Did you know that chemical peeling is a 2,000 year old tradition?
Chemical peels like lactic acid (milk) and tartaric acid (wine) were used in the ancient world, most famously by Cleopatra and the Egyptians in the form of sour donkey milk bathes.
Fortunately, you no longer need a whole bathtub of sour milk to achieve that Egyptian glow. 🤣
You just need a simple lactic acid peel and a few minutes of time!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
What Is The Best Lactic Acid Peel?
Here are my top picks for the best lactic acid peel:
- Editor's Choice: Perfect Image Lactic 50% Gel Peel
- Professional Quality: Platinum Skin Care Lactic Acid 50 Peel
- Best Value for Money: ASDM Beverly Hills Lactic Acid Peel 25-90%
- Best Combination Peel: QRxLabs Glycolic/Lactic Acid 30/20 Gel Peel
- Strongest Chemical Peel: Skin Beauty Solutions Lactic Acid Skin Peel 90%
- Best for Clear Skin: Planet Eden 20% Gly-Lactic Exfoliating Pads
- Best for Glowing Skin: Perfect Image Hydro-Glo Peel Pads 40%
Finally, a blend of botanical extracts (green tea, cucumber, chamomile, comfrey) soothes skin and reduces redness for a more comfortable peel experience.
As with any chemical peel, make sure to follow all pre-peel and post-peel instructions, including pretreatment with a melanin inhibitor like Meladerm to help darker skin types avoid PIH.
For best results, apply the chemical peel with Premium Peel Application Pads and follow-up with Hydra-Repair Super Moisturizer. 😉
My Verdict: I don't always use a lactic acid peel, but when I do, I prefer Perfect Image because it's a high-quality chemical peel with bonus brightening boosters at a reasonable price.
RELATED:
Last but not least, Platinum Skin Care has a ton of useful information about chemical peels on their website and YouTube channel. I highly recommend checking out their videos, such as this one which provides an overview of lactic acid peels:
In addition, you'll find a collection of testimonial videos on Platinum Skin Care's product page, which is helpful for seeing actual before/after photos and what real customers had to say.
My Verdict: When it comes to chemical peels, don't leave your skin in the hands of any brand. Choose a professional one like Platinum Skin Care that's been in business for almost 20 years with an entire selection of chemical peels, essential accessories, and customer support.
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.
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! 🤗
Meanwhile, lactic acid balances out the formula by attracting moisture into the epidermis to offset the drying effects of glycolic acid.
Finally, QRxLabs added calendula, chamomile, and green tea extract for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant skin benefits, keeping your skin refreshed during the chemical peel.
My Verdict: QRxLabs Glycolic/Lactic Acid 30/20 Gel Peel is a fan favorite that combines the "best of both worlds" for one amazing price. 👍
My Verdict: If you're searching for the strongest chemical peel, Skin Beauty Solutions has the answer with its bestselling 90% lactic acid peel, available in 1-16oz sizes and 15mL roll-on stick.
If you decide to use Planet Eden, start with 2x a week and slowly increase to once a day.
A 10% version is also available for more sensitive skin.
My Verdict: Eliminate breakouts, blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores with Planet Eden for the smoother, clearer, and acne-free skin that you deserve! 👍
For best results, use with Hydra-Repair Super Moisturizer.
My Verdict: A healthy glow is only a peel away with Hydro-Glo Peel Pads featuring lactic acid and mandelic acid, powerful brightening agents, and natural fruit enzymes.
READ NEXT:
3 Alternatives to Lactic Acid
Didn't find what you're looking for? Here are some popular alternatives to lactic acid:
- Glycolic Acid: the most popular (and smallest) type of alpha hydroxy acid is perfect for beginners and helps with a whole range of skin conditions
- Salicylic Acid: this beta hydroxy acid (BHA) is particularly effective for oily skin
- Trichloroacetic Acid: if you need a stronger peeling agent, TCA penetrates deeper than superficial peels to correct skin texture, wrinkles, fine lines, and acne scars
Not sure which chemical peel is right for you? Take our 3-step quiz to find the perfect one - it will take into consideration your skin type, skin concerns, and level of experience.