This is the season where your summer glow is made, and as a practicing esthetician for almost 19 years, this time of year for us is called peel season. The fall/winter season is the optimal time we recommend clients start their corrective treatments, such as chemical peels, as the UV exposure is lower, complications are less likely, and your skin has time to regenerate and rejuvenate over the next few months.
Whether opting for a superficial peel like a lactic or glycolic acid, a medium-depth peel such as Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA), or deep treatment such as phenol, a chemical peel can address many skin concerns. These can range from pigment and texture issues, acne, to severe sun damage, more extensive wrinkles, and lesions. Obtaining optimal results with a chemical peel not only depends on the performance itself, but also on how the skin is cared for thereafter.
Understanding Post-Peel Recovery
When you get a peel, whether it’s a light enzymatic exfoliation or a more in-depth resurfacing treatment, your skin enters a healing stage. The outermost layer of skin (epidermis) has been exfoliated, revealing newer, more sensitive layers underneath. This is why proper aftercare is vital to ensure your skin goes through the healing process effectively. Suitable post-peel skincare not only enhances your results, but it also prevents irritation, reduces inflammation, supports healing and proper collagen production while ensuring long-term skin health and balance.
Top-Ranked Skincare Products For Post-Peel Recovery
Cleansers
“A gentle cleanser is recommended for chemical peel aftercare, which has no medications in it, and that is non-abrasive,” says Dr. Dina Strachan, Board-certified Dermatologist in NYC and owner of Aglow Dermatology. This ensures skin is being cleansed without compromising the skin barrier.
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
The Gentle Skin Cleanser by Cetaphil is a great option as ” it’s gentle, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores),” Dr. Strachan adds. It also helps restore the skin’s protective barrier, locks in moisture, and soothes irritation.Available at walgreens.com
A personal favorite of mine to use after I perform a peel on my skin is the Manuka Cleanser by Aunu. Manuka honey is a powerhouse ingredient as it has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties that promote faster healing, reduce redness, and irritation. Their “safe for all” claim lives up to the hype as the medical-grade manuka works with your skin and was designed to support the skin barrier during the healing process.Available at aunubeauty.com
Hydration and calm are the name of the game. Look for soothing ingredients like aloe vera, rose water, or centella asiattica. This helps refresh the skin without irritation and packs the skin with nutrients without manipulation.
IN GROOV IRIE Sea Mineral Essence
IRIE Sea Mineral Essence by IN GROOV contains aloe, centella asiatica, and kakadu plum that pack the skin with calming nutrients, soothe irritation, and reduce redness within the first few minutes of application. It also doubles as a lightweight serum, so you get more use without overloading skin with too many products.Available at ingroov.com
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Pillow Pads
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Pillow Pads With Colloidal Oatmeal + Ceramides is a wonderful padded toner designed for daily hydrating to boost hydration, soothe dry, irritated, and visibly red skin, and support the skin barrier. Perfect for post-peel repair, catered to dry, sensitive, or reactive skin.Available at firstaidbeauty.com
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30
“I recommend Aveeno Positively Radiant Sheer Daily Moisturizing Lotion as it contains SPF 30 broad-spectrum and is especially good at not creating a filmy appearance on darker skin,” says Dr. Strachan.Available at ulta.com
Dermalogica’s Stabilizing Repair Cream Moisturizer with Squalane and Cica is an amazing moisturizer post-peel. Its ultra-soothing actives calm on contact – helping to break the pattern of sensitive skin as they immediately comfort and help skin become more resilient over time.Available at sephora.com
A technologically advanced post-biotic restorative skin barrier cream clinically proven to accelerate the recovery process by 4X and maintain an optimal healing environment.Available at ulta.com
The best sunscreen for all skin types. It’s created for acne-prone skin, hyperpigmentation, and rosacea, and it actually goes on clear. I’ve been using this brand for years, and it never leaves a white film.Available at dermstore.com
It contains mineral filters that can reduce inflammation and repel acne-causing bacteria, making them ideal for problematic, oily, and sensitive skin.Available at drdennisgross.com
Cicaplast Balm B5 UV is a soothing, therapeutic multi-purpose cream with broad spectrum SPF 50. It relieves and hydrates dry, cracked skin while helping protect skin exposed to environmental stressors.Available at laroche-posay.us
