The Best At-Home Chemical Peels, Tested By Beauty Editors And Dermatologists

Skip the hassle of making an appointment for an in-office treatment with this powerful two-step treatment. Start with step one, which uses 5 AHA/BHAs to exfoliate, immediately giving you that post-facial glow while targeting large pores and evening out your texture. Step two neutralizes the acids, hydrating your skin with a healthy dose of anti-aging actives for smooth, balanced skin. These iconic peels are a more tame version of the chemical peels that dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross performs in his practice, and are a great entry point into the world of at-home chemical peels because they are gentle, yet effective. They’re so popular that one is sold every two seconds!

"I recommend it for someone looking for a simple and comprehensive at home system to target the signs of aging," says Dr. Shirazi. "I suggest combining it with a gentle cleanser before and a nourishing moisturizer after application."

Testing Notes: We’ve been using these peels for years and can attest that they’re still at the top of our list of favorites. The two-step system really works to rejuvenate and retexture our skin without leaving us with red, irritated skin. It takes less than five minutes to complete both steps, and the results are immediate. Travel can be particularly stressful for our skin, which is why we love taking a few pads with us when we’re on the go. The best thing about these peels from Dr. Dennis Gross is that they come in varying strengths, so if you have sensitive skin, check out the Alpha Beta® Ultra Gentle Daily Peel. If your skin can handle the Universal Daily Peel and you want something a bit more powerful, try the Alpha Beta® Extra Strength Daily Peel.

If you’re on a budget and in-office treatments are out of the question, this exfoliating peel from The Ordinary can deliver impressive results, but only if it’s used correctly. This peel actually comes with a warning from The Ordinary, which advises that it’s only suitable for experienced users of acid exfoliation. The key is to apply it in a very thin layer and only leave it on for 10 minutes or less. Some reviewers say that seven minutes is enough to drastically improve their skin texture and tone. If you know your way around exfoliating acids and what your skin can and cannot handle, this peel leaves your skin looking absolutely radiant at an affordable price.

"It is powerful so you have to proceed with caution and follow the instructions very carefully," says Dr. Shirazi. "It’s best to avoid your retinol five days before this peel and stop any actives for two weeks while your skin is recovering."

Aesthetics expert and founder of Line Eraser MD, Carol Eisenstat, MD, adds that you can also perform a patch test before using this product to make sure your skin likes it. "If you're new to chemical peels or have sensitive skin, consider starting with a lower concentration product and gradually working your way up," she says.

Testing Notes: This product has gone viral on TikTok, with testers divided on whether it’s the best thing they’ve ever used or the worst. Ultimately, the answer will vary from person to person based on skin type and how well they follow the instructions. We found that this potent peel can be very gentle or extremely powerful, depending on how long we left it on. The sweet spot was between 5-7 minutes, which is enough time to let the peel do its magic but not too long to where it caused inflammation. Some reviewers say their skin experienced a purge, which is where any acne or blemishes that you have sitting underneath the surface of your skin rise to the top in the days following the peel, but this wasn’t something we personally experienced. While we can’t recommend this peel for beginners or people with very sensitive skin, it is an extremely effective peel for the price, as long as you proceed with caution.

This overnight exfoliating treatment works while you sleep to refine dull, uneven skin. It contains a powerful concentration of glycolic acid (15%), which works its way deep into your skin, gently removing the surface layers of dead skin cells to reveal the brighter, softer skin that’s hiding underneath. While most chemical peels contain a pungent scent, we found that this one was quite pleasant, and the two-sided pads feature a pocket for your hands for easy application.

If you struggle with anything from fine lines to hyperpigmentation to acne scars, Dr. Eisenstat says that this product may improve skin tone and texture. To use it, she recommends cleansing your face and applying the product to your skin, avoiding the eye area. "Leave it on overnight and rinse it off in the morning with water. Follow up with your regular skincare routine, including sunscreen in the morning."

Testing Notes: At nearly $20 per pad, these are on the expensive side, but you do get what you pay for, and it’s still much less expensive than a chemical peel you would receive from your dermatologist or esthetician. The peels are some of the strongest we’ve tried, which is why we wouldn’t recommend it if you’re an at-home chemical peel first-timer. However, for those who want a maximum-strength peel, these pads don’t disappoint. We found that the glow was noticeable for up to a whole week after using it, which is similar to the results you would get from a professional treatment. To get the most bang for your buck, we recommend tossing the pad after using it but keeping the pouch it comes in, which should contain plenty of additional solution. When you’re ready for another treatment, take a fresh cotton pad and pour what’s left of the solution on top for a bonus treatment.

This triple acid makes you look like you just went to the dermatologist for a professional peel. The combination of lactic acid, glycolic acid, and mandelic acid tingles a bit as it instantly dissolves dead skin cells and smoothes the surface of your skin, leaving a glass-like finish. The second step is a kaolin mask, which neutralizes the acid and draws out any excess dirt and oil without over-drying your skin. The brush that comes with the set is ultra-luxe and elevates the entire experience into a spa-like treatment (with a spicy kick).

Testing Notes: We really felt this peel—in a good way. It definitely has a slightly tingly sensation, particularly when you neutralize it with the kaolin clay neutralizing mask, but it doesn’t burn or leave our skin feeling sensitive to the touch post-peel. We saw visible results after our first use, but with regular use, we found that it actually changed the texture of our skin for the better. We love to reach for this peel before any big events because it leaves our skin feeling fresh and beautiful with zero irritation, redness, or peeling afterward.

When it comes to at-home chemical peels, you would be hard-pressed to find anything stronger than the Ourself Brightening Peel. It boasts an impressive 34% glycolic acid, which continues to improve the appearance of your skin tone and texture in the days after using the treatment. To amp up the benefits even more, it’s paired with tranexamic acid to target uneven pigmentation and vitamin C to boost brightness. Because it’s so potent, Ourself recommends a 14-day protocol to help prime the skin for the treatment and detailed instructions for applying the peel, as well as post-peel skincare suggestions. If you can commit to following the instructions carefully, you will be handsomely rewarded with soft, glowing skin that only looks better as the days go on. By day 10, your skin will feel baby soft and look absolutely radiant.

"I recommend this only 1-2 times monthly and be sure to avoid your retinol or other exfoliants the day of treatment," says Dr. Shirazi. "Using this periodically will also allow your other skincare products to absorb better."

Many of the most effective chemical peels are too strong for sensitive skin, with the exception of this gentle peel from Alpyn Beauty. It was formulated with sensitive skin in mind using a combination of eight acids, chamomile and colloidal oatmeal. The acids chemically exfoliate the surface of your skin without any buffing or rubbing, while the soothing chamomile and colloidal oatmeal immediately soothe any redness that the acids might’ve caused. It doesn’t irritate your skin in the slightest and instead leaves you with a visibly brighter and more balanced complexion after just five minutes.

Testing Notes: We struggled with finding a peel that was gentle enough to use regularly on our sensitive skin until we finally tested this one. It effectively removed that rough top of our layer of our skin without any irritation, leaving it feeling super soft and smooth. The silky texture actually feels soothing and nourishing, unlike other at-home chemical peels, which can tingle. We love that it’s gentle enough to use every day (seriously!) and softens the texture of our skin over time. Our favorite way to use this peel is right before doing our makeup because it creates a smooth canvas for the makeup to glide over and gives your skin a healthy, natural glow.

Can’t get an appointment to see your regular facialist? This two-part peel is the next best thing. The first step features a blend of active botanical acids and extracts (namely malic and salicylic acid) that gently resurface the skin, polishing it to a glowy finish. The second step neutralizes the acids while also hydrating the skin with ​​soothing botanicals and copper tripeptide-1, which has been proven to visibly reduce wrinkles over time. Designed to be used every other day, we love using this peel in between facials to help maintain professional results.

After using just one of these peel pads from BeautyStat, you might look in the mirror and think you’re looking at a filter. The secret is the triple acid blend, which contains lactic acid, time-released salicylic acid, and glucosamine to smooth out your skin texture, shrink your pores, and reveal immediately brighter skin after a single use. The entire treatment is one step, so you don’t have to worry about timing the neutralizer or rinsing off the solution. Not only is it easy to use, but it also feels refreshing on the skin and barely tingles. If you have a dull, uneven complexion, these pads are a no-brainer addition to your regular skincare routine.