Find the best chemical peel for wrinkles for your skin type, skin condition, and budget!
Overall, my top recommendation is Platinum Skin Care TCA Peel 7-13-20-30.
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Platinum Skin Care is my top pick for an effective anti-aging chemical peel. With over 1,200+ reviews, this bestselling face peel is available in 4 concentrations:
• 7% TCA: Best for Sensitive Skin and Eye Peels
• 13% TCA: Best for Darker Skin Types and Beginners
• 20% TCA: Best for Advanced and Lip Peels
• 30% TCA: Best for TCA CROSS and Body Peels
These are certified chemical peels often used by professionals like dermatologists and aestheticians so you’re getting the same quality for a fraction of the price.
In addition, unique Cool-Action (Menthol) additives help produce a more comfortable peel experience by reducing burning, stinging, and irritation. 🤗
For beginners to chemical peels, I recommend starting with the 13% TCA peel (single layer) which is considered a superficial peel similar to a 30-50% glycolic acid peel.
Once you’re able to apply 4-5 layers of it consistently, it’s time to move up to 20% TCA.
For eye peels (to treat eye bags, eye hoods, dark circles, crow’s feet), only use 7% TCA as the skin around your eyes is extremely thin and therefore very sensitive.
For TCA CROSS (to treat atrophic acne scars, especially ice pick scars) and body peels, you’ll need 30% TCA to remove damaged scar tissue and promote skin regeneration.
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⚠️ Now, let’s talk about TCA safety for a minute. Here’s a great video by Platinum Skin Care:
Unlike alpha hydroxy acids, the depth of a TCA peel is determined by the concentration and the number of layers (more layers = deeper peel) so proper peel technique is critical.
In fact, research shows that multiple layers of a lower concentration peel can produce the same results as a higher concentration peel but with fewer side effects (Soleymani, 2018).
Following the peel, you should expect to see flaking and mild redness for a few days with an average recovery time of about 10-14 days (more for higher concentrations).
In dark skin, however, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common concern that can be prevented by preparing the skin with a melanin inhibitor (such as Meladerm), applying adequate sunscreen pre- and post-peel, and using a lower concentration.
For at-home TCA peel instructions, here’s a helpful tutorial by dermatologist Dr. Davin Lim:
Platinum Skin Care also has a wealth of information on TCA here and here. 👍
My Verdict: TCA is an excellent, but often misunderstood, chemical peel for promoting healthy, smooth, and glowing skin. I recommend Platinum Skin Care for their high quality and wide selection of TCA peels with unique Cool-Action (Menthol) technology.
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Looking for an affordable yet effective chemical peel?
Glycolix Elite is one of the best deals on the market: a 20% glycolic acid peel with 60 peel pads for under $30!
(previously known as Glycolix Elite Treatment Pads)
With over 1,300 reviews on Amazon, Glycolix Elite is a popular product for fading dark spots and acne marks, while helping you fight blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores as well (perfect for acne-prone skin).
This chemical peel features 20% crystalline glycolic acid, which is the highest purity and medical grade form, plus witch hazel to refine pores, green tea to soothe skin, and vitamin A, C, E and CoQ10 for antioxidant protection.
Overall, it's an excellent ingredient list that rivals even premium chemical peels like CANE+AUSTIN Miracle Pad+.
Glycolix Elite recommends using this product 1-2x daily, but that's a bit too much for a 20% glycolic peel.
Instead, I recommend starting with 2-3 times a week and working your way up to every day or every other day.
In terms of results, hundreds of customers claim Glycolix Elite helped clear up their breakouts, promote smooth skin, and fade dark spots and acne marks.
However, I noticed that most of the top reviews on Amazon are a bit outdated (2016-2018).
Regardless, Glycolix Elite provides unbeatable value for under $30 and should last you at least 4-6 months (if you use them 3x a week) which works out to only $0.50 per treatment. 👏
Finally, as one helpful reviewer points out: make sure to neutralize this chemical peel after 1-5 minutes and rinse with cold water as it does not include a neutralization pad.
My Verdict: Whether you're a beginner to chemical peels or a seasoned veteran, Glycolix Elite is the obvious choice for an affordable yet effective glycolic acid peel for under $30!
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With over 10,000 reviews (yes, you read that right! 😮), QRxLabs Glycolic Acid 20% Resurfacing Pads has basically won the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys combined. 🏆
Editor's Note: I've connected with the founder before and he's always busy handling all those orders!
Overall, this chemical peel is very similar to Glycolix Elite:
Once again, glycolic acid helps transform your skin by removing dead skin cells, increasing collagen production, shrinking enlarged pores, and evening out skin tone.
Meanwhile, allantoin (comfrey extract) and panthenol (vitamin B5) provide much-needed hydration and stimulate tissue regeneration while vitamin C and E form an antioxidant network to fight free radical damage.
Finally, calendula flower and green tea extract soothe stinging and reduce skin irritation during the peel.
Each pad is made from highly durable rayon/polypropylene material with a waffle pattern textured surface for easy application and convenient finger notches as well.
In terms of results, there's literally thousands of reviews that you can read on Amazon.com (a new entertainment source in case you've exhausted Netflix, YouTube, and Tik-Tok 🤣).
Overall, I'm pretty impressed with how this chemical peel has maintained a very high rating even after 8,000+ reviews (over 83% of customers gave it 4- or 5-stars ⭐).
My Verdict: If your skin needs some T.L.C. work, get the bestselling QRxLabs glycolic acid pads and see for yourself why this product has garnered over 10,000 reviews!
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Are you tired of overpriced skincare products where you're paying for 80% hype and 20% ingredients? 🤔
If so, you'll love this amazingly affordable brand that sells chemical peels starting at $10: ASDM Beverly Hills.
Now, when a price is "too good to be true", it usually is...
That's why I ordered a batch of their chemical peels (40/60% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic acid, 60% lactic acid) and after testing them, I'm very happy with the quality!
ASDM has a full selection of glycolic peels from 10-70% available in 1 oz and 2 oz sizes (the 2 oz is the best deal).
A single bottle will definitely last many months, especially if you use peel pads to avoid wasting any product.
Finally, this is an unbuffered lactic peel, which means you're getting the natural pH of glycolic acid (it's stronger than buffered, which raises the pH to increase safety).
If you love to save money (who doesn't?) or do chemical peels at home on a regular basis, ASDM Beverly Hills is a fantastic place to stock up on low-cost peels.
You can put the savings into additional peels or try some of ASDM's bestselling products like 100% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum and Tepezcohuite Serum.
For best results, use Chemical Peel Prep Kit (a bit expensive, but it's got everything you need) and follow-up with Matrixyl 3000 Serum with Hyaluronic Acid or Tepezcohuite Moisturizer.
ASDM Beverly Hills Coupon: save an extra 10% with LIFE10 and get free shipping after $60.
My Verdict: Don't pay for the hype and expensive marketing of mainstream brands. Get chemical peels starting at $10 from ASDM Beverly Hills and keep more of your money! 🤗
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For a convenient & effective anti-aging chemical peel, Perfect Image’s Revitaboost Peel Pads are easy to use and come in 30 pre-soaked cotton towelettes.
(btw, that works out to $1 per peel! 😍 Plus, Perfect Image is giving my readers 20% off with promo code DERM20)
The Revitaboost Peel Pads target common signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, and uneven tone.
The key ingredients include a 35% AHA blend of TCA, glycolic, mandelic, malic, and citric acids to remove problematic skin and restore elasticity & suppleness.
Meanwhile, willow bark extract (natural salicylic acid) fights acne and opens pores (perfect for oily skin type).
In addition, botanical extracts help reduce skin irritation while providing antioxidant and brightening benefits.
Perfect Image Coupon: My readers save an extra 20% off with promo code DERM20 and you get free shipping with any $20+ order! 👍
My Verdict: For an effective anti-aging chemical peel, Perfect Image Revitaboost Peel Pads are the “perfect” option with 35% AHAs and botanical extracts.
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Are you looking for a simple yet powerful solution for your hyperpigmentation?
Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 is an award-winning professional chemical peel (as seen in Harper's Bazaar) that has helped thousands transform their skin.
With almost 1,000 reviews on Exuviance and Ulta Beauty, Performance Peel AP25 is one of the bestselling and highest rated at home chemical peels with over 87% of customers giving it 4- or 5-stars! ⭐
But what makes Performance Peel AP25 so effective?
As always, it comes down to the ingredients: a 25% blend of glycolic acid, mandelic acid, and gluconolactone.
Glycolic acid, the smallest alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), helps remove dead skin cells and stimulate collagen growth, while mandelic acid brightens your skin tone and reduces the appearance of blemishes and redness.
Meanwhile, gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA), resurfaces texture and restores hydration.
In addition, Performance Peel AP25 is very suitable for sensitive skin as mandelic acid and gluconolactone are two of the most gentle acids due to their large molecular size. 🤗
So what can you expect in terms of results?
Well, Exuviance conducted a 30-day study where participants used a PHA skincare regimen along with Performance Peel AP25 twice a week. By the end of this study:
Finally, check out these before/after photos after 5 weeks of treatment:
In this example, this woman experienced a significant reduction in hyperpigmentation, particularly the brown spots (most likely sun damage) along her cheeks and temples.
Of course, keep in mind that everyone is different and your mileage may vary (YMMV).
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For long-term anti-aging results, you should incorporate a 30% glycolic peel into your skincare routine.
Created by dermatologist Dr. Craig Austin, Miracle Pad+ claims to be comparable to professional in-office peels.
With the equivalent of 30% glycolic acid, plus lactic acid, salicylic acid, and tartaric acid, this chemical peel can produce significant improvements for your skin.
Meanwhile, vitamin A, C, E, and CoQ10 (ubiquinone) provide anti-inflammatory properties while cucumber and chamomile extracts nourish and refresh your skin.
The company recommends using Miracle Pad+ daily but I'd start with twice a week and go from there.
Editor's Note: CANE+AUSTIN is relatively expensive but you can save 20% by signing up for their email list and buying Miracle Pad+ directly from their online store.
Alternatively, an excellent budget option is Glycolix Elite.
