Face Appeal: Home Facial Peels that Keep You in the Clear

Home peels that treat dull, blemish-prone and damaged skin.

Jan 29, 2010

by Carolyn Anger

We cleanse, tone and dutifully exfoliate. But when blemishes and pesky imperfections get the best of us, it's time for a peel. Milder than a professional service, at-home peels act as quick pick-me-ups between spa visits and come with zero downtime. Here's the Spa Girls picks for face-saving peels that brighten, tone and keep you in the clear.

Lighten Up

Philosophy The Microdelivery Peel, $40-$65 at philosophy.com. For Red Carpet-worthy skin without leaving the house, this resurfacer is packed with collagen-boosting vitamin C and smoothing lactic acid. The peel works by massaging on a granular scrub followed by an activator. While soaking into skin, the solution has a slight warming tingle and contains salicylic acid to clarify and polish.

Bliss Peeling Groovy Facial Serum, $65 at blissworld.com. For those on the sensitive side, embrace Amino Acid Exfoliators. With serious fading power and zero irritation, the gentle resurfaces minimize age, acne and blemish spots. Apply a thin layer of the leave-on serum to face, neck and hands, then wait 3-5 minutes before slathering on your daily moisturizer. As an added bonus, the serum gives skin an overall glow by minimizing pores and locks in extra moisture.

Erno Lazlo C-Peel, $75 at ernolaszlo.com. Rivaling the brightening power of Philosophy, this two-step peel reveals soft, healthy skin in one minute flat. Powered by a mix of antioxidants and repairing oils, the peel gently banishes dryness and stimulates collagen. Skin feels smooth and noticeably brighter after just one treatment.

Banish Bumps

Olay Regenerist Microdermabrasion and Peel System, $27, olay.com. A scrub and peel duo that gently resurfaces skin for improved skin tone and texture. An Amino-Peptide and vitamin B complex work to soften and diminish lines with this two-step system.

REN Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask, $55, sephora.com. A natural option that retexturizes with heavy hitters like lactic, glycolic, tartaric and citric acids. Ideal for stubborn spots and scarring, the thick cream sits on face and neck for about 10 minutes. After rinsed, skin feels deeply cleansed and spots begin to vanish within a few uses.

Cosmedix Pure Enzymes Exfoliating Mask, $50, cosmedix.com. For oil slicks and problem-prone skin, a fusion of cranberry and lactic acid gently peel away impurities. Smooth the fruity mask on clean skin and leave on up to 15 minutes depending on skin sensitivity. As ingredients decongest and exfoliate mild tingling may be experienced but quickly subsides after mask is rinsed. For best results, use one to four times per week.

Diminish Damage

Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Tone Correcting Peel, $16.79 at drugstore.com. A savvy-priced favorite that fades dark spots and improves tone. Uses a unique enzyme called Celluzyme that may cause slight redness but is gentle enough to cover up with a thin layer bi-weekly. The result? Deeply exfoliated, retexurized skin with regular use.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength, $45, juicebeauty.com. Packed full of skin-plumping nutrients, this vitamin-rich peel stimulates rejuvenation and protects delicate skin from the aging process. A mix of bionutrients energizes cells for healthy turnover and algae extract hydrates and firms. On the stronger side, mild tingling may occur and product increases sun sensitivity so be sure to stay protected with SPF.

June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Enzyme Mask, $78, junejacobs.com. Wake up tired skin with a dose of pumpkin! Full of vitamins and minerals, this pumpkin polisher buffs away dull surface cells and jumpstarts cell turnover. A blend tea extracts, goji berry, pomegranate and grape seed also fight free radicals and stave off premature aging. Apply to squeaky clean skin for three to ten minutes twice weekly.

Tips

• If you're prone to product sensitivity, test products on inconspicuous place like inside of your arm first.
• Always wear sunscreen when using a home peel because skin may become more sensitive to sun.
• When you're ready for a deeper peel, get thee to a skincare professional!

Peel Places

• Scosh Makeup & Skincare Studio, Scottsdale: Peel series are $165. Includes three unique visits for a microdermabrasion peel, chemical peel and fruit enzyme polishing peel.
• Spa tacular Sleekskin, Scottsdale: Peels are $125. Irritation-free gel formulas for dry, oily, acne-prone and sensitive skin.
• Mozaik Skin & Body Studio, Scottsdale: Peels start at $85 and include a consultation. Progressive series, mid depth and hand and arm body peels available.
• Zethina Cosmetics & Skin Care, Glendale Peels are $95. Three levels of strength for all skin types.
• Spatini Skin and Nail Spa, Scottsdale: Peels start at $75. Custom to skin type and sensitivity, peels range from light to medium.