Refresh your skin from the comfort of your couch.
If the phrase “chemical peel” conjures the horror of seeing the Sex and the City episode where Samantha’s face is practically falling off post-feel, we understand. Peels are known for being aggressive, which can be true if you opt for an in-clinic treatment. The at-home options, however, are usually much more gentle—and still as effective.
While the fear of a red, burning face is real, if you can overcome that angst, the benefits of a chemical peel are nearly endless. Stressing over spots? A peel can help even your skin tone. Worrying about wrinkles? Some peels have anti-aging benefits. Battling blemishes? A peel can clear up pimples. We could go on and on. That’s why we conducted hours of research on the best at-home chemical peels, evaluating each on their key ingredients and the skin types they help. We also combed through several medical studies to provide helpful and current information about skin care. These 14 at-home peels are our favorite picks.
Best Overall
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily | Key Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, and Resveratrol and Green Tea Extract | Size: 5, 30, or 60 treatments | Cruelty-Free: Yes
There’s a reason—lots of reasons, really—why this long-loved Dr. Dennis Gross peel has reached cult-like status among beauty editors. First of all, it’s quick and incredibly easy to use. (It’s way easier than visiting a clinic, that’s for sure.) This two-step treatment is simple enough to include in your daily skincare routine. In fact, that’s how it’s intended to be used, so you can receive serious results from its extensive list of proven, effective ingredients without changing out of your PJs.
Here’s how this treatment, an at-home take on the popular peels the celebrity derm performs in his New York City office, works: The first pad is full of five exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, while the second pad neutralizes the acids and delivers anti-aging ingredients. Consider this peel perfection if you’re looking to treat uneven tone, texture, wrinkles, or enlarged pores.
Best Budget
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Type: Normal, Combination, and Oily | Key Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Salicylic Acid | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
“Affordable” and “chemical peels” aren’t often found in the same sentence. That is unless you’re talking about this peeling solution from The Ordinary. Packed with 30% AHA and 2% BHA, this rinse-off treatment, which you can use up to twice a week for 10 minutes each session, targets textural irregularities while brightening dullness and taking care of congested pores. It’s small in price point, but it’s mighty in terms of strength—so much so that if you’re new to chemical peels, have active blemishes, or have sensitive skin in general, you should start with a gentler product. If your skin can handle this affordable option (start with a small patch to make sure), you’ll be gifted with a bright, even, vibrant skin tone.
Best for Bouncy Skin
Kate Somerville Kateceuticals Resurfacing Overnight Peel
What We Like
What We Like
- Users appreciated the roller applicator
- Reviewers said their skin looked plumper after using
- Users said their skin looked hydrated after using this product
What to Consider
- You might want to clean the roller applicator every once in a while
Type: Dry, Combination, Normal | Key Ingredients: Stem Cell Complex, Active Peptide SuperCell Booster, Plant-Derived Squalane | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
One trademark of youthful-looking skin is bounciness. This Kate Somerville at-home chemical peel provides that and many other benefits. The formula includes a stem cell complex that reduces the look of wrinkles while also boosting cell turnover to create healthier, brighter skin. Plus, the roller is a unique touch that makes applying the product all over your skin easier.
Best Soothing
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask
Type: Normal, Oily, Combination, and Dry | Key Ingredients: 25% Alpha Hydroxy Acids, 2% BHA/Salicylic Acid, Chickpea Flour | Size: 1.69 or .50 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Check out these numbers: This exfoliating mask packs a whopping 25% alpha hydroxy and 2% salicylic acid into this petite (and pink!) bottle, so you know it means business. It’s powerful, there’s no doubt about that, but it also boasts a skin-calming antioxidant blend, so you’ll be left with an undeniable radiance. Smoother, exfoliated skin, here you come!
Key Ingredients
Marula oil is a naturally occurring oil derived from the marula tree. It’s lightweight and non-comedogenic—the specific profile of fatty acids in marula oil is very similar to the oils naturally found in the skin.1
Apply this peel once weekly for up to 20 minutes, though start with 10 minutes to ensure your skin can handle it. To make the most of this pricey product, use the pump functionality carefully so you don’t waste a single drop.
Best Natural
Tata Harper Resurfacing BHA Glow Mask
What We Like
- No fillers, synthetics, fragrances, or artificial colors
- 82% organically farmed ingredients
- Refines pores and brightens dull skin
What to Consider
- Small container
Type: Dry and Combination | Key Ingredients: BHA from White Willow Bark Extract, Pomegranate Enzymes, and Pink Clay | Size: 1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This isn’t the first accolade we’ve given Tata Harper’s Glow Mask; it was also a winner in our 2019 Eco Beauty Awards. This all-natural resurfacing mask is that good. The key ingredients include beta hydroxy acid from white willow bark and pomegranate enzymes, along with plenty of other plant-based ingredients—no fillers, synthetics, fragrances, or artificial colors. The classic way to use this mask is to apply a thick layer for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water. With that method, you can use it three times a week.
Best for Acne
Savor Beauty Yuzu Lemonade Peel
What We Like
- Users reported that the peel improves their skin texture
- Some users use the product as spot treatment when blemished appear
- Reviewers expressed delight with the product’s scent
What to Consider
- It’s not recommended for all skin types
Type: Oily to Normal | Key Ingredients: 2% Salicylic Acid, PHA, Yuzu Oil, Kakadu Plum | Size: 2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Salicylic acid has long been heralded as one of the best blemish-busting ingredients out there, thanks to its ability to break down pore-clogging oil. It’s the star of the show in this peel, making it a must-have skincare item if you’re acne-prone. Along with salicylic acid, this formula also features lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid that works to exfoliate the skin), plus brightening elements such as vitamin C and lycopene. What does that mean? If you have any dark marks as a result of old blemishes, that combo of esteemed ingredients will help fade their appearance.
Key Ingredients
Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that works to exfoliate the skin. Its molecule is slightly larger than glycolic acid, meaning it works a bit slower and doesn’t penetrate the skin’s outermost layer as easily.2
The bright, citrusy scent evokes lemon Italian ice, which is a refreshing touch. Perhaps best of all, it works in only—get this—30 seconds. It’s pricier, but considering it exfoliates, unclogs, brightens, tones, and promotes cell turnover in less than a minute, we think it’s worth your time and money.
Best for Wrinkles
Lancer Skincare Caviar Lime Acid Peel
What We Like
- Users reported that it made their skin feel smooth
- Reviewers said that it made their skin glow
- Some users said it worked well on their mature skin
What to Consider
- Be sure to start slow and read the directions if you have sensitive skin
Type: Combination, Dry, Mature, Normal, Oily | Key Ingredients: 10% Glycolic Acid, 10% Phytic Acid, Retinol | Size: 1.7 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Consider this high-end acid peel if easing lines and wrinkles is your top skin priority. It contains a 10% concentration of glycolic acid, which earns top anti-aging marks for a few reasons. Not only is it lauded for its exfoliating capabilities, which brightens dull skin, but also for stimulating collagen production,5 the protein responsible for firm, youthful skin. Caviar lime (an Australian fruit) is another good source of other AHAs, and there’s also retinol in the formula for even more wrinkle-fighting benefits. The smooth glow you’ll receive after routinely applying this once or twice a week makes it worthy of its high price tag.
Best for Oily Skin
Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads
What We Like
- Users said the wipes decrease the appearance of acne
- Reviewers said the wipes remove oil from their skin and had a drying effect
- Users expressed delight in quick results from the wipes
What to Consider
- Some users were disappointed in the product’s strong peach scent
Type: Oily, Combination, Normal | Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid Complex | Size: 60 pads | Cruelty-Free: No
If you have oily skin, look no further than these Peter Thomas Roth pads. The kit comes with 60 pads, so you’ll have several days to experience increased dryness, decreased acne, and fresh-looking skin — thanks to the formula’s inclusion of salicylic acid. This exfoliating ingredient cuts through oil and gets to the heart of breakouts, essentially removing them.
Best Body
StackedSkincare TCA Multi-Acid Body Peel
What We Like
- Users reported decreased acne on their skin
- Reviewers said the product reduced the appearance of dark spots
- Users noted that their skin was softer after using
What to Consider
- Some users wish they saw a greater difference
Type: All | Key Ingredients: Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Trichloroacetic Acid, Glycerin, Propanediol, Salicylic Acid, Phytic Acid | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Breaking news: Peels aren’t just meant for your face. To address any trouble spots on the skin below your chin, invest in this body peel. It’s pumped with six different exfoliating acids that dissolve dead skin, soften bumps, and eliminate bacteria that cause acne—all after just one application! It’s also self-neutralizing, so it doesn’t have to be rinsed. This lightweight, fragrance-free formula is effective but still super gentle—you can even use it if you have eczema—so it’s perfect for smoothing out unwanted bumps and spots and knocking out body acne. Simply apply a thin layer wherever it’s needed once or twice weekly, then bask in flawless skin from head to toe. (It’s so good Byrdie even wrote an entire article about how it cleared up bacne.)
Best Tanning
M-61 PowerGlow Peel Gradual Tan
What We Like
- Users reported that it gives their skin a “sun kissed” glow
- Users appreciated how the product exfoliates their skin
- The wipes aren’t as messy as traditional tanning products
What to Consider
- Some users expressed disappointment at the product’s shade
Type: All | Key Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid | Size: 30 treatments | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We love a two-in-one product, especially one that leaves you with a glow reminiscent of spending a week on the beach. These super speedy (60-second!) peel pads are packed with glycolic and salicylic acids that work to exfoliate your skin and dissolve dead cells. Then, the self-tanner kicks in, giving you a subtle, sun-kissed glow. Want more color? Use these pads up to three times a week to build up to the tan you want. Not only are these incredibly easy to use, but the results are pretty impressive, too.
There are a few downsides, though. While they’re technically fragrance-free, that doesn’t mean these pads don’t come with an odor. Also, if you prefer a darker color, you’ll run through these pads quickly, so they aren’t the best value.
Best Overnight
goop Beauty Glycolic Acid Overnight Peel
What We Like
- Users reported seeing a difference in their skin overnight
- Reviewers said it made their skin feel smoother
- One treatment comes with a lot of product that can be applied to other areas
What to Consider
- Be cautious if you have sensitive skin as some users reported developing a rash after using
Type: Normal, Combination, Dry | Key Ingredients: 15% Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Fruit Extracts | Size: 12 treatments | Cruelty-Free: Yes
To make the most of your beauty sleep, simply swipe this pad over your face one night a week. Its potent level of glycolic acid plus fruit extracts gets to work while you rest, so you’ll wake up with smoother, brighter, exfoliated skin. Just wash your face as usual when you wake up. The application barely adds any effort to your bedtime routine, too. However, the brand urges sensitive skin types to skip this treatment.
Best for Travel
Bliss That’s Incredi-Peel Glycolic Resurfacing Pads
What We Like
- Users expressed delight with how much dead skin the product removed
- Users appreciated how easy it is to apply the product and also take it on the go
- Reviewers reported that their skin looked refreshed after using
What to Consider
- Users expressed disappointment in the product’s chemical scent
Type: Combination, Normal | Key Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Vitamin E, Licorice Root Extract | Size: 15 treatments | Cruelty-Free: Yes
When it comes to chemical peels, it doesn’t get easier than these resurfacing pads from Bliss. Simply add these to your bedtime skincare routine two or three nights a week, gently swiping a pad over clean, dry skin. (No need to rinse.) Then, sleep soundly knowing the formula, packed with 10% glycolic acid to attack excess skin cell buildup, will gradually release overnight, leaving your skin ultra soft when your alarm blares. Additional ingredients include vitamin E, an antioxidant to help protect skin from environmental factors, and licorice root extract, another antioxidant that pumps up hydration and soothes irritated skin. You can’t knock the convenience of these individually wrapped pads, which make them ideal for traveling, but if you use them multiple times a week, you’ll likely blow through a box every month or so.
Best for Glowing
Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing AHA + BHA + PHA Facial Exfoliating Mask
What We Like
- Users appreciated how gentle the product was
- Reviewers said it helped their skin glow
- Users said it made their skin feel soft
What to Consider
- Users wished they saw greater results for the price
Type: All | Key Ingredients: Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Bio Agave Acid, Polyglutamic Acid | Size: 1.6 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes
It’s often thought that glowing skin comes from the inside out—but certain products, like this at-home chemical peel from Charlotte Tilbury–can help achieve that dewy look, too. You can use this formula once a week (apply, let it sit for 20 minutes, and wash off) and achieve gorgeous results, including dead skin removal, smaller pores, smooth skin, a natural radiance, and diminished wrinkles.
Best Spa-Like Experience
Shani Darden Triple Acid Exfoliating Signature Peel
What We Like
- Some users said this product was better than a professional, spa-grade chemical peel
- Users said it makes their skin glow
- Reviewers said that it made their skin feel super soft
What to Consider
- Be cautious if you have sensitive skin
Type: Oily, Combination, Normal | Key Ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Lactic and Mandelic Acids, Kaolin and Bentonite Clay | Size: 8 treatments | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you’re looking for a spa-quality experience from the comfort of your couch, you’ll want to consider this at-home chemical peel. There are two steps: making it the perfect self-care night activity or if you want to extend your getting ready process to make it uber luxurious. The peel works to brighten the skin, while the second step (which is a clay mask) helps to clean pores. You’ll look like you just walked out of the spa when, in reality, you were catching up on your reality television programs.
What to Look for in At-Home Chemical Peels
- Type of Peel: Glycolic, salicylic, and TCA are three basic at-home chemical peels. Glycolic peels are mild and ideal for treating acne, hyperpigmentation, and sun damage.3 Salicylic peels are ideal for people with oily, acne-prone skin.4 Finally, TCA peels penetrate the deepest and are effective at treating scarring or pigmentation issues.5
- Side Effects: Consider side effects when you’re shopping for an at-home chemical peel. Some universal side effects of chemical peels include persistent redness, hyperpigmentation, skin discoloration, and scarring.6 This is important to prioritize if you have sensitive skin since different at-home chemical peels have different formulas, and therefore, different potential side effects.
- Timing: At-home chemical peels can be designed to be worn overnight and rinsed the following morning or to be left on your face for as little as 30 seconds. Read the instructions for every at-home chemical peel you’re looking at if the thought of having a peel on your face for hours on end is unappealing (or vice versa).
FAQ
- What are the benefits of at-home chemical peels?At-home chemical peels can be used to reduce signs of aging, treat acne, improve texture, even skin tone, and boost the complexion.7 They function by removing the top layers of facial skin.5 Peels can be found as gel versions, creams, pads, and more.
- Are at-home chemical peels safe for all skin types?They can typically be applied to all skin types.8 However, you should proceed with caution if you’ve been on oral acne medication within six months, have personal or family history of keloids, are pregnant, or are prone to cold sores.5
- How often should you use an at-home chemical peel?This depends on the type and intensity of peel that you decide to use. Refer to the product’s packaging or the retailer’s website to determine how often you can use a peel to avoid damaging your skin.