempt goes well, you can increase the intensity or concentration of the acid the next time.
After chemical peeling, you need to be very careful about what you put on your skin. Here is a skin care regimen you can follow right after chemical peeling.
How To Take Care Of Your Skin After Chemical Peeling
Chemical peeling will leave your skin looking a bit red and irritated. It is very vulnerable to damage at this point, and that’s why you need to take special care of your skin. Here are the things you should do after you have done chemical peeling at home:
- Treat Your Skin Gently
Whenever you touch your skin or apply any product, do it very gently. Don’t rub your fingers on your face. Some of the peeling skin flakes remain attached to the cells of your skin after chemical peeling until they fall off on their own. You don’t want to take the risk of pulling them out and damaging your skin.
- Be Very Cautious Your Skin Is Wet
When your skin is wet, it softens the dead skin cells. So, be careful when wiping your moist skin. If you rub too aggressively with your fingers on your skin, you run the risk of removing both dead and live skin cells. It is better to avoid applying anything or using anything on the face (like a washcloth) when your skin is wet.
- Never Forget Sunscreen
Your skin is damaged and still regenerating after the peel, and it is extremely vulnerable to the harmful UV rays. So, sunscreen is a must!
- Limit The Time Spent Outdoors
When your skin is inflamed, it is better to protect it from the heat, pollution, and the sun’s rays. So, limit the time that you spend outside.
- Use A Gentle Cleanser
Use a sulfate- and soap-free cleanser on your face. Your cleanser should not leave your skin feeling dry and dehydrated. Choose a moisturizing formula that will keep it nourished.
- Follow Up With A Gentle Essence, Mist, Or Toner
Once you have cleansed your skin, apply an alcohol-free skin essence, toner, or facial mist. This helps in additional hydration and soothes the irritated skin. Avoid rubbing it on your skin. Instead, put it in a spray bottle or use cotton pads to apply it to your face.
- Apply A Moisturizer
Once you have undergone chemical peeling, moisturizing is the best way to keep your skin calm. A moisturizer is a must-have throughout the day. During the day, use a moisturizer with SPF. You can use one without SPF at night.
- Avoid Pulling Off The Flaky Skin
Let it fall off on its own. Pulling off the flaky skin can cause scarring, redness, and irritation.
Consult a doctor immediately if you notice signs of infection, such as crusting and oozing, from the flaky and irritated skin.
Chemical peeling is a cosmetic procedure where a chemical is applied to help peel off a layer of skin. Getting a superficial, medium, or deep chemical peel will reduce pigmentation, remove deep acne scars, leaving you with youthful and smoother skin. If you want to know how to do a chemical peel at home, you need to buy chemical peels with lauric acid or glycolic acid and follow proper instructions. Once you finish doing your chemical peel, ensure you are gentle with your skin and use a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. Few people may experience redness, irritation, or scarring after doing a chemical peel. Consult a doctor immediately if this happens.
Top Chemical Peel At Home
Drunk Elephant
$80 AT SEPHORA
$71 AT WALMART
$80 AT ULTA BEAUTY
With a blend of 25% AHAs (glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric acids) as well as 2% BHA (salicylic acid) to work both at the skin’s surface and down inside the pores, this putty-colored peel leaves skin looking and feeling smoother in 20 minutes, without overpowering sensitive complexions.
Bargain Buy
AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The Ordinary
$8 AT SEPHORA
$18 AT WALMART
$8 AT JCPENNEY
The high-octane ingredients found in peels mean that many versions also come with steep price tags. Not this bottle, which offers 30% AHAs and 2% BHA for maximum exfoliation on a shoestring budget.
30% Glycolic Acid Peel Concentrate
Sobel Skin Rx
$46 AT SEPHORA
If you’re ready to take on skincare like a pro, look no further than this 30% glycolic acid peel that will clear away dullness-inducing dead skin cells, help unblock pores, and boost your natural radiance in just two minutes.
Pro-Level Peel
Clinical Grade Resurfacing Liquid Peel
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
When you’re ready to get serious about smoothing and brightening, this potent two-step peel offers dark spot eliminating power as well as redness-fighting soothers. Step one features lactic and glycolic acid and the pineapple-derived enzyme bromelian and can be customized depending on the amount that you apply. After just two minutes of exfoliation, apply step two which deactivates the peeling action with soothing oatmeal and green tea.
$95 AT SEPHORA
$110 AT WALMART
$95 AT NORDSTROM
Dermalogica
$85 AT DERMSTORE
These individually portioned tubes of high-potency lactic acid and caviar lime help resurface skin and give your natural collagen production a little nudge to make skin look firmer.
Best for Acne Scars
Rejuvenating Mini Peel Gel
Glytone
$64 AT SKINSTORE
$64 AT WALMART
$64 AT DERMSTORE
With a 10.8 glycolic acid value, this straightforward gel peel (it has just 7 ingredients) is perfect for those who aren’t kidding around with their exfoliation routine. With regular use, it can also help smooth the appearance of uneven texture.
Best Natural Peel
Resurfacing Mask
Tata Harper
$65 AT VIOLET GREY
Famed for its farm-sourced ingredients, this best-selling mask uses BHA from willow bark and exfoliating pomegranate enzymes to wake up tired-looking skin.
Best for Fine Lines
Caviar Lime Acid Peel
Lancer Skincare
$97 AT DERMSTORE
Australian caviar lime lends its peeling power to AHA glycolic acid, as well as brightening phytic acid and wrinkle fighting retinol for a do-it-all weekly peel.
Best for Travel
Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
$88 AT SEPHORA
$150 AT NORDSTROM
$150 AT SKINSTORE
Travel can be tough on skin, but these convenient packets of pre-soaked peel wipes with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids make sure that you can maintain your glow on-the-go.
Most Splurge-Worthy
Glyco Extreme Peel
Natura Bissé
$295 AT DERMSTORE
$295 AT NORDSTROM
$295 AT SKINSTORE
Washington, D.C.-based dermatologist Dr. Noëlle Sherber recommends this luxe, ultra-effective peel for a home glow. “It has a nice blend of 5 AHAs (glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric, and citric acids) plus a BHA,” she says. “It also contains an enzyme that is more active at higher temperatures, so a pro tip is to use this on warm skin in the bath or shower for a more intense treatment. It also includes glycerin which is an excellent small molecule hydrator to prevent skin getting dehydrated and flaky.
SkinBetter Science
$110 AT SKINBETTER
Dermatologists love SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads due to their unique formulation. “They are a great combination of retinoid with alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids,” says Dr. Honet. “They are effective yet gentle enough to use at home 2-3 times a week and are well-suited for nearly every skincare regimen.”
Best for Acne
Max Complexion Correction Pads
Peter Thomas Roth
$48 AT ULTA BEAUTY
$30 AT WALMART
$39 AT NORDSTROM
Though formulated to tackle acne—chiefly with 2% salicylic acid—these powerful pads are also super effective at whisking away the dryness that can cause fine lines, minimizing pores, and regulating oil production.
Best for Brighter Skin
1 oz. Gold Profection22 Mask
Ambari Beauty
$92 AT BERGDORF GOODMAN
This super-potent rinse-off treatment mask incorporates a blend of 22% AHAs, plus adaptogenic reishi mushroom and comforting CBD, to polish skin and boost glow in only 10-15 minutes.