Whipping up your very own chemical peel at home may seem like a lot of work, but it’s actually a relatively easy and cost-effective way to give your skin a big-time boost.
Just like the more expensive varieties performed by skincare professionals, do-it-yourself (DIY) chemical peels also provide a slew of beautifying benefits.
While there are many chemical peels to choose from, here we share the recipe for some of the best DIY chemical peels that you can try at-home.
How do chemical peels work?
Chemical peels work by exfoliating dead skin cells and eventually causing the top dermal layers to peel off, effectively leaving behind new skin that looks bright and feels soft and supple. By simultaneously cleaning pores while moisturizing the skin, chemical peels are a fast and relatively gentle way to give your skin a nourishing boost.
Although the phrase “chemical peel” might sound harsh, these homemade facials generally only use natural chemicals — naturally-derived acids, antioxidants, and moisturizers — to rejuvenate the skin.
They aid in reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, acne scars, and enlarged pores while simultaneously evening the skin out and treating dark spots.
This article is geared towards helping you find the perfect do-it-yourself facial chemical peel for your own unique skin issues, whether that be a gentle DIY chemical peel to reinvigorate your skin’s turnover rate, or just something to correct frustrating wrinkles and uneven skin.
» For a deeper, professional chemical peel, use our doctor directory to consult with a cosmetic doctor nearby.
Depending on the type of chemical peel and the ingredients you choose to add, you can customize your peel to suit your individual skincare issues. Most DIY chemical peels are suitable for acne scars as the active ingredients resurface the top layers of the skin, thereby reducing their appearance.
You can also make a homemade chemical peel to address dark spots by adding certain key ingredients like glycolic acid, which help even out and brighten the skin. Other recipes are better for removing dead skin on the feet, elbows, and legs.
In order to craft a chemical cocktail that suits your own personal needs, let’s take a look at some of the ingredients commonly added to homemade peels.
Glycolic acid — Found in everything from cane sugar to sour cream, glycolic acid is a key ingredient in many peels, especially homemade chemical peels for exfoliation. This acid sloughs away the top layers of the skin for a refreshing, rejuvenated result. Glycolic acid is also found in yogurt, vinegar, apples, blackberries, and a wide variety of citrus fruits — including lemons, limes and grapefruits. It’s easy availability makes it a go-to choice to add to your own at-home concoctions.
Antioxidants — Antioxidants have been proven to be highly beneficial to the skin, and they’re also easy to incorporate into your DIY chemical peel with ingredients found in the grocery store. You can craft chemical fruit peels with citrus juice and berry extracts in order to provide your skin with a natural antioxidant boost. For a powerful homemade chemical peel, lemon juice or another antioxidant-rich citrus can help cleanse and rejuvenate. Add extra antioxidants if you’re looking for a homemade chemical peel for melasma, acne, or irritated skin.
Natural moisturizers — There are all kinds of gentle, all-natural ingredients that you can use to add hydration to your homemade peel. We recommend implementing avocado, honey, or egg whites into your peels for a simple way to moisturize and ensure that the exfoliating ingredients don’t draw out too much hydration.
