What Exactly *Is* an At Home Chemical Peel, And Which One Is Right for Me?

This cult peel has been a favorite amongst dermatologists, estheticians and beauty editors alike. (And fun fact: It’s celebrating a milestone anniversary of 20 years!) The peels were created by a top New York derm and were one of the first at-home options available to the masses. Dendy likes them because they "contain both alpha and beta hydroxyl acids like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, malic acid, which is a great combination to tackle a variety of skin issues including blocked pores, dull skin and hyperpigmentation." We like how easy they are to use. Just swipe the first pad over skin, wait two minutes and follow up with the second pad to finish.

For the easily irritated, these gentle pads by Indie Lee are a safe bet. Made with natural beta and alpha hydroxy acids (from wintergreen and Australian caviar lime, respectively) and balanced with jasmine and burdock root extracts, you’ll get the skin clarifying benefits of exfoliating without any afterburn or redness.

For any face mask lovers out there, consider this as your weekly treatment. Dendy likes that it "combines powerful botanical enzymes with salicylic acid and eco-friendly microbeads to provide an ideal combination of physical and chemical exfoliation." Just smooth it over damp, clean skin in a thin, even layer and let sit for five minutes before rinsing off using small, circular motions.

Another option that combines both physical and chemical exfoliation, these wine-soaked pads by Neogen Dermalogy are a cult favorite within the K-beauty community. Each wipe is made with a lattice-woven gauze that gently scrubs away surface debris, while the blend of lactic and glycolic acids tackle anything that’s left behind. (You’ll want to rinse this off after a few minutes because it has a slightly sticky residue.)

Inspired by the chemical peels Gwyneth used to get at her derm’s office, this weekly treatment is packed with an impressive 15 percent glycolic acid (making it one of the most potent at-home peels we’ve ever tried). To use, slip your fingertips inside the glove and swipe the soft side over the delicate skin of your face and the textured side over your neck, chest and shoulders. Note: You will likely feel a tingling sensation at first, but you will also wake up with a noticeable glow.

Let’s be clear: The "baby" in "babyfacial" is referring to how soft and silken this peel makes your skin feel after using it. It has nothing to do with its strength—which is pretty darn potent with a whopping 25 percent blend of AHAs. (That’s glycolic, tartatic, lactic and citric acids, by the way.) Drunk Elephant's Babyfacial also features two percent BHA to keep pores clear and pumpkin ferment extract to really get the job done. As a result, the glow is real, y’all (but don’t use it more than once a week).

For those of us with stubborn blackheads and breakouts, these peach-scented pads are a godsend. Formulated with both salicylic and glycolic acids, they work double duty to clear pores of excess oil while dissolving any dead skin cells that sit on and beneath the surface. Within a few weeks of use, we’ve noticed that our normally speckled noses are much clearer.

Gentle on your wallet—and your skin. With a blend of lactic and glycolic acid (plus vitamins A and E), this overnight treatment sloughs off dead skin cells while you sleep. Allantoin and rosehip add a buffer, so your skin doesn’t get dry or irritated. Oh, and this budget brand is also clean, vegan, cruelty-free and nothing in the line (including this peel) costs over 20 dollars.

What do Demi Lovato, Lili Reinhart and this beauty editor have in common? A love for this delicious mask from celebrity aesthetician Renée Rouleau. Jam packed with four different acids, bromelain (an exfoliating enzyme derived from pineapple), blueberry, raspberry seed oil and strawberry, it also looks and smells like a berry jam. We use it as a weekly preventative measure against future breakouts (and a brighter visage).

For a gradual glow, Dendy recommends this 4-week treatment, which combines PHA, AHA, and idebenone (a supercharged antioxidant) to exfoliate the skin, soften fine lines, and improve the overall radiance and evenness of your skin tone.