Facial Peels

Facial Peels

Facial peels are one of the most popular clinical skin care treatments performed in the offices of dermatologists and plastic surgeons. These procedures are designed to help resurface the skin, making imperfections less visible and leaving the complexion softer and brighter. If you're hoping to get the benefits of a facial peel but don't want to undergo a clinical procedure, at-home skin care treatments are a great solution. With regular use, these products can provide many of the benefits of clinical facial peels. At Walgreens, we have a large selection of products to meet your needs.

How Does a Peel Off Mask Work?

One form of facial peel that is available for home use is the peel-off facial mask. These products come in gel or cream forms and are applied all over the complexion. Then, the formula is allowed to harden or dry for an extended period of time. After the required amount of time has passed, you simply peel the hardened mask off of your skin, using your fingers. When you remove the mask, dead skin cells are lifted off along with it. Peeling away the layer of cellular debris on the outer surface of the complexion can help to remove flakiness, revive dull skin and lessen the depth of fine lines and wrinkles.

What Is a Chemical Exfoliant?

In clinical settings, facial peels are performed with strong chemical exfoliators like glycolic acid or lactic acid. These powerful acids dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells in place, so that the tissue can be lifted away. Many top skin care brands offer milder versions of these chemical exfoliators for use at home. These products come in different strengths. If you're completely new to at-home chemical peels, experts recommend choosing a mild formula to begin treatment.

What Is Microdermabrasion?

Microdermabrasion is another type of clinical skin care treatment that is a popular choice for individuals who want to reduce the prominence of skin imperfections and get the benefits of deep exfoliation. The treatments provide many of the same benefits as clinical facial peels but do not use chemical exfoliators to deliver results. Instead, microdermabrasion involves loosening the skin with very fine particles of gemstones. A number of skin care brands offer at-home microdermabrasion products that can be used for exfoliation. These products typically feature fine granules of minerals or the shells of nuts and seeds, and most formulas require rinsing after use.

Peels for Purifying and Decongesting

Facial peels are not always used simply for exfoliation. People who suffer from blemishes or skin congestion may choose to undergo a facial peel treatment. This is because the cellular debris that collects on the face can become lodged in the pores, contributing to blemish breakouts, blackheads and oversized pores. If you're considering a facial peel to address one of these concerns, a purifying mask may be the ideal solution. These products draw oil out of the pores, lessening congestion. Many formulas also contain ingredients that have a purifying effect to reduce future breakouts.