Does the thought of a chemical peel scare you? It should. It's not something to do lightly or with inferior products. But at-home chemical peels can be as safe and effective as an in-office treatment when reputable companies with years of expertise produce high-quality products. Here, we'll discuss chemical peels, how they work, their safety, and outline 10 of the best and safest, professional strength at-home chemical peels.
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How Chemical Peels Work
Chemical peels are essentially, super-effective exfoliation treatments. They utilize highly concentrated skincare acids from natural and manufactured sources and are intended to be used less frequently than milder daily exfoliates.
Chemical peels cause your skin to peel, aptly removing the top layers of dull, dead skin cells. In the process, they also lift away the dirt and pollutants that accumulate on your skin and block your pores every day. They'll pick up what your regular washing and moisturizing miss.
Peels are available in various strengths and will become a valued part of your regular skincare regime.
While not all of these peels are available for at-home use, here are the various strengths:
- Superficial peels - These mild peels are suitable for every skin type and give your face a refreshed look.
- Medium peels - Similar to the effect of a second-degree burn, these peels often contain trichloroacetic acid.
- Deep peels - These are usually performed in your doctor's office because they create a second-degree burn on the face and require recovery time. This kind of peel isn't for every skin type.
That some of these can mimic the effect of second-degree burns, lets you know there are risks and possible side effects. Only choose the at-home chemical peels, only use high-quality products.
Best At-Home Chemical Peels
Creating a safe yet effective chemical peel is no easy task. But the following high-quality products have been developed so you can enjoy a spa experience at home:
1 Glycolic 50% Gel Peel - Perfect Image
This is a medium-strength peel with a 50% concentration of Glycolic acid. It will aid the correction of fine lines and wrinkles, scars, hyperpigmentation, adult acne, uneven texture, age spots, and large pores. Though this product is indicated for stubborn anti-aging skin concerns in normal skin types, it isn't recommended for sensitive skin or peeler-newbies.
The performance ingredients include Green Tea, cucumber, chamomile, comfrey, and retinol.
This product uses natural ingredients to rejuvenate your skin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions. It will improve your skin's elasticity and texture by boosting collagen production and removing dead skin cells. You will see smoother, brighter, more even-toned skin with this product.
This 30 ml bottle costs $29.95 and lasts for 15 to 30 peel treatments.
Perfect Image also has Glycolic 10% for daily use, Glycolic 30% (level 1), and Glycolic 70% (level 3).
Glycolic 50% Gel Peel has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with over 2,000 ratings. One customer writes, “I actually used this for my legs since I have tanned the majority of my life and had built up dry/crepey skin. I noticed a difference the first time! … I highly recommend this!”
2 Diamond Glyco Extreme Peel - Natura Bisse
For firm and glowing skin, try Natura Bisse's Glyco Extreme Peel, made with five alpha-hydroxy acids - Glycolic, Lactic, Malic, Tartari, and Citric acids. The key ingredients are Glycolic acid and Malic acid, which rid you of the dead skin cells that dull your complexion. It also contains aloe vera and castor oil, and it's indicated for oiliness, large pores, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and dryness.
This 30 ml bottle costs $295.
Related: How Often Should You Get a Chemical Peel?
Nordstrom users give the Glyco Extreme Peel a 4.7-star rating, with 83% of users giving it five stars. Shannon123 writes, “I bought this exfoliator a few months ago and absolutely love it - I feel like I look years younger!” Marie Claire Magazine ranked the peel in the top 15 at-home chemical peels for 2023, saying, “[T]his is strong enough to visibly brighten skin without irritating it.”
3 T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial Mask - Drunk Elephant
The T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial Mask is a gentle and effective exfoliator that resurfaces your skin. This product includes an impressive 25% alpha hydroxy and 2% beta hydroxy, blended with glycolic, tartaric, citric, lactic, and salicylic acids. It's a professional-quality formula that smooths the texture of your skin while it minimizes fine lines, wrinkles, and the appearance of pore size.
This 50 ml bottle costs $80.
Users on Ulta and Sephora have given the mask more than 2,000 5-star ratings. InStyle Magazine gave the mask a glowing review in January 2023, with the author writing, “When I wake up the next morning [after using it], my skin is noticeably smoother, less dull, and the pimples I could feel wanting to sprout up are no longer teasing a return.”
Are you confident about the appearance of your skin? The power to perfect your skin is now in your hands. Visit Perfect Image to learn more.
4 Exfoliating Peel Pads - AlphaRet
These individually wrapped exfoliating peel pads by AlphaRet combine retinol with alpha and beta hydroxy acids in a product gentle enough to use 2 or 3 times per week. These pads will improve the texture and appearance of your skin while providing clarity.
Exfoliating Peel Pads are dermatologist-tested, fragrance-free, paraben-free, dye-free, and cruelty-free.
This box of 30 peel pads costs $105.
The peel pads have a 4.9-star rating on Influenster. Whitney I. writes, “These peel pads are the best on the market in my opinion.”
5 Gold Profection 22 Mask - Ambari Beauty
If you're looking for a smoother, softer, brighter face (and décolletage), this rinse-off mask treatment will work wonders. This professional strength formula fades dark spots, discolorations, imperfections, and dullness. This product's ingredient list contains adaptogenic Reishi, CBD, and naturally-derived alpha-hydroxy. It will improve your skin's texture and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving you with a youthful glow.
Marie Clare Magazine ranks Ambari Beauty’s mask as one of the top face masks in the market for acne. They note that the blend “improves skin texture for an instant glow.”
This 1 oz bottle costs $92.
6 Max Complexion Correction Pads - Peter Thomas Roth
These powerful correction pads by Peter Thomas Roth were originally formulated for acne with 2% salicylic acid. These pads also minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, pores, dry skin, and regular oil production. These pads also contain 10% Glycolic acid to reduce acne flare-ups, aloe, and Allantoin.
Amazon users give the Peter Thomas Roth correction pads a 4.6-star rating. The San Francisco Gate published a review of the pads in 2022, noting how easy they are to use.
This package of 60 pads costs $46.
7 30% Glycolic Acid Peel - Sobel Skin Rx
This Glycolic peel is indicated for dry, dull skin with blocked pores and scarring. This product will enhance your natural glow and improve the look and feel of your skin. In just minutes, this professional strength, at-home peel will exfoliate and retexturize your skin. It will also help subsequent skincare products to penetrate deeper into your skin.
Marie Claire Magazine ranked the 30% Glycolic Acid Peel in the top 15 best chemical peels for at-home use. The magazine notes that the product “is especially beloved by those who suffer from acne, acne scars, or melasma.”
This 50 ml bottle costs $46.
8 Micro Peel Peptide Pads - Dr. Loretta
These anti-aging micro peel pads take plant peptides and hydrates, nourishes, and exfoliates your skin. The low pH medical grade 10% Glycolic acid clears dead skin cells and pollutants to reveal brighter, clearer, smoother, healthier skin.
Nordstrom users give Dr. Loretta’s pads a 5-star rating. LanierGirl, a top 50 reviewer on Nordstrom, writes, “THESE THINGS WORK. My tired 56 yo skin has been transformed into freshness.
This package of 60 pads costs $60
9 Rapid Reveal Peel - Dermalogica
If your main focus is anti-aging issues, you will love Rapid Reveal Peel. This product contains caviar lime and high potency lactic acid to promote collagen production. Your skin will feel and look younger, fresher, firmer, and healthier.
The Rapid Reveal Peel has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon. One user writes, “Quick and easy to use. My skin looks amazing the next morning and I get loads of compliments.”
This 3 ml tube costs $85.
Related: Micro Dermabrasion vs. Chemical Peels
10 Alpha Beta Peel - Dr. Dennis Gross
Finally, our last but not least pick is the Extra Strength Peel Pads by Dr. Gross. These pads were developed to provide the spa experience at home. This two-step treatment will leave you with softer, smoother, younger-looking skin with daily use. You simply apply pad one to your face until it feels dry, then after two minutes, you apply pad two. It's that easy. The results are long-lasting because the ECG complex supports your skin's natural protective barrier, leaving your skin hydrated and moisturized.
Marie Claire Magazine calls the Dr. Dennis Gross peel the best at-home chemical peel on the market. They call it “really, truly the best of the best.” Marie Claire recommends the peel for any skincare problem, including dry patches and acne.
This package of 30 treatments costs $88.
Did you know you can have a professional strength chemical peel at home? We bring the spa experience to your home! Visit Perfect Image to learn more.