I’ll admit, it took me years to invest in the care my skin deserves. Well into my teens and early adulthood, I couldn’t be bothered with multi-step routines or a sink full of products—just cleanser and moisturizer for me. (I now shudder at my previous avoidance of SPF.) But I’m in my late 20s now and can no longer ignore the dullness in my complexion, my stubborn hyperpigmentation or my skin’s lack of hydration. Which is why I decided to get a chemical peel at a Massage Envy® franchised location in Metuchen, NJ, where I left my esthetician’s table with an unmatched glow. And thanks to my post-peel routine full of PCA SKIN® products, I was able to keep that professional-level glow intact well over a week later.
beauty
Sponsored by Massage Envy
I Tried a Chemical Peel at Massage Envy. These 4 Skincare Products Helped Extend My Glow
I’m adding them to my everyday routine
•
Published Oct 7, 2026
Courtney Mason/PCA SKIN®
The Chemical Peel Treatment and Aftercare
While the initial treatment is a quick and painless 20-minute procedure, the aftercare routine can last for up to 10 days depending on your peel type. Since I was a first-timer, my esthetician decided the simplest of the peels would be best on my skin, and noted there’s a chance my skin would or would not peel. I wish I could say it was the latter. In the next few days post-treatment, my skin looked a little reptilian, and I started to notice flakes of skin lifting, making way for what my esty referred to as a “new layer of skin.”
With flakiness comes dryness, and my take-home care regimen of PCA SKIN®'s Post-Procedure Kit, Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask and Hyaluronic Acid Lip Mask saw me through all of it, ensuring my skin was thoroughly hydrated and protected from the sun—which are non-negotiables after a chemical peel. Here’s my honest review of each product, where I detail how well they performed and kept my skin glowing days after the treatment.
Original Image by Courtney Mason
Post-Procedure Kit
The post-procedure kit consists of five products: a facial wash, a 1% hydrocortisone cream, a broad-spectrum SPF 30, a Collagen Hydrator and a ReBalance moisturizer. The cleanser, designed for normal to combination skin types like mine, was incredibly gentle and foamed up to a creamy lather that didn't strip my skin. The real stars of the kit were the four hydrators that kept my skin dewy and moisturized throughout the required five to seven days of use. After cleansing, the CliniCalm 1% (cortisone) and ReBalance creams were soothing balms to my peeling skin's itchiness. For UVA/UVB protection, I followed up with the Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30, which impressively didn't leave a white cast on my dark complexion. Instead, it left a light layer of sheen. I saved the Collagen Hydrator for nighttime application, giving my skin's barrier extra moisture before bedtime.
PCA SKIN®
Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum
My esthetician also used the Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum during my skin's prep prior to applying the chemical peel. And with this serum, a little goes a long way. To cover my face and neck, she used two to three pumps of product, with the result being plumper, more radiant-looking skin. It's one of my favorite products to use post-peel, particularly when some of the patches around my face started to feel extra dry (or if I was tempted to pick a skin fleck or two). With hyaluronic acid as its main ingredient, my peel provider couldn't stress the importance of using this product enough, especially while my skin is damp. Why? Hyaluronic acid is a hygroscopic (water-attracting) ingredient, meaning it'll help retain and further deepen the moisture already on the skin. The serum alone provides enough glow, but the following product helps lock it in.
Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask
While this hydration-boosting mask is pegged to nighttime usage, my esthetician assured me it's safe to use any time during the day. In fact, she encouraged me to. This is where the glow restoration comes in. The Hyaluronic Acid Overnight Mask, like the serum, touts HA as its main ingredient, but with the addition of niacinamide and panthenol, it's meant to increase the skin's hydration and visibly restore radiance. The mask is the second-to-last step in my post-peel routine, and every time I use it, I feel like I just left an appointment with my Massage Envy® franchised location. The afterglow is prominent, and my skin barely looks like it's flaking after applying it. (Side note: I also appreciate the push-pump top that dispenses an even amount of product each use, rather than having to stick my finger in a jar to swipe up product.)
Hyaluronic Acid Lip Mask
If there's one PCA SKIN® product my esthetician couldn't recommend enough, it's the Hyaluronic Acid Lip Mask. As I type this, my lips are fully moisturized after over two hours of wear. It's a slicker formula, leaning more towards a balmy ointment than a sticky lip gloss, but still offers lots of shine. My esthetician even advised I restock ahead of winter, when chapped lips aren't a possibility but a promise. Trust, I'll be adding to cart the second I hit empty.
