These natural skin peels are super effective when it comes to rejuvenating your skin!
By Diane Small
For many, the idea of a skin peel evokes images of layers of skin rolling off your face like so much old wallpaper, or a raw, angry red face for days. And that can indeed happen, depending on the potency of the formula. But if you’re after a gentler, more natural peel, there are loads of options – and they can do so much good for your face!
Like what, you may ask? Well for starters, they’ll get rid of dullness and congestion that simple face washing can’t erase. Secondly, over time, they can break up pigmentation spots, shrink pores, restore pH balance to the skin, and allow it to better absorb moisturizers and other products. Acid peels also boost collagen levels and thicken skin. Finally, if used regularly, they can soften fine lines and wrinkles.
This is all 100% proved by science. One study demonstrated that topical treatment twice a day for 3 months with 5% glycolic acid cream at pH 2.8 affected both surface skin and deeper epidermal changes, for example.
The same treatment, but with a 12% potency cream reached deeper and influenced both the epidermis and the even deeper dermis layer, and resulted in increased epidermal and dermal firmness and thickness. Both showed clinical improvement in skin smoothness and in the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Yet another study showed that AHAs might thin the outer stratum corneum, but actually end up increasing the overall thickness of the epidermis. This thickening is accompanied by increased synthesis of collagen. It’s pretty clear that natural skin peels may do more than just increase exfoliation and skin cell turnover.
What to choose
All kinds of natural ingredients found in organic skin peels can provide a powerful peeling effect, which burns off dead cells on the surface of the face to reveal brighter skin beneath.
I spoke to Dr Gabriela Mercik, a London based aesthetic medicine practitioner, to get the lowdown on which ingredients to look out for. Here’s what I learned:
Lactic acid is one of the gentlest peeling ingredients. Based on milk byproducts, it works really well on oily or combination skin.
Glycolic acid is a sugar cane based product that’s a popular choice for smoothing out wrinkles and comes in different strengths. Go for something under 10% at home – this will tingle a bit and leave a slight redness for around 24 hours, but nothing more. The higher up you go in terms of percentage, the harsher the peel is.
Salicylic acid is a serious peel that cleanses deeply, eradicating the dirt and bacteria that cause acne.
Alpha hydroxy acid is the umbrella term for all of the above; basically for any acid that comes from several possible food sources, including sugarcane and milk.
Enzyme peels offer a more gentle solution that can be incorporated into a regular skincare regimen.
“No matter which ingredients you prefer, all of these treatments can speed up natural chemical reactions in the skin that renew skin cells while exfoliating dead cells, diminishing scars, age spots, fine lines, and discolouration,” says Dr Gabriela. “The most amazing thing about enzyme peels is that they don’t damage or remove live tissue – they remove ONLY dead cells, so they’re perfect for frequent use.”
Want to know a bit more about what peels feel like and what they can do for you? Check out the list below of products I’ve personally tried and tested!
Why not also see what happened when Vlogger Nikki Philippi went to a dermatologist for a clinical Jessner peel:
Some Natural Skin Peels To Try At Home
When you’re essentially burning off a layer of skin, you really, really don’t want to have nasty chemicals in a product that are just going to enter your bloodstream deeper and faster, right? So ensure you only choose the most natural of peeling products, like these below. We’ve tried and tested each one!
Suzanne Kauffman Enzyme Peel
This fruit based enzyme peel comes in gel form and sloughs away dead skin without irritating the epidermis too much. It’s a great product to use before a mask, as it will allow the ingredients to penetrate more deeply. This one is great for sensitive skin, and can be used weekly. When I tried this, I barely felt a thing, but my skin did look fresher right away.
Ouch factor: Zero Strength: Mild
Caudalie Peeling Mask
French brand Caudalie’s glycolic acid mask is a quick radiance-boosting solution for all skin types that are looking tired, dull and dry. It contains papaya enzymes to eliminate dead skin cells and the antioxidant viniferine to help reduce dark spots and pigmentation. This boasts 85.7% natural origin ingredients and is free from parabens, mineral oils and phthalates. It’s very gentle, smells lovely, and can be used weekly.
Ouch factor: Zero Strength: Mild. This is one of the gentlest natural skin peels I’ve tried.
Philosophy Triple Acid Peel Pads
This is an at-home natural skin peeling product that is super easy to use, as the peeling pads are individually-wrapped and pre-saturated. Their anti-ageing and skin-brightening properties come through an advanced triple-acid formula that promises to minimise pores, fine lines and dark spots on the skin.
Use these pads once a week at home – sweep them over the face and neck, and follow up with a moisturiser. Within four to six weeks, depending on how damaged your skin is, you should start to see noticeable improvements in your complexion.
Ouch factor: 2 Strength: Mild to Medium – leave on longer for more strength
InstaNatural Glycolic Peel
This is a strong exfoliation treatment infused with powerful ingredients designed to visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration, and pores while also providing nourishment to the skin. Glycolic Acid, Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid work together to reveal healthier skin immediately. This is fairly potent, depending on how long you leave it on. It can also be used on decolletage and acne. In fact, it’s great for oily skin, and can be used bimonthly. Try using it at night, as it will leave you a bit red for a few hours.
Ouch factor: 4 Strength: Mild to Medium
Skin Beauty Solutions Glycolic Peel
This is a hardcore, 70% strength, professional grade glycolic skin peel that stimulates collagen production, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. Increased cell regeneration exposes younger skin underneath. The longer you leave it on, the stronger it is.
But be warned: to get those benefits pretty quickly, you could experience redness and some skin peeling for around 5-7 days. Use only according to the directions given. This burned a bit going on, and I had a bit of redness and some serious flakiness between my eyebrows, under my lower lip and beside my nose for about a week.
Ouch factor: 7 Strength: Medium to Strong
Holy Grail AHA Skin Tonic
Think that AHA products need to be painful to get real results? Nope! Holy Grail’s new Naturally Radiant AHA Skin Tonic is a hydrating acid toner that helps to exfoliate the surface of the skin, bringing you an everyday glow – minus the irritated red skin! And with the tonic made from 70% organic bases, there is no need to choose between natural or effective skincare.
Infused with botanical extracts, this gentle 5% glycolic acid solution will work to lighten dark spots, refine pores and improve the overall appearance of the skin, revealing a finer, softer, healthier appearance. This tonic is gentle enough for daily use, and won’t irritate the skin.
Ouch factor: Zero Strength: Gentle – perfect for all skin types.
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