Book
Skincare / Guides / What to use after a chemical peel

Aftercare guide

What to use after a chemical peel

The short answerAfter a chemical peel, use a calming cleanser, a hydrating masque or serum, a soothing moisturizer and mineral SPF. Do not pick or scrub peeling skin, and hold retinoids and acids until your provider says the peel has finished.

Shop the routine, $327

The post-peel routine

Calm, hydrate and protect while the old skin sheds.

  1. 1Alastin Ultra Calm Cleansing CreamCleanse

    Ultra Calm Cleansing Cream

    AlastinA cleansing cream that will not foam away the moisture your skin needs while it peels.$53

  2. 2SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 MasqueHydrate

    Hydrating B5 Masque

    SkinCeuticalsA hydrating masque with hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5. Use it as an overnight layer or a rinse-off mask when the skin feels tight.$110

  3. 3Alastin Ultra-Nourishing MoisturizerMoisturize

    Ultra-Nourishing Moisturizer

    AlastinHydrates, nourishes and soothes. Apply generously while you are peeling.$92

  4. 4Alastin Silk Shield All Mineral SPF 30Protect

    Silk Shield All Mineral SPF 30

    AlastinMineral SPF every morning. New skin after a peel burns and pigments easily.$72

The complete routine, 4 products$327Ships freeBuy the routine now

Day by day

General guidance. Your provider's aftercare instructions come first.

Day 0 to 2Skin feels tight, may look slightly shiny or flushed. Gentle cleanse, moisturize, mineral SPF.
Day 2 to 5Peeling usually starts. Moisturize more often. Do not pull flakes off, trim them if they catch.
Day 5 to 10Peeling finishes. New skin is sensitive, so keep the SPF on.
After peeling stopsBring actives back on your provider's timeline. At-home peel pads keep the result going between sessions.

What moisturizer to use after a chemical peel

A soothing one without fragrance, acids or retinoids. Richer is usually better while you are peeling. If your skin is very tight at night, a hydrating masque layered under or instead of moisturizer can help.

What not to use after a chemical peel

Retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C, scrubs, cleansing brushes, waxing and fragranced products, until the peel has finished and your provider agrees. Peels such as Cosmelan and VI Peel come with their own specific home protocols, so follow those exactly.

Calming now, maintaining later

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective is a calming masque for reactive skin. AlphaRet Peel Pads are an at-home step to maintain results between professional peels, once your provider clears actives.

Phyto Corrective Mask (60ml)

SkinCeuticals
Phyto Corrective Mask (60ml)
$66

AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads

skinbetter science
AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads
$115

Questions people ask

What should I put on my face after a chemical peel?

A gentle cleanser, a hydrating masque or moisturizer and mineral SPF. Nothing that exfoliates.

Can I use moisturizer after a chemical peel?

Yes, and you should. Moisturizing more often makes peeling more comfortable and less visible.

When can I use retinol after a chemical peel?

Once peeling has finished and your skin no longer feels sensitive, commonly around a week to ten days. Your provider will confirm.

Can I wear makeup after a chemical peel?

Often after a day or two for light peels. During active peeling, makeup tends to cling to flakes.

Treatment at BHRC

Chemical peels

Booking a peel? Ask which at-home routine suits the depth you are having.

Read about chemical peels

Keep reading

What to put on your face after microneedlingMorpheus8 aftercare: the products to use, day by dayWhat to put on your face after CO2 laserSkincare after IPL and Clear + BrilliantCosmelan medical-grade peelsShop all skincare

Products are dispensed by Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, an authorized retailer. This guide is general education, not medical advice. Follow the aftercare instructions from your own provider.