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14 At-Home Chemical Peels That’ll Brighten Your Skin Over Time
By Nykia Spradley,
13 days ago
Chemical peels have come a long way from the formulas that require a pro's hand or several days of downtime. Some of the best chemical peels pack in exfoliating acids that quickly and gently smooth away dead skin and brighten dark spots—all without irritation. The best part? Many of them are bottled to be safe and effective to use at home, from the comfort of your bathroom mirror.
As the name suggests, at-home chemical peels use single or combinations of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), or polyhydroxy acid (PHAs) to remove dead skin, unclog pores, and treat different types of hyperpigmentation. Depending on your skin type, tolerance to certain ingredients, and goals, chemical peels can deliver quick skin-clearing results. For consistently clear skin, you can add a milder chemical to exfoliant into your routine and watch it brighten and retexturize over time. Physical exfoliants certainly have their place in a skin-care routine, but an at-home chemical peel is the way to go for deeper, more consistent skin-smoothing.
However, chemical peels aren't one-size-fits-all, and you should consider ingredients, goals, and application methods before adding one to your cart. To help break down exactly what to look for in an at-home peel, we tapped Dr. David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at IDRISS Dermatology in New York City, for his tips. But first, let's get into some of our favorite at-home options, including peel pads, overnight creams, and budget-friendly formulas.
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Are at-home chemical peels safe?
Our top picks for at-homechemical peels,at a glance
Glycolic and mandelic acids are balanced out by skin-hydrating hyaluronic acid, calming aloe, and toning witch hazel in this powerful formula. The multitasking serum covers all your exfoliating and hydration needs to help streamline your routine.
Boosted by a blend of both AHAs and BHAs including glycolic and lactic acids, Farmacy’s Honey Glow works overnight to smooth uneven texture and tone. The formula is also laced with healing propolis from buckwheat honey to soothe skin and prevent irritation, and hyaluronic acid to keep skin from drying out.
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant — $35.00
Beta hydroxy acids like the salicylic acid in this peel are powerhouses for pore purging. Ideal for acne-prone skin, the liquid exfoliant breaks down excess oil and grime within pores while softening and sloughing dead skin on the surface. There’s also green tea extract to calm skin as it clears. It’s gentle enough to use twice a day depending on your skin’s tolerance.
Size: 4 fl. oz.
KateCeuticals Resurfacing Overnight Peel — $98.00
This gel-like cream feels cushiony and moisturizing as you apply it, and thanks to the retinol, glycolic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin E in the treatment, skin looks smoother and brighter by morning. It’s also worth noting that the retinol is encapsulated, so it slowly releases, making it more tolerable for sensitive skin.
Size: 1 fl. oz.
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment — $85.00
Lactic acid, the star of Sunday Riley’s Good Genes is a milder alternative to glycolic acid. You’ll still reap the same smoothing benefits but with less or no irritation. There’s also licorice in the formula to brighten up dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — $10.00
Here’s proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get smooth, clear skin. Packed with five different types of acids (glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric, and salicylic) this gem from The Ordinary tackles all angles of dead skin, clogged pores, and uneven skin texture all for under $10.
Size: 30ml
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads — $92.00
One of the OGs of at-home peels is still super popular to this day. These two-step AHA/BHA peel pads target fine lines and uneven texture while evening your skin overall. The first step is packed with glycolic, lactic, and malic acids. The second neutralizes the acids and leaves behind wrinkle-smoothing retinol, antioxidant-enriched resveratrol to protect against free radicals, and soothing green tea extract to minimize irritation.
When more intensive skin-smoothing is needed the high levels of AHAs in this mask will break down dead skin fast. Babyfacial’s combo of 25% AHAs and 2% BHAs, made up of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acids, dissolves layers of dry, flaky skin quickly. The pH of the acids in the formula is low so that the skin doesn’t become irritated while it works. There’s also a trio of matcha tea, milk thistle, and apple to calm skin and deliver antioxidant protection.
Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel — $125.00
Developed with the help of a dermatologist, this two-step peel looks to glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids to sop up gunk from congested pores while resurfacing uneven texture. Instead of adding BHAs, the peel uses kaolin and bentonite clay to do even more deep cleaning of excess dirt and oil within pores, without over-drying the skin.
Size: 8 treatments
PCA Skin Resurfacing Serum — $105.00
With the goal of overall radiance, the serum uses lactic acid and a slow-release glycolic complex alongside lactobionic acid, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), that also gently exfoliates and acts as a humectant to draw moisture into the skin. Hydrolyzed prickly pear flower extract complements the acid trio to deliver more sloughing and skin barrier reinforcement.
A potent dose of 10% glycolic acid works while you sleep to increase cell turnover. By the morning, skin is brighter, more even, and thanks to jojoba and sunflower oils, less irritated. Use this as a prerequisite to a more intensive chemical peel or on its own for consistent brightening.
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
iS Clinical Active Peel Treatment System — $94.00
Along with its polishing effects, this two-step peel gives skin a noticeably firmer feel but not the dried-out, tight feeling when skin is dehydrated. A mix of fruit acids and sugarcane do the exfoliating while copper peptides improve on skin’s elasticity and the look of fine lines.
When you’re hunting for an immediate brightness boost, a few minutes with this cherry-infused peel will do the trick. It looks and smells like a fruity compote but also has lactic acid, which helps instantly buff off dead skin (without being too harsh). Just slather on a layer, enjoy a cup of coffee on your couch (or whatever you can do at home in five-ish minutes), and you’ll be glowing when you rinse it off. Use it regularly to help your skin stay bright over time.
Size: 1.69 fl oz
Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Peel, — $79.00
If you’re playing the long game of fading hyperpigmentation, a tube (or two) of this is worth the investment. Formulated with a 12% AHA and PHA blend, along with niacinamide and tranexamic acid, it’ll work to reduce the appearance of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation over time, revealing a smoother, more vibrant skin tone. Pair it with a solid routine with other spot-fading products, and you’ll be happy with your progress over time.
Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
Do at-home chemical peels work?
At-home chemical peels can work great to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while sloughing off dead skin and improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation, Dr. Kim says. Choosing the best one comes down to how much sloughing your skin needs and knowing which ingredients will target your specific skin concerns.
What is the best at-home chemical peel for beginners?
Always check the ingredient label first if you’re just starting with chemical peels. “It's best to use products with low levels of glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid so it's not too harsh on the skin,” says Dr. Kim. You’ll also want to start with a formula that has lower concentrations of active acids and that combines more hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or soothing oils. These are also best for beginners since the moisturizers also act as a buffer to prevent any potential irritation.
Are at-home chemical peels safe?
Dr. Kim says that chemical peels are safe to use at home. However, as with any new skin treatment, check with your dermatologist if you have sensitive skin or are unsure how certain ingredients will interact with your other skin-care products. While many chemical peel options are safe for most skin types, Dr. Kim says that people with sensitive skin conditions like rosacea and eczema may not be the best candidates for chemical peels in general. “They may develop an allergic reaction and break out in a rash, or their skin may take much longer to recover from the peel and stay red for some time.” Always patch-test your peel to see how your skin will respond before applying it all over your face.
Even if your skin is more tolerant to exfoliants, there’s some prep needed before diving into a peel routine. “You shouldn't have been out in the sun, should stop retinol or tretinoin at least for two to three days, and make sure your skin barrier isn't compromised so skin can tolerate the peel,” Kim advises.
Final takeaway
No matter how much sloughing you think your skin needs, Kim says that chemical peels shouldn’t be used more than twice a month. “Chemical peels would be helpful to reset the skin or if you have very stubborn hyperpigmentation, however, consistency is key and for most people, using gentler acids more regularly would be more beneficial and tolerable to the skin,” says Kim. Once you’re ready to get smooth, consider the expert-approved options above to be the best at-home chemical peels around.
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