How to Care for Skin After a Peel

Keep it simple with gentle cleansing, heavy moisturizing, and religious SPF application while your skin rebuilds.

1. Cleanse gently. Use a cream cleanser or micellar water for the first week. Your skin barrier is compromised and needs the mildest possible treatment. Skip any actives, exfoliants, or scrubs completely.
2. Moisturize heavily. Layer a hydrating serum under a thick, occlusive moisturizer twice daily. Look for ceramides, hyaluronic acid, or simple petrolatum-based formulas. Your skin needs to rebuild and retain moisture.
3. Apply SPF religiously. Use SPF 30 minimum every single day, even indoors. Post-peel skin is extremely photosensitive and will hyperpigment at the slightest UV exposure. Reapply every two hours if you're outside.
4. Don't pick or force peeling. Let dead skin slough off naturally even if it looks unsightly. Picking creates micro-tears that lead to scarring and infection. Keep hands busy with other tasks.