How to Safely Do Chemical Peels at Home: Insights from Dermatologists

August 30, 2024 isla

Chemical peels done at the comfort of one’s home will assist in making your skin look radiant and smooth and also assist in the removal of the dead skin and boost the creation of collagen. Professional aesthetician peels done in the office may use stronger acids, but at-home peels are far more gentle but still efficient enough to give your skin the needed resurfacing.

When seeking for the at-home peels and employing them, it is crucial to adhere to all the guidelines and conduct a patch test in the case of newly acquired skincare product. Acids should not be used in excess as they can harm the skin and make it sensitive. Our specialists advise that it is unwise to use peels frequently especially in the beginning; one should begin with peels once a week or less and if the skin accepts it, then one can gradually increase the frequency.

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Our Top Pick Chemical Peeling Products to Do at Home

Here we present best at home chemical peels according to skin type and skin issues such as acne, fine lines, dark spots and more. This is because we also provide information on how to use these revolutionary products into your daily lives.

Best with Retinol: Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross

Key Ingredients: Dr. Dennis Gross peel pads have five alpha and beta hydroxy acids and retinol for anti-aging, skin-brightening, and acne-fighting benefits. Every peel comes in two phases: phase one is the preparation and exfoliation phase while phase two is the neutralization and treatment phase.
Why we recommend: We suggest the Universal Daily Peel because as you know retinol makes the collagen fibers thicker; therefore, skin becomes firmer and more elastic in the long run. This anti-aging ingredient also helps the skin to shed the outer layer of cells faster to reduce the formation of dark patches. The multi-acid formula helps to deal with the blackheads, pores, and acne as well.
How to use: Utilize the two-step pads daily by rubbing the first pad on your face, neck and décolletage in circular movements in an upwards direction. Allow the peel solution to remain on the skin for about two minutes so that the acids can effectively work on the skin. Step 2 follows the process by using the pad to make the skin’s pH level neutral. It may take only a few minutes after the peeling for skin to become slightly tingly and red.

This doesn’t come cheap especially for home use but the good thing is very little is needed due to the concentrated formula. From our perspective, the clinical results justify the investment for most skin types.

Best Toner Pads: Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads

Key Ingredients: Contain lactic acid, bacillus ferment and potent botanicals, the toner helps to address the break outs, correct skin tone and for deeper cleansing.The Elemis peel pads contain elderberry and starflower oil to create a barrier that shields the skin against redness while boosting its resilience.
Why we recommend: These Elemis peel pads were developed for refining skin texture, minimizing pores and increasing cell renewal and luminosity.This makes them suitable for use especially on sensitive skin as well since they pose no harm. The handy peel pads that come with it are pre-moistened and contain enough of the product to effectively fit a month’s usage when used daily.
How to use: It is suggested to use the toner pads in the morning and at night after washing the face. For the gentle skin peel use the pad by wiping it gently on the skin surface while for the deeper peel let the pad remain on your skin for not more than 3 minutes. If you feel any irritation after applying the product, wash your face with water after applying this product.

Best Rinse-Off Mask: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel

Key Ingredients: This professional level mask has a combination of AHAs, namely glycolic and lactic as well as BHAs such as salicylic to minimize skin roughness. The 25% AHA/2% BHA mixture offers chemical exfoliation without the abrasive characteristic of an acid solution.
Why we recommend: Will give you expect skin to look bright and glowing the very first time you try glycolic and lines and spots caused by the sun and aging to diminish as the collagen and elastin in the skin are stimulated to produce more collagen. Plus salicylic helps to reduce pore clogging while also eliminating those stubborn blackheads. This clinical level of the peel is more potent than daily use but perfect to do once a week.
How to use:Paula’s Choice intensive treatment has to be applied to the skin once a week as a part of the PM skincare routine after the face wash and toning. Put a thin layer on and avoid the eye area, leave it on for no more than 10 minutes then wash off. Then, proceed with the usual toner, serums and moisturizer to hydrate the skin once again.

Best Serum: The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA

Key Ingredients: Interested in using acids in your daily regimen? As an affordable over-the-counter daily-use acid treatment, we suggest The Ordinary’s Mandelic Acid 10% + HA for brighter complexion, enzyme-activated uniform skin tone, fine lines, and hydration.
Why we recommend: Obtained naturally from bitter almonds, mandelic acid is a safe peeling that also has a deeply moisturizing effect thanks to hyaluronic acid. This non-irritating formula also helps in combating breakouts because of the antibacterial property on mandelic acid- it is less harsh compared to other AHAs making it ideal for use by accutane clients or people with sensitive skin.
How to use: Use 4-5 drops in the morning and in the evening before creams. We recommend incorporating it in your skin care routine twice to thrice a week initially and gradually increase the usage if your skin tolerates it well. Unlike the other powerful peels, you can decide to use it daily, but if you apply it too often, you may end up with redness and peeling. Begin at a low concentration and dilute with moisturizer if skin becomes sensitized.

Still, at under $10, this simple yet effective The Ordinary serum demands credit for the job well done!

Best Night Treatment: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

Key Ingredients: T. L. C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum contains ginseng root, AHA/BHA ACID blend, retexture skin at Night.. Glycolic and lactic exfoliate the skin, so the dead skin cells are washed away, giving the skin a shiny-looking surface while salicylic fights the blockage in the pores. Horse chestnut and white tea extract are added to soothe the skin’s condition.
Why we recommend: This night treatment is not cheap, but as they say, a little goes a long way. The skin texture and luminosity are enhanced by this medical-grade formula that cannot be compared to any other. It is especially suitable for those who have acne, dark spots, wrinkles and large pores.
How to use: It is advised to apply at night after washing and diluting 2-3 drops with the moisturizer to counter its high acid content. Framboos, when used on its own, can burn the skin and make it extremely parched. Begin with one or two nights a week and gradually progress to multiple nights per week as your skin acclimates. Use together with the brand’s vitamin C during the day for the best brightening result.

Best for Special Occasions: Shani Darden triple acid facial peel

Key Ingredients: One of the most popular facial peels according to aestheticians which contains lactic, glycolic,mandelic and salicylic acids that work as exfoliants.I
How to use: Shani Darden’s peel should be applied 1-2 times a week in the evening as part of your skincare regimen, depending on your skin’s tolerance. Apply over a cleaner face, do not apply on eyes and lips in circular motion for 2 minutes and wash off. Next, apply a calming serum or face oil.
Why we recommend: Despite being one of the most expensive at-home treatments, this peel aids in achieving a glowing and an even skin tone. It is recommended to apply this lotion 2-3 times a week before events and important occasions to achieve perfect skin. The other impact of the papaya enzymes is that they provide more brightening benefits.

How At Home Chemical Peels Work

Chemical peels involve the use of acids in a process that the practitioner uses to effectively eliminate the dead skin cells on the face as well as promote the production of collagen and elastin. As the outer layers are sloughed off, new skin cells with better tone and texture move up to the surface.

It is also important to note that there exists a variation in the type of acid and its concentration—a general guideline is that low concentrations are better for daily or sensitive skin use than high concentration acids as they are gentler while high concentration acids should be used weekly or monthly with protection.

Ingredients to look for in home chemical peels

Here are the common acids found in at-home treatments and how they benefit your complexion:

AHAs such as glycolic, lactic, and mandelic are used to treat problems of pigmentation, uneven skin tone/texture, fine lines, and elasticity by accelerating the rate of cell shedding since they weaken the connections between the dead and the live skin cells. They replenish without shedding many layers of skin. Glycolic acid gives the maximum depth of penetration; while lactic and mandelic acid, which are relatively gentle, are used when there is sensitivity to the use of acids.
Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) such as salicylic help in unclogging the pores and reducing blackheads and also non-inflammatory acne through their ability to penetrate through oil laden follicles. It also reduces the build-up of skin cells that cause the skin to become coarse and lackluster. Since they are oil soluble, BHA gets deeper into the pores than AHA.
Usually for home use, AHAs and BHAs do not surpass 30% and are always followed by a pH-neutralizing phase to minimize redness and pin-prick sensations. Areas such as the eyes and the lips are shielded since the acids should not come into direct contact with the skin. Rinse-off masks, pads and serums enable you to regulate the contact time and concentration level.

Tips for doing chemical peeling at home

This is something that should be avoided since chemical peeling, particularly the higher percentage ones, interferes with the skin’s natural moisture balance if the skin is over stripped.It can therefore lead to irritation, inflammation, sensitivity, redness and micro scarring if not canceled.

To avoid complications, we recommend following these at-home chemical peel tips,

It is always advisable to introduce the product on a small area at the back of the neck then apply it on the face for 24- 48 hours in order to check if the skin has any adverse reaction to it. Pain and erythema are expected if transient and resolving.
Gradually incorporate acids into your routine starting with leave-on acids before going into short-contact masking.
Do not use peel more than once a week gradually increasing up to once in two to three days when using a 30% AHA/BHA combination or less when using the lower concentrations in between.
This product is not recommended for use by anyone with open wounds, rashes, eczema flare-ups or sensitive skin.
Do not rub on eyes, lips, or nostril area.
Shower off thoroughly after the suggested chemical interaction period then use a moisturizer.
Always make sure that they apply their SPF the following day as the skin becomes sensitive to light after exfoliation.
Do not use it continuously for more than three days if it is causing ongoing redness, stinging or peeling which may indicate skin damage and compromised skin barrier. It is recommended to wait for the skin to heal before continuing with the treatment.
Chemical peels are contraindicated if you are in topical irritants that include retinol, benzoyl peroxide or any medicine for acne orally; it is better to consult your dermatologist.

Benefits of chemical peeling

Improved skin texture and tone: Chemical exfoliants work to remove dead skin cells and other debris in order to reveal healthy cells and healthy skin. Acne scars, sun spots and melasma might also be faded through the acceleration of the rate of cell turnover resulting from regular use.
Unclogged, tighten pores: The salicylic and glycolic acids are able to reach the pore lining to mobilize sebum, bacteria, and dead skin cells that cause blackheads and breakouts. From the observed results, pores seem to become less visible and the skin appears refined as the cream is constantly applied.
Fading of fine lines/wrinkles: Using acids to stimulate collagen production results in the filling up of the pores around wrinkles which causes the skin to appear raised. Outcome is transient but proper use educates the skin to produce collagen on its own. You should add vitamin C, retinol and peptides to exponentially increase the synthesis for diminishing crow’s feet, forehead lines, smile lines.
Brightened, glowing complexion: Dead skin cells are shed hence allowing the natural glowing skin to surface. Brightening of the skin surface is achieved through the use of acids for facial skin exfoliation. The steady application makes for outstanding levels of brightness in the long run.
Increased product absorption: Eliminating textural issues also helps in reducing the skin’s natural lipid lipids, while the gentle disruption of the lipid bonds in the stratum corneum also enhances the permeability of your other skin care ingredients such as serums and anti-aging based treatments.

Meet the expert:

Over-the-counter chemical peels are effective in giving new skin cover with less complications and costs than those administered in spas. The expert recommendations above provide first-rate performance depending on your skin type, whether you are struggling with acne, seeking to minimize wrinkles, or seeking to have an even skin tone. It is good to introduce acids slowly and gradually into your skin care starting with the mild ones before proceeding to stronger ones and remember to rinse off well till there is no residue left.