Peels don’t have to be scary. With the right guidance, they’re one of the fastest, most effective ways to refresh, smooth, and brighten your skin—no spa appointment required. 

After a summer of sun, heat, and outdoor fun, your complexion may feel tired, rough, or uneven. But, with cooler weather and reduced UV exposure, fall is the perfect time to restore balance, fade visible sun damage, and reveal your glow. 

And with expert guidance from our AOS estheticians, you can peel at home with confidence!

Modern at-home peels are gentler than ever, designed to resurface without excessive downtime or irritation. To ensure transformative results without the sting or heavy peeling of older formulas, here are a few prep guidelines.  

Before your peel:

• Cleanse gently, removing all makeup and SPF.
• Use hydrating, calming products for 2–3 days leading up to treatment.

Avoid these products for 3–5 days beforehand:

• Retinol and prescription retinoids
• Strong exfoliating acids (glycolic, lactic, salicylic)
• Harsh scrubs or microdermabrasion tools
• Self-tanner or spray tans

Choosing the right peel for your skin is where the magic happens. See our four recommendations below and find that one that suits your skin type.

iS Clinical:

• Active Peel System – A balanced formula for overall renewal and radiance.
• Extra Strength Active Peel System – Not harsher on your skin, but enhanced with additional brightening ingredients. Especially helpful for blemish-prone or uneven skin.

Sorella Apothecary:

• Vitamin C & Ferulic Peel Pads – Ideal for repairing sun damage, brightening tone, and stimulating healthy collagen.
• Mandelic & Willow Bark Peel Pads – Perfect for clearing breakouts and fading post-blemish redness or dark spots.

Once you’ve applied your peel, you can enhance its benefits by layering a booster directly on top. This extra step maximizes absorption while targeting fine lines, breakouts and dullness to drive up results.

Important: Do not introduce a booster until after your third peel treatment. This gives your skin time to adjust so you can clearly see how it responds. Once you’ve built tolerance, boosting is a powerful way to customize and amplify your results.

Here are our booster recommendations (from gentlest to strongest):

• Sorella Apothecary Resurfacing Elixir – A gentle option that restores radiance.
• iS Clinical Retinol Emulsion 0.3% – Smooths fine lines, firms, and brightens.
• Rhonda Allison Salicylic "A" Serum – Refines pores and clarifies breakout-prone skin.

Pro tips:

• Stick with one booster per peel night. Begin with the gentlest option, then progress to stronger choices only if your skin is ready.
• If boosting stimulates visible flaking, pause your peels until the flaking subsides. Resume with just the peel (no booster). Optimally, we aim for one effective flake session per cycle —not continuous peeling.

Your non-peel nights are all about healing, hydrating, and strengthening your skin barrier. This recovery phase helps your glow last longer and keeps skin balanced between treatments.

Choose one recovery product or layer products depending on your needs:

• ( plated )™ INTENSE Serum – Supports collagen and elastin renewal.
• Epicutis Lipid Serum – Deep barrier repair and hydration.
• Dr. esthé Anti-Mela Toning Cream – Perfect for post-peel, this cream targets uneven tone and pigmentation.
• GlyMed Plus Comfort Cream – Comforts sensitive or reactive skin.

Think of these nights as “skin reset” time. No scrubs, no strong acids, just nourishment. That way your next peel night is even more effective.

Here's how we lock in results and keep skin healthy:

• Apply broad-spectrum SPF daily (no exceptions).
• Avoid scrubs, strong acids, or tanning until your skin has fully recovered.
• Repeat your peel every 2–4 weeks for ongoing results.

With the right steps and support, there’s nothing scary about a peel. Get ready for your best, refreshed post-summer skin yet!

Watch Jeana’s Peel Masterclass and learn everything you need to know—from preparation to post-care—for safe, effective, and radiant results.

Not sure which peel is right for your skin? Take our free online skincare checkup and connect directly with an AOS Esthetician for personalized guidance.