During the pandemic, several of the celebrities I interviewed told me they relied on at-home peels to keep their skin in check when they couldn’t access their go-to aesthetician for regular facials. I, too, relied on at-home versions of in-office tools (LED light and microcurrent devices, especially), and I tried all of Glo Skin Beauty’s peel kits—the GlyPro AHA Resurfacing Peel Kit won our 2021 Beauty Award. The brand’s newest addition to its Peel Kit portfolio is the clarifying Beta-Clarity AHA Clarifying Peel, which I recently tried in an effort to calm down the excess oil and large pores I’ve been fighting as of late. These are my thoughts.
My Skin Type:
Combination. I’m drier in the cold-weather months and oilier in the warm-weather ones thanks to the high humidity on the East Coast.
The Benefits:
If you’re experiencing a breakout or seeing a little too much greasy shine in the mirror (not the type of glow you were hoping for), this peel is for you. However, it’s not recommended for sensitive skin—these acids are no joke—so steer clear if your skin is easily irritated. Speaking of acids, the peel contains 20-percent mandelic acid (an alphahydroxy acid), and when mixed with salicylic acid (a betahydroxy acid), the AHA-BHA combination exfoliates to remove all the gunk from your pores and all the dead skin cells and excess sebum that have built up on the surface, making your skin look oily and dull. It also contains vitamin C for a boost of brightening. It gave my skin that fresh, “your skin looks so healthy” glow and all of the blackheads on my nose disappeared. (Note: This is a Level 2 Peel according to the brand’s standards, so if you’re new to peels, I suggest starting with a Level 1 first, like the Retinol + C Smoothing Peel.)
What I love most about these kits is that they truly give you everything you need to get a professional experience at home, except someone else’s hands of course. From cleanser to cotton swaps, each step is thoughtfully included and mapped out for a seamless experience in the comfort of your own bathroom—it even comes with a spa headband to keep your hair out of your face while you peel.
Key Ingredients:
Mandelic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin C
What It’s Free From:
Parabens, phthalates, sulfates and gluten
How to Use It:
There are seven easy steps, which the brand has also demonstrated in this quick tutorial if you’re a visual learner like me. The whole process takes about 20 minutes. First, cleanse with the Purifying Gel Cleanser. Next, apply the Beta-Clarity Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant using a cotton round, and then, using another cotton round, apply the Peel Prep. Using a cotton swap, apply the Barrier Balm around your eyes to protect the delicate skin from the peel solution. Apply the Beta-Clarity AHA Clarifying Peel with the applicator and wait two to five minutes, depending on how your skin feels. Then apply the Peel Neutralizer using the gauze pads to deactivate the peel, and finish by pressing the Beta-Clarity BHA Drops into your skin.
As is the case with pretty much every professional-grade peel, experts recommend avoiding the use of retinol for a few days beforehand, and sun exposure afterward as the skin heals.
How It Feels:
My skin tingled a little bit while the peeling solution was on my skin, but I left it on for the full five minutes in hopes of achieving maximum results. My skin also turned pretty red during the peel, but it diminished quickly and there was no burning feeling at all. There can be some lingering redness depending on your skin type, so this isn’t a peel you’d want to use the afternoon before a big event that same night, or even the next day or two just to be safe. Not everyone will experience actual peeling—perhaps some mild flaking, or nothing at all—but I had a little bit over the next 48 hours, specifically around my mouth.
How It Smells:
Like most peels, there is a slightly unpleasant bitter smell, but it dissipates quickly.
The Bottom Line:
If you want to avoid making an appointment with an aesthetician for any reason at all, or you just prefer to act as your own and be comfortable in your own environment, this at-home peel is a must-try. My skin truly glowed, and the effect it had on the appearance of my pores was more than worth the two days of mild peeling. It’s a super skin reset in a box.
Price/Where to Buy:
$85, gloskinbeauty.com
