The Best Moisturizer After a Chemical Peel?! I’ve Got 10!
Are you looking for the best moisturizer after a chemical peel? I’ve got you!
In this article, I have curated a list of the top 10 best moisturizers to use after a chemical peel, all with skin-loving ingredients to help replenish and heal your skin!
Along with my top moisturizer picks, I will give you the 411 about chemical peels, including the main benefits of a chemical peel, what you can expect after having a chemical peel, and how to care for your skin after a chemical peel.
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What is a Chemical Peel?
They are facial treatments that use chemicals (commonly-used ingredients include salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or trichloroacetic acid) to peel superficial layers of the skin, revealing healthier skin.
The Most Common Benefits of a Chemical Peel
- Chemical peels can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines for smoother skin.
- Brighter skin! It can lighten dark spots, age spots, and other types of hyperpigmentation.
- Treats uneven skin texture by removing dead skin cells that dull the skin.
- Treat sun damage (dark spots and hyperpigmentation)
- Great for Acne-prone skin. Prevent breakouts and help to treat existing acne scars.
- Chemical peels can help reduce the appearance of large pores
- Deep Peels can treat deep wrinkles and scars
Now that you understand the benefits of a chemical peel let’s take a look at the different types of chemical peels.
Related Article: The Benefits of a Chemical Peel
What are the different types of chemical peels?
There are many different types of chemical peels.
Chemical peels can be classified into three categories: light, medium, and deep.
Light Chemical Peels
Light peels use mild acids to exfoliate the top layers of the skin. Light peels can be done at home or during a professional facial.
There are several great at-home peel products available today. Most light peels use salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acids.
Shop Light, At Home Chemical Peels
Medium-Deep Peels
Both medium peels and deep peels use stronger acids that penetrate deeper, giving more dramatic results.
Deeper peels are done in a med spa, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon’s office. Because deep chemical peels are more aggressive, the recovery time is longer.
The Different Types of Chemical Peels
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid. It’s well-known for reducing acne by exfoliating the skin and keeping pores clear.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is derived from sugar cane and has the smallest molecular size of all alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). It penetrates the skin quickly to exfoliate and improve texture.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is a natural exfoliant that helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. It also helps to hydrate the skin and even out skin tone.
TCA ( (trichloroacetic acid)
TCA (trichloroacetic acid) is a deeper peeling agent often used for treating melasma and eliminating sun damage, deep wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
Phenol
Phenol is a very strong peeling agent used to treat deep wrinkles and sun-damaged skin.
Most Common Side Effects of a Chemical Peel
Side effects of a chemical vary depending on the depth of the peel.
For Light chemical peels, the most commonly anticipated side effects from a chemical peel are a temporary stinging or burning sensation, mild irritation or redness that usually subsides quickly, and peeling and redness can last for several days.
Medium to deep chemical peels come with greater side effects as well as longer recovery times.
Side effects from medium to deep peels include throbbing, stinging, burning, redness, skin irritation, and deep skin peeling that can last two weeks or longer.
Healing and Recovery After a Chemical peel
It usually takes 7-10 days to completely heal after a chemical peel (give or take depending on the type of chemical peel you’ve had)
The healing process will depend on the strength of the peel and your skin type.
During this time, it is important to follow an after-care skin-care routine to help the healing process.
Post Chemical Peel Care
After a chemical peel, you should keep your skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays, cleanse the skin with a gentle cleanser, and hydrate well using a good quality moisturizer full of skin-loving ingredients.
Cleanse Gently
Your skin may be fragile for 5-7 days. Choose a gentle cleanser that won’t strip your skin of moisture. Remember to avoid hot showers and rinse your face using lukewarm water.
Wear Sun Protection
Sun exposure can cause inflammation of the skin after a chemical peel.
Always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher and avoid direct sun exposure for the first week after your chemical peel.
Keep Skin Hydrated
Apply a good quality hydrating moisturizer to help replace lost moisture from the skin post-procedure. The best moisturizer after a chemical peel should be emollient and contain skin-smoothing ingredients to promote healing.
You should reapply moisturizer as often as needed.
Now, let’s take a look at the 10 best moisturizers after a chemical peel treatment!
The Best Moisturizer after a Chemical Peel
The best moisturizer after a chemical peel should contain key ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, aloe vera, glycerin, and vitamin E.
These ingredients help to replace lost moisture and provide long-lasting moisture to the skin as it heals.
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
CeraVe Moisturizing cream is the best moisturizer after a chemical peel!
It is non-comedogenic and has a rich texture, leaving skin feeling smooth and hydrated.
It’s Formulated with hyaluronic Acid which helps to retain the skin’s natural moisture, ceramides to help restore & maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier, and MVE Technology to provide long-lasting continuous hydration!
And it comes in this great large size which makes it affordable too!
Also Available Online: Target, Ulta Beauty and Walmart.com
Eau Thermale Avene XeraCalm A.D
Formulated with ingredients essential to rehydrating and maintaining a healthy balance of the skin.
It’s designed for people with extra dry skin and eczema, making it an ideal moisturizer after a chemical peel.
It’s a 100% sterile formula enriched with thermal spring water and glycerin, both soothing to the skin.
It doesn’t contain any fragrance, parabens, or preservatives, and comes is approved by The National Eczema Association.
Also Available Online at Ulta Beauty
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
This face cream is highly rated for post-procedure moisture.
It’s formulated with ceramides, prebiotic thermal water, niacinamide, and glycerin to restore the skin’s protective barrier.
This Oil-free and fragrance-free moisturizer helps hydrate and restore healthy-looking skin for up to 48-hrs and will not clog pores.
Also Available Online: Ulta Beauty, Target, and Walmart.com
belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb
belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb is an ideal choice for aftercare following a chemical peel.
Its lightweight, oil-free formula helps to provide intense hydration without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. Its combination of hydrating ingredients helps to soothe and nourish the skin while locking in moisture.
It is also free of synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, and parabens, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Also Available Online: Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Kohl’s
SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream
SkinMedica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream is a luxurious cream that helps to restore the skin’s protective barrier, promote long-lasting hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
It contains powerful ingredients such as ceramides, peptides, antioxidants, and niacinamide to help nourish the skin while protecting against environmental irritants.
This cream provides an intense moisturizing effect to help restore natural skin health and regain a youthful complexion.
It is suitable for all skin types and can be used both day and night for optimal results.
Also Available Online: Dermstore.com, Zulily, and LovelySkin.com
EltaMD Intense Face and Body Moisturizer
EltaMD Intense Moisturizer absorbs deeply to moisturize and soothe inflamed, irritated, flaky, intact post-procedure
This face and body moisturizer is perfect after a chemical peel and is ultra-safe for even extremely sensitive skin.
It is free of fragrance, parabens, and preservatives and is dermatologist recommended.
Glytone Soothing Lipid Recovery Cream
With its rich emollient formula, Soothing Lipid Recovery Cream profoundly replenishes the skin.
This post-procedural formula replaces the skin’s natural protective lipid barrier after aesthetic treatments such as chemical peels and laser treatments.
Siberian camelina oil provides high levels of omega-3 fatty acids to repair epidermal cells, improve elasticity and soothe sensitive skin.
Vitamin A, sodium hyaluronate, shea butter, and vegetable squalane restore hydration and promote moisture retention.
Fragrance-free; Non-comedogenic
Also Available Online: Dermstore.com, and LovelySkin.com
More Noteworthy Post Chemical Peel Moisturizers
Paula’s Choice SKIN RECOVERY Replenishing Facial Moisturizer
This moisturizer is full of antioxidants and is super emollient. Calms, repairs & replenishes skin prone to redness and rosacea, and it is a perfect moisturizer after a chemical peel.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Moisturizer
Moisturizing gel cream absorbs quickly, like a gel, but has the long-lasting, intense moisturizing power of cream for even extra dry skin.
Does a great job restoring the moisture lost from a chemical peel.
Mustela Stelatopia Eczema-Prone Skin Emollient Baby Face Cream
Gentle emollient cream for baby’s face instantly relieves itching, discomfort, and redness. It can also be applied to eyelids. Recognized by the National Eczema Association.
Steroid-free. Not just for babies! It works wonders on dehydrated skin!
CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
Formulated with biomimetic peptides, hyaluronic acid, and three essential ceramides that work together to lock in skin moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier.
It’s very emollient and works wonderfully after a sunburn, chemical peel, or laser treatment.
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Conclusion: The Best Moisturizer after a Chemical Peel
Chemical peels can be a great way to rejuvenate and renew your skin. After having a chemical peel, taking good care of your skin is essential.
Always wear sunscreen, use a gentle cleanser, and regularly keep the skin hydrated using a good quality moisturizer.
Finding the best moisturizer after a chemical peel will help replenish any moisture lost during the peel and provide additional nourishment for your skin to help it heal.
Have you recently had a chemical peel, or are you considering getting one? Let me know in the comments below!
Thanks for reading!
XO, Christine
I’ve been keeping it real since 1963. 🙂
I’m a child of God, a wifey, mama, grandma, full-time creative, domestic engineer, and self-care enthusiast.
I am obsessed with all things makeup and skincare and love getting my hands dirty out in the garden, my art room, or in the kitchen, whipping up something yummy for the fam.
I’m always down to chat and love collaborating with other creatives and brands alike!
Feel free to reach out anytime!
