13 Best At-Home Chemical Peels for Glowy Skin, Tested by Beauty Scientists

The winner of the GH beauty Lab's face peel test, professional spa line Dermalogica's lactic acid peel earned the highest marks in almost every area: It was top in Lab assessment at diminishing hyperpigmentation spots, and 100% of users said it was best at evening skin tone, smoothing, brightening and reducing lines. GH Beauty Lab before-and-after digital imaging with the Visia Complexion Analyzer device showed it lessened breakout-inducing bacteria by 20% and refined skin texture by 5% after two weeks.

Every tester said they would use the product again. "My skin immediately felt so smooth and looked even and bright," one marveled. "It never felt irritated or dry and the results were instantaneous." This pick is also great if you travel regularly — it comes in 10 individual 0.1-ounce tubes in a travel bag, although some reported they were tricky to open.

No rinsing required with these foolproof L'Oréal Paris glycolic acid peel pads. Nearly every tester raved about how convenient and simple they are to use (just swipe them over clean skin!), though some didn't like the feeling of product left behind. Our Visia Complexion Analyzer imaging revealed that it cut blemish-causing bacteria by 19%, and 71% of testers said it brightened skin. "Love how smooth it made my skin feel," one commented. "I would definitely purchase this."

GH Beauty Award winner Garnier has broken the mold with a never-before-seen combo of makeup remover, cleanser and acid exfoliator in one. The liquid is mild enough for daily use, Lab evaluations found (so don't expect super strong exfoliation). It "didn't sting eyes or skin," and skin was left "smoother and clearer," testers noted.

Made with a high concentration of glycolic acid, Good Housekeeping Seal star Mary Kay earned the highest score in GH Beauty Lab tests for minimizing pores and smoothing texture without redness. Visia digital imaging found an 11% reduction in the number of visible pores, an 8% improvement in texture and a 13% decrease in acne-causing bacteria. Despite strong results, it earned a perfect score for not leaving skin red, was the least likely to sting and testers didn't report any real downsides (it's just on the pricier side). "My skin was tighter and more toned after even the first use," one raved.

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Although it contains a potent blend of lactic, glycolic and salicylic acids, La Prairie's splurge-worthy peel was both effective and super-gentle on skin. It scored highest in Lab digital-imaging evaluations for improving radiance and tied for first at reducing acne-promoting bacteria (by 20%). An impressive 100% of testers noted no peeling or flaking after application. Lab experts also like that it comes with a convenient and hygienic application brush, but some users found the formula difficult to rinse off.

"My skin looked smoother and brighter as soon as I washed it off — my family even noticed!" one tester revealed, "yet there was zero stinging." GH Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn agrees: "It doesn't make my skin peel or feel irritated at all, but I notice my skin is glowier immediately after use."

Philosophy's individually-packed pads were the only product to show some visible wrinkle improvement in Lab Visia Complexion Analyzer tests, and it also ranked at the top for improving skin texture and not excessively irritating. Testers gave the peel the best score for brightening and 100% agreed that it smoothed their skin. "After each use, my skin looked brighter for two days," one remarked. "It also felt softer and smoother." One drawback: some users complained of the "strange" scent.

Alpyn Beauty's peel mask based on exfoliating acids like glycolic and malic as well as fruit extracts was created to be mild enough even for dry or sensitive skin types, despite featuring both chemical exfoliants and gentle skin-buffing benefits. "My complexion can be very reactive to peels and any product with acids, but I had zero stinging, dryness or irritation from this," GH's Beauty Director commented. "The formula felt pampering, unlike other peels, which can be medicinal, and I like that it's rinsed off to avoid any reactions from prolonged contact." Afterward, "my face looked a bit more vibrant and felt softer," she said, although it may not be strong enough to produce the desired results on oily or combination skin types.

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The iconic Dr. Dennis Gross two-step peel is GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek's "favorite peel of all time" for her acne-prone, oily skin thanks to its multi-acid formulation followed by a second retinol treatment step. "I like that it comes in three different strengths so there is something for everyone: I first started using the gentle variant and now I use the regular one and occasionally the extra strength," she noted. "I apply this at night and when I wake up, my skin not only feels and looks smoother but it also helps pores appear visibly smaller." Be aware that it can cause irritation, especially when you begin use, she noted.

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A blend of naturally-derived ingredients, including tartaric and malic acids plus exfoliating enzymes from fruit, works to gently slough skin in this Naturopathica peel. "It has a pleasant sweet scent and leaves skin looking clear without dehydrating," GH's Beauty Director reported. Note: The milder formula may not be the best choice for those looking for strong effects from a peel.

Dr. Scott recommends this luxurious face peel kit created by celebrity aesthetician Shani Darden for brightening and smoothing skin. "I love the combination of lactic, mandelic and glycolic acids and the neutralizing mask to apply afterwards," she says. It comes with eight sachets of the exfoliating peel solution, so it is on the pricier side per use, although the set also includes the clay mask and an applicator brush.

Butler recommends this at-home face peel from dermatologist brand Neostrata infused with a high 10% level of glycolic acid for its simplicity and minimal irritation, even with daily use. "I simply swipe a pad across my face and then continue with the rest of my routine, as it doesn’t have to be rinsed off," she said. "It's gentle enough to be used every night and didn't irritate, aside from a slight stinging on some parts of my face upon application that subsides quickly." The results: "My skin felt softer and my pores looked clearer when I used this regularly," Butler revealed.

Boost skin's clarity and radiance fast by smoothing on Suki Skincare's peel, a mix of glycolic and salicylic acids with fruit extracts like apple, grapefruit and papaya. "I like to apply this when I get in the shower and rinse it off at the end for a mini spa treatment at home," GH's Beauty Director says, thanks to its relaxing herbal scent from lavender oil. The bottle size is small, however, so it may not last as long as others.

A delicious jam-like texture and a long list of effective exfoliating acids (glycolic, lactic, malic, mandelic, phytic, tartaric) combine in this peel from famed aesthetician Renée Rouleau to lightly resurface skin bumps and uneven texture. While some users felt the berry pieces in the formula made it tricky to apply and rinse off, others raved about the skin benefits. "This leaves my face feeling smoother and looking brighter, great for when my complexion is dull or tired," GH's Beauty Director said.