How to Use an AHA Peel for the First Time

“Peel” is a terrible word for marketing. It makes people imagine their face coming off in sheets. A modern leave-on AHA peel is nothing like that. It is a liquid you put on in the evening, go to bed, and wake up with skin that is a little smoother. The drama is optional, and I recommend skipping it.

Here is how to start, using our AHA Peeling Concentrate as the example: 10% lactic acid, 1% hyaluronic acid, white tea and sage extracts. The same rules apply to most gentle AHA products.

What an AHA actually does

AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) loosen the “glue” between dead cells on the very top layer of your skin, so they shed more evenly instead of piling up. That is it. Smoother texture, more even tone and a brighter look all come from that one action, repeated patiently. It does not “burn off” anything, and it should not hurt.

Before the first night: patch test

Apply a small amount to a spot along the jawline or behind the ear, in the evening, and leave it. If the next day there is no redness, itching or swelling, you are good to go. If there is, stop. Boring advice, saves a lot of drama.

The first night, step by step

1. Cleanse with a gentle cleanser. No scrubs, no brushes.
2. Dry your face completely. Acid on damp skin can feel stronger. Wait a minute or two.
3. Apply a thin layer to the face, avoiding the eye area, the corners of the nose and the lips. More is not better.
4. Leave it on overnight. No rinsing.
5. If your skin feels dry, follow with a light hydrating layer, like the Double Hydration Boost Gel + HA.
6. In the morning, cleanse, hydrate, and wear sunscreen. Every day while you use the peel, and for a week after you stop.

How often

Start with once a week for two or three weeks. If your skin is happy, go to twice a week. That is the ceiling for this product, and for most people it is plenty. Exfoliation is like salt: the right amount transforms the dish, and more ruins it.

What not to combine on the same night

• Retinoids or retinol
• Other exfoliating acids (BHA, other AHA products, scrubs)
• Strong vitamin C serums, if your skin is sensitive
• Our Peptide Serum: not because it clashes chemically, but because peel nights should be simple. Use the serum on the other evenings.

What is normal, and what is not

Normal: a mild tingle for a minute or two, especially the first few times. Slight dryness the next day.

Not normal: burning that does not fade, redness that lasts into the next day, swelling, stinging when you apply your usual moisturiser. Rinse it off, stop using it, and let your skin calm down. If it does not, see a doctor.

Skip the peel on skin that is broken, sunburned, freshly waxed or already irritated. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or under a dermatologist’s care, ask them first.

When will you see a difference

Smoother texture: often after the first one or two uses. A brighter, more even look: over four to six weeks. Dark spots: slowly, over months, and only if you protect them from the sun. The peel does its part at night. The sunscreen does its part in the day. Neither works without the other.