The Appeal of At-Home Peels

Many of us are paying more attention to our skin now that we are home and having to put a best face forward on close-up, face-to-face work calls.  In fact, reports show that more women in the US are using facial skin care products today compared to one year ago, and that lifestyle changes including the effects of COVID-19 have in many ways altered skin care routines in a positive way.  

Yet, we may want a bit more facial rejuvenation right now beyond what our skin care program provides.  Winter can be particularly hard on skin, causing dryness and flakey skin that can accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. For this, one great option to try is an at-home peel.  These can be performed over a course of 14 days, and contain lower levels of solutions that professional and medical peels (for more on different levels of peels and their uses, go here).

Why Peel?

Our skin naturally sheds every 28 days. While skin exfoliation is a naturally occurring process, most skin types can stand some help.  For example, with age, this process slows which causes dull, tired looking skin oily skin tends to saturate dead skin cells and makes it difficult for these dead cells to fall off naturally.  Dry skin tends to let dead skin cells accumulate too quickly which can make skin look dry and dull. Most people's skin falls somewhere between these two skin types, but unless you have perfectly balanced skin (which is rare) some type of skin exfoliation can be very helpful.

The most important factor when considering various forms of chemical exfoliation is to consider the health of the skin’s natural protective barrier.  By their nature, chemical peels are intrusive to the skin’s protective barrier in varying degrees.  Over-aggressive exfoliation, or improperly performed chemical peels can cause more damage to the skin than good, and this damage can be permanent.  

The regular, proper use of exfoliants dissolves dead, flaky skin cells, stimulates collagen production, and builds elasticity. If your skin is exfoliated, it’s forced to create new cells revealing fresh, healthy skin cells. Chemical peels can be an effective and safe method to achieve beautiful results. Mild peels can be performed at-home using low percent Glycolic acids, including Lactic, Citric, Tartaric, Marine and Fruit Acids.  These should have the optimum pH of 3.5 and no more than 8% acid. At-home peels require no downtime for healing. However, it is still important to avoid sun exposure. 

The key is to use a controlled peel that works to gradually and gently exfoliate without over stripping the skin.  Since 1996, Repêchage® Rapidex® Marine Exfoliator With Phyto-Marine Actives has been is a safe and effective uni–dose program based on Phyto-Marine Extracts and natural Fruit Acids that gently exfoliate the skin, helping the skin to appear more even in tone and texture, feel softer and smoother. 

Repêchage Founder and CEO Lydia Sarfati created Rapidex® because she observed that clients were over-exfoliating their skin, whether with microdermabrasion, chemical and acid peels or laser resurfacing procedures. It’s unique uni–dose packaging stays fresh, and provides a large, pre-saturated cotton swab soaked in its exclusive formula to provide a controlled application process.

This 14 day at-home peel utilizes  Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, four forms of Seaweed extract including Laminaria Digitata Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Codium Tomentosum Extract and Corallina Officinalis Extract, Green Tea Extract, Grape Extract, a Multi-Fruit Extract including Kiwi, Apple and Strawberry Extracts, and calming Chamomile Extract

Used in succession for up to 14 days, this can help resurface skin for improved texture, helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, improves skin tone and helps to eliminate age spots and hyper pigmentation.  

While not painful and having minimum side-effects, the results are not as long-lasting as professional or medical medium to deep peels.  However, this peel can be performed repeatedly once a month, based on age and skin condition, for ongoing, consistent facial rejuvenation.

All categories and, in general, any skin type, from normal to dry, combination to acne.  Those with severe hypersensitivity or rosacea should use caution when using at-home chemical peels, and should consult with their skin care professional before using. 

Use nightly after cleansing for 14 days to perform the peel. Open the tube and apply the single dose applicator evenly on the face, throat and or back of hands, avoiding the eye area. Discard each applicator after single usage. Leave on overnight and rinse off in morning with regular cleansing. 

When performing an at-home peel, proper consideration of skin care that provides barrier restoration must be part of the process, using natural, ingredients such as Seaweed extracts, Hyaluronic Acid, Mastic Water and Camellia Japonica Seed Extract.  

These ingredients are found in the new Repêchage Hydra Dew Pure™ Collection for Dry, Compromised Skin.  A starter collection, featuring Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Facial Essence Mist, Facial Moisturizer, Night Cream and Eye Contour Cream is a great way to start a nurturing skin care program through the winter to help restore the essential moisture barrier and get skin ready for spring.  

It important to always protect skin daily with proper SPF especially when using products that contain chemical exfoliants like AHA and BHA. We also recommend, Mineral Face Shield is a water-free cream that contains no oils or fragrance, as is formulated with 40% Zinc Oxide to create an environmental barrier from environmental aggressors such as pollution and free radicals.

What skin care are you enjoying at home?  Let us know in the comments!