Let’s talk about what it is like to do a chemical peels at home, how to do it safely and some expert tips to keep in mind.
What is chemical peel?
Chemical peels are a treatment used to improve the skin on the face, neck, décolleté or hands. While most common for the face, chemical peels can be done anywhere on the body. A chemical solution is applied to the skin, causing it to exfoliate and eventually peel off. As the old skin sheds, it reveals fresh, new skin that tends to be smoother, more even and with fewer fine lines.
Type of chemical peels
First lets talk about chemical peel strenght. There are different types of chemical peels: light, medium and deep.
Superficial (lunchtime) peel: This peel uses a mild acid like alpha-hydroxy acid to gently exfoliate the top layer of skin. It’s great for improving minor skin discoloration, rough texture, and giving the face, neck, chest or hands a quick refresh. Healing takes about 1 to 7 days. Your skin may be red and peel a bit. You will need to apply moisturizer until it heals and use sunscreen every day.
Medium peel: These take about 7 to 14 days to heal. Treated skin will initially be red and swollen. Swelling worsens for the first 48 hours. This one uses glycolic or trichloroacetic acid to go deeper into the skin, targeting the outer and middle layers. It helps with things like age spots, fine lines, freckles and more noticeable skin discoloration. It can also help smooth out rough patches and treat some precancerous skin growths, like actinic keratosis.
Deep peel: Healing time for deep peels is around 14 to 21 days. This stronger peel uses trichloroacetic acid or phenol to deeply penetrate the skin and remove damaged cells. It’s more intense and can treat deeper lines, age spots, freckles and shallow scars. The results are often more dramatic, but there is a higher risk of side effects. It is important to avoid sun exposure for 3 to 6 months. You will need a few follow-up appointments to ensure everything is healing properly.
Chemical peels at home
From here on, we willl be focusing only on mild and medium chemical peels in this article. Doing chemical peels at home can be an easy way to give your skin a refresh, but it is important to stick to mild options. Deeper peels should only be done by professionals since they can be too harsh. Always do a patch test first and follow the instructions carefully to keep your skin safe and get the best results.
Benefits of chemical peels at home
Chemical peels can do a lot for your skin that go beyond basic exfoliation. Here is what research shows:
Clearer skin: Chemical peels deeply exfoliate the skin, removing dead cells and unclogging pores, helping to prevent breakouts. A 2018 systematic review found that salicylic acid and glycolic acid peels significantly reduced acne lesions in multiple clinical trials (NCBI).
More even skin tone: Peels help fade dark spots, sun damage and post-acne marks, leaving the complexion brighter and more even. Studies show that trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and lactic acid peels are particularly effective for reducing hyperpigmentation (NCBI).
Anti-aging effects: Some peels do more than just surface-level work. They actually help stimulate collagen production over time. That means fewer fine lines, smoother texture and a firmer, more youthful look.
Better product absorption: One underrated perk of a good peel? It clears the way for your other skincare to do its job better. With that dead skin out of the way, your serums and moisturizers can absorb more easily and work more effectively.
Risks and possible side effects of a chemical peel
Just like with any skin treatment, there are some risks to doing a chemical peel at home. That’s why it’s important to carefully read the instructions and ingredients and begin with a mild peel. Doing a chemical peel at home is something you take on at your own risk. If you are unsure or not feeling confident, it is always a good idea to see a professional. They can do it safely and give you better results.
Common side effects of doing a chemical peel at home include redness, infection, scarring, and discoloration. There is also a higher risk of infection (viral, fungal or bacterial), because your skin is more vulnerable after the peel. To help reduce these risks, make sure your workspace is clean and disinfected, and always wash your hands before starting. Scarring and abnormal pigmentation can also occur if the peel is not done properly or if aftercare isn’t followed carefully.
How do you prepare for a chemical peel at home?
Before you do a chemical peel at home, it’s important to prep your skin to avoid irritation. Skip waxing, epilating, or using hair removal products at least a week before the peel, as they can make your skin more sensitive. The same goes for hair bleaching on your face – best to avoid it. Also stop using facial scrubs and exfoliants in the week leading up to the peel. This will help prevent over-exfoliating and minimize the risk of irritation, giving you a better experience and results.
It is a good to avoid doing a chemical peel if you have been spending a lot of time in the sun or recently got a tan, since your skin will be more sensitive and prone to irritation. Winter is usually a better time for peels when you are not out in the sun as much.
How often should you do a chemical peel at home?
For mild chemical peels, aim to do them about once every two weeks. If you are using medium-strength peels, it is best to space them out to once a month or every 6 weeks. This gives your skin enough time to recover between treatments and helps avoid irritation. Otherwise, overdoing it can cause serious issues like burns, excessive peeling, long-term sensitivity or even damage to your skin. Always listen to your skin and adjust the frequency if needed.
How to do chemical peel at home
It is a good idea to start with a milder peel and slowly work your way up to stronger ones as your skin gets used to the treatment.
The number one rule for doing a chemical peel at home is to follow the instructions exactly. Some peels need to be used more or less often, and the time they should stay on your skin before rinsing can vary. Always check the label to make sure you are using it correctly. After a chemical peel, make sure to protect your skin from the sun since it is more sensitive and can be easily damaged.
Type of chemical peels at home
The types of chemical peels you can buy over the counter depend on the country you live in. Different countries have different regulations regarding the strength and types of peels available to consumers. For your safety, make sure to only buy products that are legally available over the counter in your country. Most chemical peels come in different strengths, so the same type of peel can be mild or really strong, depending on the concentration. For example, a glycolic peel can be as gentle as 10% for light exfoliation or as strong as 70% for deep resurfacing. The same goes for salicylic acid, lactic acid and TCA peels. If you are doing a peel at home always start with a lower concentration and see how your skin reacts before going stronger.
Glycolic peel
A chemical peel made from sugar cane that exfoliates the skin, improves texture, and fades dark spots. It is great for dry or aging skin and helps smooth fine lines.
Salicylic acid peel
A peel that goes deep into the pores to clear out oil and dirt, making it perfect for acne-prone and oily skin. It helps with breakouts, blackheads, and clogged pores.
Lactic peel
A gentle peel made from milk that hydrates while exfoliating. It is ideal for sensitive or dry skin, helping to brighten and even out skin tone without too much irritation.
TCA peel
A stronger peel that works on deeper skin concerns like wrinkles, acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Because it is more intense, it is best for experienced users or professional treatments.
Jessner peel
A mix of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and resorcinol that targets acne, oily skin, sun damage, and pigmentation. It is stronger than basic peels but not as deep as a TCA peel.
Mandelic acid peel
A gentle AHA peel derived from almonds. It’s great for sensitive skin, reducing redness, acne, and pigmentation with minimal irritation.
Azelaic acid peel
Ideal for acne-prone and rosacea-prone skin. It helps with inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone.
Kojic acid peel
A peel that focuses on brightening the skin and reducing dark spots, often used to treat melasma and sun damage.
Phenol peel
The deepest and most intense type of peel, used for severe wrinkles, sun damage, and scars. It requires professional supervision and has a long recovery time.
Retinol peel
Uses a high concentration of retinol (Vitamin A) to speed up cell turnover, improve texture and reduce fine lines and pigmentation.
Enzyme peel
A natural peel that uses fruit enzymes (like papaya, pumpkin, or pineapple) to gently exfoliate. It is great for sensitive skin and provides a mild glow.
Cosmelan peel
A professional-grade peel designed specifically to treat hyperpigmentation, melasma, and dark spots. It works by reducing melanin production in the skin.
Conclusion: chemical peels at home
In short, chemical peels at home can be a simple and effective way to improve your skin, if you want to treat acne, hyperpigmentation, skin texture, wrinkles or uneven skin tone. Just make sure to start with milder peels, follow the instructions carefully and listen to your skin, because you don’t want to damage it. Results might take some time, so be patient and consistent. If you are unsure or want stronger results, seeing a professional is always a safe bet.
