(July 19 - Aug 27)
The chemical peel. Those words can be quite scary for most people, even I was opposed to them for years, I heard horror stories of peels gone wrong and saw my boyfriend have a terrible reaction and get a severe burn from a bad peel. Though I avoided peels, I kept doing my research and I've since become a convert, doing them myself at home every week. I'm a huge fan of chemical exfoliants, they've faded scars that I've had for years and give me a healthy glow.
In the first part of my chemical peel series I'll describe the different types of peels you can use and offer some recommendations on peels and other exfoliants. Let's get into it!
It's important to start slowly with the weakest type of acid at the lowest percentage with the shortest application time. If your iffy on your do-it-yourself skills, go to a professional dermatologist or esthetician first and let them know it's your first time. If you want to dive right in or just want to learn the facts, here's a list of the types of chemicals used in a peel.
Types of Chemical Acids:
Lactic Acid | A fairly mild chemical exfoliant, it's an awesome beginners AHA and works well for fading hyperpigmentation. Lactic acid is derived from milk and works well on all skin types.
Glycolic Acid | Stronger than lactic acid, it's next up on the list. Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane, works best on normal to oily skin, and is also an AHA - exfoliating the surface of the skin.
Mandelic Acid | The least irritating and mildest exfoliant on the market. Also an AHA, but takes longer to penetrate the skin's surface. Mandelic acid is derived from almonds and is suitable for acne-prone, sensitive, sun-damaged, and/or deeper complexions.
Salicylic Acid | A beta-hydroxy, BHA, that is oil-soluble - meaning it can penetrate deeper into the oily/acne-prone skin to loosen up blackheads or clear pores.
Trichloreacetic Acid | Also known as TCA, it is the most intensive acid to use at home. Some use it for fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, or even indented acne scarring. It's not recommended for beginners.
I purchased a 40% lactic acid chemical peel kit from
Makeup Artist's Choice. My sample size has lasted for months with weekly peels, and I still have half a bottle left. It comes with a pH balancing toner which you use before and after the peel and some instructions for a safe at home treatment.
If you're still on the fence about peels, I can recommend lower strength exfoliants that you can use once a week or whenever you want some extra deep cleaning.
Paula's Choice | My number one place to get exfoliants. I use two of her products daily, the
2% BHA Liquid (salicylic) and the
8% AHA Gel (glycolic). I can't speak any more highly of PC exfoliants, they're gentle but effective and work great for people who want to dip their feet into chemical exfoliants. The
Weekly Resurfacing Treatment (10% glycolic) is also a great first step before diving into chemical peels. (All Paula's Choice exfoliants are 20% off right now!!)
Alpha Hydrox | Though I haven't used any of their products, I've heard nothing but good things about this brand. It's a cheaper alternative to PC but looks like it's just as effective. The
Oil-Free Treatment is a 10% glycolic gel and the
Swipes are 14% glycolic acid soaked cotton pads. Both can make great weekly treatments.
I hope you enjoyed my recommendations but check back for Part II for a run down of my chemical peel routine and a few more tips and tricks! Thanks again for visiting!!
**This is not a sponsored post. All products mentioned where purchased by me or researched based on effectiveness. I do have a Paula's Choice referral code, like every member account on their website, and you can use it for $10 off your first order. Let me know how you like the products!
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