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15 Best At-Home Chemical Peels, Tested by Skincare Experts
These glow-boosting face peels are the next best thing to professional treatments.

Exfoliation is a key step in any skincare routine and one way to achieve it is by using a face peel. "At-home chemical peels are products made with chemical exfoliators, usually acids, that help break down and shed the outermost layer of skin cells," explains Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. "The acids in at-home peels loosen the bonds between the outer skin cells, allowing them to fall away."
The results are real: "By exfoliating the outermost layer of skin, peels can make skin appear smoother and feel softer," she says. "They can help unclog pores, making them look smaller, and reduce the appearance of dark spots." Benefits can also include "improving skin tone and glow, as well as combatting acne breakouts, depending on the ingredients," adds Laura Scott, M.D., a dermatologist and founder of Scott & Co. Skin in San Diego, California. The most common types of acids used in at-home peels are alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), Dr. Scott says.
Our top picks:
The GH Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab rigorously tests at-home chemical peels in the Lab using digital imaging to track changes in skin before and after use, as well as on consumer testers, who evaluate the products on attributes such as ease of use, irritation and perceived results. In the Beauty Lab's latest face peel test, scientists tallied 9,750 data points to find the best at-home chemical peels.
Here, everything to know about the best at-home chemical face peels you can buy as tested by the GH Beauty Lab, including picks for hyperpigmentation, glycolic acid formulas and professional brands.
Sabina (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.
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