If you’re not exfoliating your skin regularly, you’re missing out on some major beauty benefits: a healthy glow, a reduction in breakouts and dark spots, and improved skin tone. The list goes on and on. One of my favorite ways to exfoliate is using peel pads soaked with chemical acids (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, and fruit enzymes) to support skin cell turnover. It’s gratifying to see how much dirt, debris, and makeup comes off with each use.
To further explore the benefits of exfoliating peel pads, we chatted with Crystal Koro, a master aesthetician and founder of Crystal Clear Skin and Beauty in Los Angeles.
The Benefits of Using Peel Pads
In addition to backing up the benefits shared above, Koro knows firsthand how incredible peel pads are. “There are endless benefits to proper exfoliation, and using a chemical exfoliant is easily my favorite,” she begins. “I recommend them to almost every client that comes into my treatment room, and they are my best-selling products because they will give you real results.”
On top of their ability to deliver a clearer and more radiant complexion, peel pads work wonders below the neck. “They can be used all over the body and are not limited to just the face,” Koro shares. “I love using them for keratosis pilaris (KP) on the backs of the arms and acne on the chest, back, and derrière.” You can also use them on your underarms to reduce pigmentation and odor. (Who knew?)
Expert Tips for Use
As the name suggests, peel pads can cause your skin to peel or shed, underscoring the importance of using them safely and correctly. “I always suggest that my clients first try peel pads on their hand or neck to check for sensitivity or allergies to the product,” Koro explains. It’s best to build up usage as you gauge tolerance, starting with once weekly and increasing frequency from there. As tolerated, Koro suggests using peel pads twice a week and building up to every other night. After all, you don’t want to overdo it—so go slow and steady to win the glow-getting race.
“Make sure you are properly hydrating and protecting your skin to reduce sensitivity when using any form of exfoliant,” Koro adds. This includes prioritizing hydrating skincare ingredients, applying plenty of moisturizer, and, most importantly, using SPF every morning. No exceptions.
You’ll want to shop for the best peel pads unique to your skin type and concerns. Whether your complexion is dull and dry or oily and acne-prone (or somewhere in between), we’ve rounded up the top exfoliating pads for any and every need below.
Meet the Expert
Crystal Coro is a medical aesthetician and founder of Crystal Clear Skin and Beauty. Her signature treatments quickly gained acclaim from social media influencers like Model Roz, Patrick Ta, Ariana Grande, and Olivia Culpo. Crystal has been featured in television and media outlets as a “master esthetician to the stars.” Yet, she has the uncanny ability to make every client she works with feel like a star.
