13 At-Home Chemical Peels That Won't Burn Your Face Off

Fun fact about me: If I could get a professional chemical peel every day, I totally would. ...Okay, well maybe not every day, because my face would quite literally fall off, but you get the idea. I just really love chemical peels—they leave my skin super bright, smooth, and zit-free. The only downside? Professional chemical peels can be expensive and time-consuming. So because I'm perpetually on a budget, I get my exfoliation fix in another way: with at-home chemical peels. Truly, you need to try one, and I'm here to help you figure out which one and how.

How do at home chemical peels work?

At-home face peels contain the same potent exfoliating ingredients (like AHAs, BHAs, enzymes, and retinol) that you'd find at your dermatologist's or facialist's office, but in concentrations that are safe enough for you to use in your bathroom without burning your face off. Think of them as the ~light~ version of a classic chemical peel. And because they're less intense, they're pretty fool-proof to experiment with, as long as you're using the right formula for your skin type.

What are the benefits of using a chemical peel at home vs. professional peels?

Not only are at-home chemical peels speedier and significantly cheaper than pro peels (which can cost as much as $400 a session), but they can also be equally effective when used as a regular part of your skincare routine. Combined with daily sunscreen and moisturizer, at-home chemical peels are great for smoothing fine lines, minimizing pore sizes, fading hyperpigmentation, and preventing breakouts. Really, unless your skin is super, super sensitive (like, if you have rosacea or keratosis pilaris, stick to the in-office, expert-approved peels), I highly recommend you try one for yourself. Ahead, the 13 best at-home chemical peels, pads, and liquids for almost every skin type and concern.