9 Things You Need To Know About Peels Before You Do One

Don’t let the term “peel” scare you. These chemical exfoliants gently resurface your skin to treat acne, fine lines, uneven pigmentation and more. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Know the main issue you want to treat.

Peels can treat a wide range of skin issues—brown spots, acne, rough texture, fine lines, clogged pores—but focusing on one specific problem can help narrow down the right peel for you, says Kate Holcomb, MD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.

Renee Rouleau, a celebrity aesthetician based in Dallas, Texas, breaks down peels into two categories: preventative and reparative. “For the most part reparative treats discoloration, acne or clogged pres,” she explains, “while preventative peels focus on jumpstarting cell turnover and rejuvenation.” Either way, your skin looks fresher, smoother and brighter after a treatment.

Plus, peels can actually help treat dry skin. When dry skin builds up on the surface, the dead cells create a barrier that prevents moisturizers from penetrating. A peel helps remove those dead surface cells, Rouleau explains, so hydrating ingredients can do their work.

“Peels can also be customized and layered to deliver the best results for your skin type,” says Dendy Engleman a NYC dermatologist and director of dermatologic surgery at New York Medical College. So peels are not one-size-treats-all.

2. A combination of acids is the most effective.

Several different acids can be used in a peel, but the work in different ways and may be more effective when combined. Peels most often contain one or more of the following: salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, Dr.  Engleman explains. She’s a fan of the new SkinCeuticals Advanced Corrective Peel because it contains a potent antioxidant that helps the acids penetrate better and work more effectively.

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