Do skin peels work?

Dull, dry, pigmented or congested skin? A targeted skin care routine is key to long-term good skin, as is adapting it with the seasons to maintain great skin quality. Right now, most complexions will benefit from an additional level of exfoliation so incorporating a peel element can be extremely effective.

Liquid peels resurface skin, sloughing off the top layer of skin to reveal clearer, healthier, more youthful-looking skin and decreasing cellular turnover time. They stimulate collagen and elastin production and increase skin thickness too which makes them the ideal non-invasive option to treat or slow signs of ageing, as well as boosting skin radiance in autumn / winter months.

Bury any misconceptions about visible skin shedding as this doesn’t apply to milder peels but stronger versions will do and require a little downtime – the results typically justify the means, though.

Peels can also be a great way to help skin acclimatise to active ingredients, while gradually improving skin health over time. Many patients opt for them to treat specific concerns, including hyperpigmentation, acne and uneven texture.

The efficacy, process and results from a peel are dictated by its formulation – most include acids in their active ingredients, such as salicylic acid to reduce breakouts; all-rounder retinoic acid for acne, hyperpigmentation, texture; and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), the active most commonly used in medium-depth to deeper peels, scarring, lines and wrinkles and skin laxity.

All-in-all, they’re an efficient, clinically proven step towards luminous skin.