At-Home Chemical Peels 101 | Benefits, Types, and Tips

The perk of at-home chemical peels is that these convenient products deliver visibly refined, glowing skin, without a lengthy in-office treatment. Skin resurfacing with at-home facial peel products can rejuvenate your skin’s appearance and address common skincare concerns, such as roughness and discoloration.

Before adding chemical exfoliators to your regimen, you should understand what the treatment does, its benefits, and how to select the best products for your skin type and desired results. Follow along to learn the basics of at-home chemical peels, including U Beauty’s signature Flash Peel.

How At-Home Facial Peel Products Work

Like professional treatments, chemical peels you can do at home use keratolytic agents, or facial acids, to exfoliate. These work by weakening the bonds between dead skin cells and allowing them to shed. Glycolic acid is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and a common keratolytic agent in chemical exfoliants, including U Beauty’s resurfacing treatments. The action of glycolic acid results in hydrated skin and visibly smoothed texture and complexion.

3 Benefits of At-Home Chemical Peels

Many people incorporate chemical exfoliants into their regimens because of the undeniable therapeutic and cosmetic benefits. Here’s a rundown of what you can get out of a chemical peel you can do at home:

1. Convenience 

At-home chemical peels typically do not require downtime, so you can treat your face without needing a PTO day before resuming regular activities. You also don’t need to make an appointment at a dermatology clinic, and can instead apply a chemical peel when and where it’s most convenient.

2. Therapeutic Effects

Chemical peels for home use often feature glycolic acid, which provides therapeutic benefits including increased collagen production and decreased visible deficiencies and discoloration. Chemical exfoliators with retinol can also help reduce the appearance of large pores.

3. Cosmetic Improvements

After shedding dead skin cells, the skin is visibly softened, refreshed, and brighter. This enhanced appearance lasts after an at-home chemical peel thanks to the ingredients that penetrate the skin and fortify its surface. The results of glycolic acid are nearly immediate, leaving your skin visibly refreshed in minutes.

Chemical Exfoliant Types

Chemical peels generally fall into three strength categories: superficial, medium, and deep. The variations allow you to customize treatment for your skin type and concerns. The concentration and active ingredients usually define the intensity of the treatment. Here’s a quick explanation of chemical peel types:

Superficial Facial Peels

At-home chemical peels are often superficial, which simply means they work with minimal penetration. Superficial peels target the outermost layer of the skin, so they are ideal chemical exfoliants for sensitive skin. Though superficial peels are the mildest, they visibly smooth the skin’s texture and address appearance concerns, like visible discoloration. Glycolic acid is often the agent in superficial peels because it provides a gentler action that’s robust enough for results and less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

Medium Peels

If you’re looking for stronger at-home facial peel products, look for those marked as medium intensity. The chemicals used in these exfoliators will remove skin cells from the outer layer and partially penetrate into the skin’s middle layer. Keratolytic agents for medium peels include TCA (trichloroacetic acid), Jessner’s solution, and glycolic acid. For a chemical peel you can do at home, consider a formula with glycolic acid, like U Beauty’s Flash Peel. TCAs and Jessner’s solution are often found in medical-grade products and best left to professionals.

Deep Facial Peels

Due to the intensity of the chemicals in deep facial peels, these are generally administered by professionals. A dermatologist may recommend this treatment for moderate or severe skin conditions. Deep facial peels require pre-treatment and recovery time, depending on the intensity.

At-Home Facial Peel Products

Don’t confuse at-home facial peels with over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all skincare. Not all chemical peels are created equal. Investing in luxury skincare is often worth it because these chemical peels you can do at home are formulated with effective ingredients that help prevent overtreatment, without sacrificing results. 

Remember that chemically exfoliated skin also requires support between treatments. Your facial products should include formulas to hydrate and protect your refreshed, vibrant skin. 

A balanced skincare regimen should look something like this lineup:

• At-Home Chemical Exfoliator: Look for skincare exfoliators made for home use with high-quality ingredients, including gentle yet effective glycolic acid, to get your desired results.
• Sun Protection: Chemical exfoliating can increase sun sensitivity; prioritize protection with U Beauty’s Sheer Mineral Sunscreen.
• Complexion Booster: Keep your complexion glowing between chemical peels using our Resurfacing Compound, a multi-tasking serum made for visibly brighter, smoother, and more refined skin.
• Targeted Treatments: Give areas with additional skincare concerns extra support with targeted treatments for under-eye wrinkles or fine lines. 

Tips for Using At-Home Chemical Peels

At-home facial peel products are generally safe, but they do contain acid that can harm your skin if you’re not careful. All you need to do to do a chemical peel at home is to order a quality formula for home use and follow the instructions closely. While it sounds simple, we also recommend you consider these expert tips to help make the process smoother:

• Choose the right product: Pay attention to the intensity of the acids in the peel and look for an at-home facial peel product with high-quality ingredients designed to nourish the skin while it works.
• Follow instructions: Many chemical peels offer primer instructions to reduce post-inflammatory responses; read the directions and always apply peels to clean, dry skin. 
  Test a small area first: Perform a patch test to see how your skin reacts to the chemical peel; this is especially important when using chemical exfoliants for treating sensitive skin.
• Protect your skin: Sunblock is a must after an at-home flash peel with AHAs and BHAs, which can increase the skin’s sun sensitivity. Additionally, leave exfoliators out of your regimen while using a chemical peel.
• Hydrate your skin: Keep your skin moisturized after the treatment to support your skin while the action continues beyond the surface.

Now that you understand the basics of at-home chemical peels, try one for yourself. Shop U Beauty’s entire skincare collection to find everything you need to boost your routine. Don’t forget the sunblock and nourishing hydrator to support your newly radiant complexion from the inside out.

Source:
Guide To Facial Acids | Cleveland Clinic
Glycolic Acid Peel Therapy | National Library of Medicine