There is nothing quite like a skin peel to leave your complexion bright, even and glowing. In the past, skin peels were exclusively performed by professionals at clinics and salons, but these days there is a major demand for home peeling systems.
DIY treatments were popularized during the Covid-19 pandemic, when we were all staying at home. For a lot of people this trend stuck, and some actually learnt to love their home treatments. For others, it came down to cost, and DIY treatments were an affordable alternative.
A professional skin peel can cost roughly R1000 (or more, depending on the brand and concentrate of acids used). While you can’t necessarily put a price on the benefits of having peels, it’s a lot of money to spend, which is why so many women are seeking more affordable routes.
So what’s the difference between a home peel and a professional salon peel? Good quality home peeling systems or masks from reputable brands should offer a mild home peel that is safe to do without the supervision of a professional. It should offer exfoliation, brightening, resurfacing and rejuvenating benefits.
Salon or clinic peels will make use of ingredients of higher concentrates, and require a professional to perform and oversee the treatment, to ensure your safety.
A home peeling treatment should by definition be milder than a professional counterpart. While a home treatment is not the equivalent of a professional peel, it’s a great alternative during times when you have to cut back on your beauty budget, or when you just can’t find the time to visit a salon.
When shopping for a home peeling kit, be sure to purchase one from a well-known and reputable beauty brand as these would have undergone rigorous safety tests to ensure they’re safe for home use. Read the instructions carefully before you start, and most importantly, follow them strictly. Do not leave product on your skin for longer than stipulated and call your medical practitioner should you experience burning or an adverse reaction.
We’ve done the research to find home peeling products that are safe, simple to use and deliver results. These are the ones we use ourselves:
Diego Dalla Palma Revivyl Resurface2 30-Day Skin Perfecting Treatment (R1895.00 for a 30-day treatment)
This kit was specially designed for the treatment of uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation marks, uneven skin texture and acne marks. It consists of:
Exfoliating Cleansing Cream: Impurities and makeup residues are easily removed from the face and lips, without drying the skin and leaving it soft and hydrated. Micro-encapsulated salicylic acid promotes the removal of dead skin cells, leaving the complexion smoother and the skin more even and pure.
Rebalancing Serum: A concentrated, purifying and uniforming concentrate that is ideal for blemishes caused by acne and impurities, and for treating scars and imperfections.
Micro Exfoliating Cream SPF50: Daily photo-protective cream with gel, ultra-light texture and is non-greasy for fast absorption. It contains REVIVYL, which reduces superficial imperfections, small scars and wrinkles, refines the pores and evens out the complexion.
Skin Renewal Night Serum: Intensive night-time perfecting treatment with 2% sustained-release micro-encapsulated salicylic acid, it creates an invisible film on the skin for a purifying, exfoliating action and limits the proliferation of bacteria associated with impure and/or acne-prone skin. With its ultra-smoothing formulation, skin is left smoother, more radiant and revitalized.
iS Clinical Active Peel System (R1833.00 for a box of 15)
The clinically-advanced, botanically based Active Peel System is a powerful yet gentle, fast-acting two-step treatment designed to resurface and polish the skin while providing hydration, rejuvenation, and antioxidant protection. Designed to use every other day, this complete skin treatment produces a cool tingling sensation upon application as it activates. The well-balanced system helps to improve the appearance of skin tone and texture, resulting in a smooth, hydrated, and more youthful-looking complexion.
Step 1 is designed to provide controlled exfoliation, featuring a proprietary combination of powerful yet gentle botanical acids combined with soothing, nurturing botanical extracts.
Step 2 provides hydration and rejuvenation, featuring proprietary botanical extremozyme technology and Copper Tripeptide-1 combined with soothing active botanicals.
Filorga Skin Perfusion Glycopeel Mask (R925.00 for 50ml)
This at-home peeling mask is ideal for tackling skin imperfections, fine lines and wrinkles and dull complexions. Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells, refines skin texture and reduces wrinkles, while phytic acid inhibits melanin production, ensuring complexion uniformity. ProVitamin B5 and Allantoin combined with a Polysaccharide ensure comfort for sensitive skin. It’s suitable for all skin types, and its powerful exfoliation effect provides an instant glow for a complete renewed complexion.
Dermaceutic Mask 15 Oil Reducing Mask (R1120.00)
Mask 15 purifies the skin by removing imperfections and dead skin cells. It contains 2% salicylic acid to unclog pores and 15% glycolic acid to stimulate cell renewal by destroying the links that bind dead cells together. Combined with bentonite, it reduces excess oiliness and the appearance of large pores. Recommended for the treatment of imperfections and an irregular skin texture.
