The 11 Best Chemical Peels You Can Do at Home

Updated on 11/13/2023 at 6:10 PM

Courtesy of Shani Darden Skincare

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Exfoliation is the key to smooth, glowing skin. As much as we love a good physical facial scrub, nothing does it quite like a classic chemical peel. But if the idea of chemical exfoliation scares you — for some people, even hearing the phrase evokes horrendous mental images — know there are varying degrees. Some chemical peels are in-office-only treatments, and they tend to be a bit more aggressive. Chemical peels at home, on the other hand, usually lean a bit gentler, allowing you to get some of the same benefits without half of the side effects.

Make no mistake: even at-home treatments can pack a punch, and you should still exercise caution when using them — especially if your skin type is dry or sensitive. But if your skin can take a little heat, you'll find that oftentimes, the benefits of chemical exfoliation outweigh the slight discomfort they might cause while they're working their magic.

The best at-home chemical peels can target a myriad of skin-care concerns, from dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure to congestion and breakouts in your T-zone and just an overall dullness of skin tone. If your complexion is looking a little lackluster, doing a peel may be all you need to reset and renew your skin. How often you're able to use it depends on the formulation and the skin-care ingredients included (as well as if you can take a little tingly sensation), but it varies from once a week to once a month for more powerful varieties.

To help you find the right match for your skin, we rounded up the best chemical peels ahead. Keep scrolling to unlock your most radiant skin yet.

Best Budget-Friendly Chemical Peel

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution ($10)

You've likely spotted this bright red serum-like peel on TikTok. It proves you don't need to shell out a ton of money to get a good at-home chemical peel. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Peeling Solution costs only $10, but it works wonders. It's great for dull skin, uneven texture, and acne.

Best Chemical Peel Overall

Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads ($92)

When you think of at-home chemical peels, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare's Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel Pads probably come to mind first. This two-step, individually packaged treatment is the gold standard and contains a blend of AHAs and BHAs. Labeled clearly, you simply swipe step one onto your skin, followed by step two, unlocking clear, radiant skin.

Best Chemical Peel For Hyperpigmentation

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask ($80)

The Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask is great for hyperpigmentation and dullness, working for all skin types. It's a lightweight cream that contains 25 percent AHAs and two percent BHA by way of salicylic acid. There's also chickpea flour in there to balance skin.

Best Chemical Peel For Wrinkles

Lancer Skincare Caviar Lime Acid Peel ($97)

The Lancer Skincare Caviar Lime Acid Peel is spicy in the best way. It contains a powerful blend of 10 percent glycolic acid, 10 percent phytic acid, and retinol to improve everything from uneven texture and dullness to fine lines and wrinkles. It works in just 10 to 15 minutes and is gentle enough to be used once a week as long as your skin can tolerate it.

Best Chemical Peel For Dullness

Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel ($125)

Developed by celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden, this Triple Acid Signature Peel brings the spa to you. The two-step treatment includes a peel with glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acid to melt away congestion and dead skin cells, and a neutralizing mask made from two forms of clay to clear pores.

Shani Darden Skin Care Triple Acid Signature Peel

From

$125

Best Glycolic Acid Peel

Bliss That's Incredi-Peel Spa-Strength Glycolic Resurfacing Pads ($25)

The star ingredient in the Bliss That's Incredi-Peel Spa-Strength Glycolic Resurfacing Pads is glycolic acid in a 10 percent dosage, but that's not all. The individually packaged pads also contain vitamin E to soothe, licorice root for antioxidants, calendula flower extract and witch hazel to calm, and glycerin for hydration. They can be used once a week for brighter skin.

Strongest At-Home Chemical Peel

Ourself Brightening Peel Kit ($110)

The Ourself Brightening Peel Kit means business. It's designed to be used about once a month and is ultra strong, but ultra effective. It targets hyperpigmentation, pores, and uneven skin tone with a concentrated dose of 34 percent glycolic acid.

Best Chemical Peel For Pores

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel ($44)

Pores, fine lines, and texture are no match for Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel. The rinse-off formula contains a blend of AHAs (glycolic, lactic, mandelic, tartaric, and malic acids) and BHA (salicylic acid), but the addition of butterfly pea flower helps with redness and irritation.

Best Fast-Acting Chemical Peel

La Prairie Cellular 3-Minute Peel ($285)

All you need is a few minutes once a week to use the La Prairie Cellular 3-Minute Peel and experience its brightening, skin-smoothing benefits. It's pricy, but the silky texture of this peel is the next best thing to going to the spa. It contains AHAs, BHAs, salicylic acid, and fruit acids.

Best Chemical Peel For Acne

Perricone MD No Rinse Exfoliating Peel ($45)

The Perricone MD No Rinse Exfoliating Peel is an oil-free formulation that's great for fighting acne and congestion in the skin. It brightens hyperpigmentation and acne marks while helping clear pores to prevent future breakouts. To balance it out, though, it also has hyaluronic acid for hydration and to plump.

Best Overnight Chemical

Alpha-H Beauty Sleep Power Peel Age-Defying Night Peel ($106)

Don't have time to do a mask? Opt for the Alpha-H Beauty Sleep Power Peel Age-Defying Night Peel, which works its magic overnight while you get some beauty sleep. It contains 14 percent glycolic acid to brighten, 0.5 percent retinol to help with wrinkles, and shea butter for hydration.