The Best At-Home Chemical Peels, Tested by Beauty Scientists (2024)

The winner of the GH beauty Lab's face peel test, professional spa line Dermalogica's lactic acid peel earned the highest marks in almost every area: It was top in Lab assessment at diminishing hyperpigmentation spots, and 100% of users said it was best at evening skin tone, smoothing, brightening and reducing lines. GH Beauty Lab before-and-after digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer device showed it lessened breakout-inducing bacteria by 20% and refined skin texture by 5% after two weeks.

Every tester said they would use the product again. "My skin immediately felt so smooth and looked even and bright," one marveled. "It never felt irritated or dry and the results were instantaneous." This pick is also great if you travel regularly — it comes in 10 individual 0.1-ounce tubes in a travel bag, although some reported they were tricky to open.

Made with a high concentration of glycolic acid, Good Housekeeping Seal star Mary Kay earned the highest score in GH Beauty Lab tests for minimizing pores and smoothing texture without redness. Visia digital imaging found an 11% reduction in the number of visible pores, an 8% improvement in texture and a 13% decrease in acne-causing bacteria. Despite strong results, it earned a perfect score for not leaving skin red, was the least likely to sting and testers didn't report any real downsides (it's just on the pricier side). "My skin was tighter and more toned after even the first use," one raved.

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Although it contains a potent blend of lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids, La Prairie's splurge-worthy peel was both effective and super-gentle on skin. It scored highest in Lab digital-imaging evaluations for improving radiance and tied for first at reducing acne-promoting bacteria (by 20%). An impressive 100% of testers noted no peeling or flaking after application. Lab experts also like that it comes with a convenient and hygienic application brush, but some users found the formula difficult to rinse off.

"My skin looked smoother and brighter as soon as I washed it off — my family even noticed!" one tester revealed, "yet there was zero stinging." GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn agrees: "It doesn't make my skin peel or feel irritated at all, but I notice my skin is glowier immediately after use."

Alpyn Beauty's peel mask based on exfoliating acids like glycolic and malic as well as fruit extracts was created to be mild enough even for dry or sensitive skin types, despite featuring both chemical exfoliants and gentle skin-buffing benefits. "My complexion can be very reactive to peels and any product with acids, but I had zero stinging, dryness or irritation from this," GH's Beauty Director commented. "The formula felt pampering, unlike other peels, which can be medicinal, and I like that it's rinsed off to avoid any reactions from prolonged contact." Afterward, "my face looked a bit more vibrant and felt softer," she said, although it may not be strong enough to produce the desired results on oily or combination skin types.

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The iconic Dr. Dennis Gross two-step peel is GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek's "favorite peel of all time" for her acne-prone, oily skin thanks to its multi-acid formulation followed by a second retinol treatment step. "I like that it comes in three different strengths so there is something for everyone: I first started using the gentle variant and now I use the regular one and occasionally the extra strength," she noted. "I apply this at night and when I wake up, my skin not only feels and looks smoother but it also helps pores appear visibly smaller." Be aware that it can cause irritation, especially when you begin use, she noted.

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The GH Beauty Lab evaluated over 100 at-home face peels and narrowed them down to the top contenders, which were label-masked to eliminate brand bias and distributed to 72 testers. GH Beauty Lab scientists analyzed testers' skin in the Lab with the Visia Complexion Analyzer device (below) to measure pores, skin texture, visible spots and wrinkles before and after two weeks of use of their assigned at-home face peel.

Consumer testers reported their feedback on factors including ease of use, irritation and the look and feel of their skin (smoothness, line and pore reduction, brightness, and even tone). Finally, Lab experts tabulated 1,560 Visia data points and 8,190 consumer evaluation responses to identify the best at-home face peels on the market.

Here's what to know when looking for effective at-home face peels, according to GH Beauty Lab and dermatologist experts:

✔️ I.D. the right ingredients. The most common (and most effective) at-home chemical peel ingredients are alpha and beta hydroxy acids. These are naturally found in foods and plants, and can have either water- (alpha) or oil- (beta) loving properties.

- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic, lactic, mandelic, malic tartaric and citric acids have all been proven effective exfoliators.

- Beta hydroxy acids, the most ubiquitous of which is salicylic acid, has exfoliating properties. Salicylic acid uses its oil-attracting properties to remove dirt and oil from pores, making it ideal for acne-prone and oily skin.

- Enzymes derived from fruits (like pineapple or papaya) are also used in peels for gentle exfoliation.

✔️ Check the label. "Make sure the peel you’re purchasing is meant for at-home use and is not a professional product," Butler advises, as professional formulas can be stronger and potentially damage skin if applied incorrectly.

✔️ Know your brands. To better ensure safety, shop from well-known skincare brands and retailers that cater to at-home consumers, both Butler and Dr. Scott recommend.

✔️ Proceed with caution. "Those with extremely sensitive skin, rosacea, eczema or psoriasis should avoid at-home chemical peels as they can trigger flares," Dr. Scott advises.

✔️ Don't try TCA peels at home. You may see them mentioned online, but "never try a trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel at home," Butler warns. "TCA is a very powerful acid and should be used by professionals only."

In general, you can apply an at-home chemical peel once per week for sensitive or dry skin, and two or three times max for other skin types. Read the package instructions before using any new product and follow the directions for usage frequency, advises GH Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann. Know that more (often) doesn't mean better when it comes to face peels: "The biggest danger of any at-home peel is that many think using it more means faster and better results, but that couldn't be farther from the truth," Dr. Scott says. "I've seen many destroyed skin barriers and even chemical burns and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from at-home peels because someone used them too frequently."

It's also best to add one type of exfoliator into your routine at a time to avoid skin irritation and damage. For instance, if you’re trying a peel one week, avoid using a face scrub, cleansing brush or retinol treatment.

The strength of a face peel depends on the percentage of acid in the formula. "The FDA over-the-counter monograph on topical acne drug products sets a maximum of 2% salicylic acid for OTC acne drugs, so that is generally what you will see in at-home peels (though the peels are not necessarily acne-treating drugs)," Butler explains. "The FDA cites that products containing AHAs like lactic and glycolic acid are safe for use by consumers if the AHA concentration is 10 percent or less."

That said, "some well-known brands sell peels with AHAs in concentrations over 10%, though the high percentage is a blend of many AHAs including glycolic, lactic, tartaric and citric acids," she says. "Peels from higher-end and dermatologist-backed brands do not always state what percentage of acid they contain, and it is very easy to order products claiming incredibly high percentages of acids (30% pure glycolic acid and up) online, including kits meant to be used by professionals."

Your best bet: "Avoid those and shop from reputable retailers and well-known brands that carry products for at-home use," Butler suggests. Visit a board-certified dermatologist or professional medical spa for stronger peels with higher concentrations of acids to achieve optimal results and prevent skin damage.

Professional medical-grade chemical peels can contain higher levels of exfoliating acids than at-home peels to produce more visible results in less time and are administered by a dermatologist or aesthetician to ensure safety. "At-home chemical peels can be more affordable and convenient than professional peels, though their results will be less dramatic," Butler says. "They also usually don’t require recovery time or cause visible skin shedding, unlike professional peels."

Because at-home chemical peels work on the very superficial (top) layer of skin, the benefits are limited, Dr. Scott says. Visit a dermatologist for chemical peels or other treatments that can help improve more challenging skin concerns like wrinkles, sagging and scars, including those from acne.