At-home chemical peels used to give me pause. Perhaps it’s because the term conjured images of harsh treatments designed to remove literal layers of skin—and while in some cases that can be true when done by a professional—I’ve learned that there are a handful of incredible, efficacious formulas that deliver smoother, brighter skin with zero downtime. Chock full of regenerative igredients like AHAs, BHAs, retinol, and fruit enzymes, these have the ability to transform one’s complexion in sometimes a single use. But do they work as well as their in-office counterparts? Are they actually safe to do at home? Ahead, two dermatologists and a medical aesthetician weigh in.
Our Top Picks
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Best with Retinol: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
- Why We Love It: Dr. Dennis Gross’s Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel is a top pick of Camp’s. A two-step system, this “delivers alpha and beta-hydroxy acids in the first step to removed dead skin cells, brighten skin, and improve the penetration of ingredients in the second step, which includes retinol to help boost collagen production and green tea extract, which is rich in antioxidants.” Even Vogue‘s audience development associate manager Molly Barstein is a fan. “I recommend using them one to two times a week in the beginning and promise that you will wake up in the morning with baby-soft skin,” she previously said.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, citric acid, chamomille, retinol, green tea extract, resveratrol
- Best For: Hyperpigmentation, acne, dullness, uneven texture
- Type: Toner pads
- Size: 30 per box
Best Serum: The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA Gentle Exfoliating Serum
- Why We Love It: “Mandelic acid, derived from almonds, is a favorite acid for sensitive skin types,” Murphy-Rose explains, citing this option by The Ordinary as an excellent option for its 10% mandelic acid concentration. “The formulation comes as a liquid with a dropper,” she continues. “Just squeeze a few drops onto your fingertips and massage onto clean skin, avoiding the eye area. This peel can be left on and does not need to be reversed/neutralized.”
- Key Ingredients: Mandelic acid
- Best For: Uneven texture, hyperpigmentation, dullness
- Type: Serum
- Size: 30 mL
Best Toner Pads: Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads
- Why We Love It: “Made with patented tri-enzyme technology and a probiotic ferment complex, these one-step peel pads reduce the appearance of dullness and promote a healthier, brighter and renewed complexion,” Camp explains. Because this is not led by a potent blend of AHAs and BHAs, this is a more gentle solution—perfect for someone looking to introduce an exfoliant daily or someone with sensitive skin.
- Key Ingredients: Elemis’s Tri-Enzyme Technology, probiotic ferment complex, lactic acid
- Best For: Dullness, enlarged pores
- Type: Toner pad
- Size: 60 per jar
Best Rinse-Off: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
- Why We Love It: Prefer a rinse-off chemical peel? Look no further than this Paula’s Choice solution. In its sleek gray tube is a rich gel mask packed with an impressive cocktail salicylic, glycolic, lactic acid, mandelic, malic, and tartaric acids to visibly improve the look of dark spots, sun damage, and enlarged pores in just one use. When I really started my skin-care journey, it was one of the first products that I saw instant results with. Once use per week is all you need.
- Key Ingredients: 2% salicylic acid, 8.4% glycolic acid, 7.1% lactic acid, 5% mandelic acid, 2.5% malic acid, 2% tartaric acid, chamomile, allantoin
- Best For: Enlarged pores, hyperpigmentation, sun damage,
- Type: Rinse-off peel
- Size: 1 fl. oz
Best Night Treatment: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
- Why We Love It: If you’d prefer your chemical peel as a night serum, Drunk Elephant’s is for you. Backed by Murphy-Rose, this blends five exfoliants (glycolic, lactic, salicylic, tartaric, and citric acids) and raspberry fruit extract into a satiny gel that helps refine pores and limit breakouts with consistent use. “It is a great serum for those with acne-prone skin or those hoping to gradually reverse sun damage, fine lines and dark spots,” she continues. With its potent composition in mind, Murphy-Rose says this is best for someone experienced with at-home peels looking for something a little bit stronger.
- Key Ingredients: AHAs (glycolic, lactic, tartaric and citric acid), salicylic acid, raspberry fruit extract
- Best For: Acne, sun damage, dark spots, wrinkles, enlarged pores
- Type: Serum
- Size: 30 mL
Best for Special Occasions: Shani Darden Triple Acid Signature Peel
- Why We Love It: There are few people I’d trust with a chemical peel and one of them is Shani Darden. Esthetician to the stars, she’s made a name for herself with red carpet-ready complexions; and fortunately, she’s given us a take on her in-office treatment with this Triple Acid Signature Peel. As the name suggests, this two-step system begins with three acids (lactic, glycolic, and mandelic) mixed into a viscous serum-like solution. Apply to skin, let sit for two minutes maximum, and follow with Step Two—a kaolin clay-powered mask which helps rebalance skin and remove excess surface oils. After ten minutes, rinse off to reveal a glowingly smooth face sans irritation.
- Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, kaolin clay, bentonite clay
- Best For: Uneven texture, enlarged pores, oily skin
- Type: Two-Step Mask
- Size: Eight treatments per box
Best for Dry Skin: La Mer The Micro Peel
- Why We Love It: La Mer’s The Micro Peel is proof that an at-home chemical peel does not need to be a harsh treatment to be effective. In lieu of a mask or toner pad format, the brand dreamt up its exfoliating treatment into a bi-phase serum that sinks quickly into skin. A thin, even layer is all you need to allow La Mer’s Miracle Broth plus a blend of AHAs and BHA to go to work on your skin at night. Follow with your chosen face cream, and awaken to a softer, smoother, nearly poreless complexion.
- Key Ingredients: La Mer’s Miracle Broth and Miracle Broth oils, a refining ferment, glycolic acid, lactic acid, phytic acid, salicylic acid
- Best For: Enlarged pores, uneven texture, dry skin
- Type: Bi-phase serum
- Size: 30 mL / 1oz
Best for Sensitive Skin: Skincare Junkie Pore Therapy Daily Toner Pads
- Why We Love It: Murphy-Rose blended her Skincare Junkie Pore Therapy pads to exfoliate while hydrating and soothing even sensitive skin types. Basically, using this causes low risk of irritation. “Formulated with salicylic acid that penetrates deep into the pores to exfoliate from within, helping to clear out excess oil, dead skin cells, and impurities that can lead to breakouts and clogged pores,” she says. Gluconolactone, a gently exfoliating and hydrating polyhydroxy acid (PHA), is also featured alongside resurfacing fruit enzymes smooth and brighten. Finally, aloe and a 7 molecular weight blend of hyaluronic acid delivers ample moisture when skin needs it most.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, PHA, fruit enzymes, aloe, hyaluronic acid
- Best For: Sensitive skin
- Type: Toner pads
- Size: 50 pads per jar
What is a chemical peel?
“Chemical peels contain one or more alpha- or beta-hydroxy acids that acidify the outermost layers of the skin causing superficial exfoliation and increased cell turnover,” Murphy-Rose details. “The process removes dead skin cells to reveal a fresher and brighter complexion, prevent acne, lighten dark spots, minimize the appearance of pores and generally improve tone and texture. By removing the dead skin cells, many people will find that skincare products tend to work better and more efficiently.”
Gunn adds that there are different depths (or extremes) of peels.: light peels offer light exfoliation, whereas a deeper peel would require seven to ten days of downtime. Generally, at-home chemical peels are more gentle than in-office treatments which need to be completed under the care of an experienced provider.
Are chemical peels safe for skin?
“When used properly, many chemical peels are considered safe,” says Murphy-Rose, emphasizing following product instructions closely for proper use. “Chemical peels are not without side effects, and it is important to be aware of potential adverse effects including skin irritation, chemical burns, hyper- or hypo-pigmentation, scarring and infection.”
What’s the difference between an at-home chemical peel and an in-office chemical peel?
Camp explains that at-home chemical peels are usually formulated at lower concentrations than in-office peels. “This is to limit potential side effects when used by consumers,” he says. “In-office peels are formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients to deliver more robust results, but need to be applied by trained professionals to ensure safety.”
Are at-home chemical peels effective?
At-home chemical peels may offer less dramatic results than a professional treatment, but Gunn believes they are still beneficial as they typically require no downtime, while “improving the look of texture, fine lines, pigmentation, skin tone, and even acne” with consistent use.
Ingredients to Look for in an At-Home Chemical Peel
In-office or at-home, there are a few ingredients to look for in a chemical peel—a look at each below.