How would you like to get your skin back to ‘amazing’? You may want to look into a facial peels knows as chemical peels. Solutions are applied to the skin to remove damaged skin cells and bring out the beautiful skin you have waiting underneath.
What is the best chemical peel for hyperpigmentation?
What is the best chemical peel for sagging skin?
Which peel is the strongest chemical peel?
Is an at home chemical peel safe?
You’ve got quite a few answers and options for face peeols, depending on what your needs are and how sensitive your skin is. For the best effects, it’s important that you research the different types of chemical peels before you make your appointment. Skin care should not be taken lightly, so made sure you know as much as you can, especially when looking at a chemical solution. To help jumpstart your research, check out this quick guide on the different types of chemical peels and how they help.
In this post, we’ll also consider which chemical peel is best for sensitive skin and which chemical peel is best for skin whitening.
Which Is Best Chemical Peel
The road to glowing skin is paved with potent skincare products. From wrinkle-busting retinols to sun spot-banishing vitamin C serums, strategic use of high-performance skincare can keep your complexion clear, dewy, and more youthful-looking year-round. But there’s another secret to beautiful skin that shouldn’t be overlooked: proper exfoliation—not only because it ensures soft, radiant skin, but because it helps all of the other products you apply work better. And one of the most effective methods that you can incorporate into your regimen is an at-home chemical peel.
Less intense than in-office peels, at-home peels help break down the “glue” that keeps complexion-dulling dead skin cells hanging on. “Peels are intended to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells, giving the face a smoother, more radiant appearance. They work to exfoliate top layers of cells and help clear up clogged pores, breakouts, dull skin, and dry skin,” explains dermatologist Dr. Howard Sobel. “They are also great for minimizing pores and diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.”
To get the most out of an at-home peel without leaving your skin irritated from over-exfoliation, dermatologists recommend incorporating one into your regimen no more than twice a week. If you’re using a retinol product, take a break from it on the nights that you use a peel, and be sure to follow up with a rich moisturizer and, of course, sunscreen. While peels are a good option for most skin types, those with very sensitive skin could experience irritation and should consult a dermatologist before incorporating peels into their routine to determine the best timing and ingredients to use to get the glowing results you crave.
“Home chemical peels have to be necessarily gentle, so they can be used safely and regularly,” says dermatologist Dr. Linda Chung Honet. “I like recommending them as a boosting treatment between professional treatments in the office.”
Home peels come in a variety of formulations, from disposable pads to masks to overnight serums. It is important to bear in mind that both “chemical” and “peel” are slight misnomers—many of the key acids you’ll find in these products are derived from fruit, and you should not actually see any peeling in your skin. If you do, you’ve overdone it. Best practice is to look for options with AHAs such as glycolic, lactic, and citric acids as well as brightening ingredients such as vitamin C and ferulic acid. Below we’ve rounded up some of the home treatments dermatologists recommend to give your skin the clean sweep.
Best All-Around
TLC Sukari Babyfacial Mask
Drunk Elephant
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
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.
Fastest Acting
30% Glycolic Acid Peel Concentrate
Sobel Skin Rx
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.
Best for Anti-Aging
Rapid Reveal Peel
Dermalogica
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
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
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
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
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
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.”
Dermatologist Recommended
AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads
SkinBetter Science
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
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
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.
Most Hydrating
Micro Peel Peptide Pads
Dr. Loretta
These anti-aging peel pads from Dr. Loretta incorporate plant peptides in the formulation, so that skin is receiving a hit of hydration and nourishment while also being treated with low pH medical grade 10% glycolic acid.
Best Overnight Option
KateCeuticals Resurfacing Overnight Peel
Kate Somerville
Wake up with a visibly brighter complexion after using an overnight treatment, such as this multi-tasker from Kate Somerville, which tackles dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores with glycolic acid, ceramide-encapsulated retinol, and niacinamide.
Best for Pores
Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
Paula’s Choice
In just 10 minutes, a combination of 25% AHAs and 2% BHA do just the trick to visibly brighten skin, refine texture, smooth any fine line and wrinkles, and unclog pores. Also, shoutout to the butterfly pea flower, which calms redness and soothes skin.
Easy Application
TCA Lactic & Glycolic Face Peel
Stacked Skincare
This multi-tasking, at-home peel has a lightweight, liquid texture that’s packed with five acids—including lactic and glycolic—that gently minimize dullness and dark spots, prevent acne, promote radiance, and soften fine lines. Even better? No rinsing required.
Which Chemical Peel Is Best For Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, it’s normal to feel intimidated by chemical peels. While some of the stronger options on the market can cause irritation, there are chemical peels specifically designed for sensitive skin.
Board-certified dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, advises using chemical peels with lactic acid, which is known to be one of the gentlest alpha-hydroxy acids on the market.
Which Chemical Peel Is Best For Skin Whitening
Glycolic peels
Glycolic peel is an effective skin lightening treatment that is used to treat various skin problems like acne outbreaks, dead skin cells, wrinkles, fine lines, scars, ageing, and open pores. These chemical peels contain glycolic acid that removes the damaged layer of the skin and can provide a rejuvenated and glowing complexion.