The 15 Best Chemical Peels You Can Try At Home For Super-Smooth Skin
We promise you'll find this a-peeling.
getty We live in a truly blessed time, especially when it comes to skincare. Right now, we have more science-backed treatments that prevent aging than ever before. One of the most popular spa treatments today are chemical peels.
Chemical peels use chemicals to melt away the first couple of layers of skin, which in turn helps improve the overall tone and texture of your face. They’re used for anti-aging purposes, fighting acne, improving skin tone, and exfoliation. Simply put, they’re skincare miracles in tiny bottles.
For the most part, chemical peels are relegated to the world of spa professionals. That doesn’t mean you can’t get yourself the best at-home chemical peel. These following peels are perfect for people who want to get a spa-like glow without spending a fortune.
1. Smooth & Radiant: Peel + Brighten by Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
If you’re looking for chemical peels that are foolproof and offer a professional finish, you really can’t go wrong with the skincare offered up by Dr. Dennis Gross. This chemical peel is dermatologist-formulated and works to tighten up pores, even out skin texture, and slough off dead skin.
What you’re going to love is the gentleness of this chemical peel, and how easy it is to use. You don’t even need to be a skincare fan to be able to work this peel to perfection. That being said, it’s ideal for combination skin.
(Sephora, $48)
2. Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel by Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
It’s no secret that chemical peels don’t always work with every skin type. If you have dry skin, you may have trouble with harsher peels. If you have sensitive skin, you absolutely will need to have a peel that is gentle.
Having trouble finding the right peel for your skin type? Dr. Dennis Gross’ Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peels are the peels for you. They are designed to work with every single skin type out there, and are gentle enough to be used on a daily basis.
(Sephora, $88)
3. Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads by Peter Thomas Roth
Peter Thomas Roth has become one of the hottest names in skincare, and the company’s sterling reputation is well-earned. For people who want to grab chemical peels that pack a powerful anti-aging punch, you really can’t get better than the Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads offered up by this skincare powerhouse.
A quick wipe with one of those pads will reveal glowing, youthful skin faster than you ever thought was possible. What’s not to love?
(Sephora, $45)
4. Facial Radiance Pads by First Aid Beauty
Finding the best at-home chemical peel at a budget price is not easy. In most cases, you’ll end up with a peel that doesn’t work, or you’ll end up with a peel that is way too harsh for your skin to handle without a breakout. First Aid Beauty came to the rescue with an affordable chemical peel pad kit.
These Facial Radiance Pads are all about helping you release your inner glow at a fraction of the price of other pads. They’re foolproof, gentle, but still get the job done.
(Sephora, $30)
5. Instant Transformation Lemon Facial Peel by Ole Henriksen
The acidity of lemon has been used as a skincare aid for centuries — first as a toner, then as a cleanser, and now, it’s being used as a facial peel! Ole Henriksen recently put together an exclusive release for Sephora using the transformative properties of lemon to give skincare fans a great at-home facial peel.
This peel is great for giving you a smooth surface for makeup, reducing fine lines, and reducing pore size. More importantly, it’s great for people who have very sensitive skin.
(Sephora, $48)
6. Performance Peel AP25 by Exuviance
If you’re looking for a serious punch of power, then you may want to check out Exuviance’s Performance Peel. As the name suggests, this is an at-home chemical peel that doesn’t play around. Using ingredients like glycolic acid, AHA, and mandelic acid to help slough off dead skin at a breakneck speed.
This chemical peel is extremely effective when it comes to anti-aging and currently boasts a 100 percent success rate when it comes to visibly reducing fine lines and wrinkles with use. That’s impressive!
(Amazon, $64)
7. 30% Glycolic Acid Peel by Perfect Image
At this point in the list, you’re no longer working with chemical peels that are made strictly for at-home use. Perfect Image’s chemical peel features a highly concentrated amount of glycolic acid, chamomile, and green tea extract in levels that are considered to be pretty typical for medi-spa use.
Don’t be afraid, though. This deep-penetrating chemical peel comes with instructions, has soothing qualities, and is absolutely a dream for anyone who wants to get rid of dead skin like a pro.
(Amazon, $30)
8. Treatment Enzyme Peel by AmorePacific
AmorePacific is a brand many might not be familiar with, but has quietly been taking over the luxury skincare industry by storm. The company currently makes one of the only powder-based chemical peel treatments to hit the market, and to a point, it’s that novelty that made it spread like wildfire.
Novelty aside, this is one of the gentlest daily exfoliator peels you’ll ever see. Specially formulated to offer up exfoliation, dullness correction, and brightening effects, this K-beauty import will make everyone compliment your skin.
(Sephora, $60)
9. Turnaround Radiance Peel by Clinique
Clinique was one of the first makeup brands to make a point of using science to create top quality skincare products. Considering their long history of putting science to the forefront of their formulas, it’s not surprising that they created one of the best high-performance chemical peels on the market.
The Turnaround Radiance peel is so strong, it’s only supposed to be administered once a week. With that weekly use, you should see some seriously radiant skin and a way more youthful appearance.
(Sephora, $28)
10. White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel by Erno Laszlo
Vitamin C goes by another name: ascorbic acid. Everyone’s favorite vitamin has been established as one of the safest ingredients for skin. Due to vitamin C’s acidic nature, it’s also a great ingredient to gently slough off dead skin while preventing damage from free radials that cause premature aging.
If you love the idea of using vitamin C to help your skin glow, then it’s easy to see how this chemical peel could be your best choice. It helps prevent aging, gets rid of dead skin, and also just feels amazing!
(Sephora, $100)
11. Rapid Resurfacing Peel by Murad
Spas love Murad, and that’s because Murad loves skin! This hyper-popular skincare company recently joined the at-home chemical peel fray, and we’re thankful for it. Their Rapid Resurfacing Peel has become a beauty industry darling, and for all the right reasons.
This is one of the better chemical peels to choose if you’re new to doing your own skin treatments and want to improve the look of your skin. Dull skin will never be a problem if you have this in your arsenal.
(Sephora, $44)
12. Caviar Lime Acid Peel by Lancer
Leave it to a company like Lancer to create a high-potency product that just screams luxury. If you’re looking to feel bad n’ bougie while you’re getting your skincare on, then it’s really hard to outdo Lancer’s Caviar Lime Acid Peel.
This chemical peel is designed to offer up toning properties and work to reduce fine lines in users. Folks with large pores will also love the phytic acid’s ability to shrink them up. And it’s got caviar, so you can also feel bougie while you do it up. What’s not to adore?
(Sephora, $90)
13. Glycolic Peel Mask by Caudalie
Fans of great skin already may have tried some of Caudalie's moisturizers and facial cleansers with great success. It's not surprising. This up-and-coming skincare company is becoming so popular, they've even started to open up spa locations around the world.
If you've been wanting to go to the Caudalie Spa in NYC, but haven't been able to afford it, their Glycolic Peel will give you the same results at a fraction of the cost. You'll glow like you've never glowed before!
(Sephora, $38)
14. Power Peel Multi Acid Resurfacing Pads by Jack Black
No, not the comedian — the men’s skincare company. Despite it being a product that’s developed for guys, these chemical peel pads have slowly become a favorite among women too. Why? Well, it’s because they work really well for ladies who have thicker skin.
This chemical peel works wonders for people who are trying to get an extra kick of glow, but haven’t gotten the results they wanted from other packs. It’s foolproof, and boy, does it ever work.
(Sephora, $38)
15. Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate by Kiehl’s
Finally, we’re going to take a look at what natural skincare company Kiehl’s has to offer. As you might already know, Kiehl’s has been around since the 19th Century and made a name for itself for using all-natural ingredients and giving results that leave skin looking amazing.
Their Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate is not much different in that respects. It’s gentle enough for use every day, but powerful enough to give you soft, bright skin that looks younger than ever.
(Sephora, $60)
Ossiana Tepfenhart is a Jack-of-all-trades writer based out of Red Bank, New Jersey. When she's not writing, she's drinking red wine and chilling with some cool cats. You can follow her @bluntandwitty on Twitter.
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