Confused by what facial peels are? Do they dry on your skin like a thin layer of glue that you pull off your face? No, those are peel-off masks. Do they make your skin actually flake and peel off? Sometimes, depending on the strength of the peel. Facial peels often have no visible peeling effect at all, which is why we’re here to unpuzzle your puzzlement with this ultimate guide. Here’s everything you need to know about facial peels.

Peels are simply a form of chemical exfoliation. They remove dead skin cells, mainly through the use of acids that loosen the bond between the cells, and dissolve debris away. Unlike physical exfoliants (like scrubs and microdermabrasion), peel ingredients sink into the skin, targeting deeper layers than a physical exfoliant can reach. Despite this, a peel is often considered more gentle than a scrub. For those with a sensitive skin type who still want to smooth and refresh their complexion, a light peel is a fantastic option that won’t aggravate their complexion.

Acids are the main active ingredient in a facial peel. For natural peels like our VitaSkin™ Exfoliating Peels, we use Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) sourced from fruit and plants.

AHAs are typically more mild and include glycolic, lactic and mandelic acids. A great choice for dry or sensitive skin types, AHAs exfoliate the skin surface while improving hydration levels, leaving the skin baby-soft and glowing.

BHAs are typically stronger than AHAs and sink deeper into the skin to exfoliate and clean out pore walls. BHAs, like salicylic acid, are a best friend to oily or problem skin types as they fight current breakouts, prevent future breakouts and are non-irritating.

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