Radiant Skin, Revealed with Facial Peels

Winter can be tough on our delicate skin. Especially winters, like the one we just had. And now spring is here. We’re all feeling the itch—not only to be out and about but to look and feel radiant, too. But how?

Facial peels can work wonders, transforming dull, dry winter skin to a healthy spring glow.

Time to spring face-forward

For the last four months, we cycled from hiding indoors from the dry, frigid air to soaking up the sun on beautiful 60-degree days, and back. And we see and feel it in our skin most of all.

Like many, you may have layered on more moisturizer, more hydrating serums, and wondered why they weren’t doing the trick. The reason? That excess product builds up, as do your dead skin cells. And, together, they create a barrier that prevents your hydrating products from doing their work.

Peels wipe all of that away with a deeper form of exfoliation that doesn’t work at the surface of the skin but rather in the skin. They can also smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, plump your skin, and deliver deeper hydration.

But not everyone is comfortable diving right in. And that’s okay.

One guest’s skincare journey

I’ve been working with a guest for six months, and the path to her desired result is pretty common.

She booked a 45-minute Signature Facial for her first appointment, and she looked lovely. She was using all the right products and caring for her skin correctly at home, too. But she wanted to achieve more dramatic results.

At her second appointment, we added a performance treatment, and her skin soaked up the peel beautifully. She had a wonderful glow. She also wanted more. So, we added a dermaplane exfoliation at her third appointment, as well—and arrived at the vibrant, healthy skin she was hoping for. She’s also finding that her home skincare routine is easier, and her products are working better, too.

For so many guests just like her, it’s simply a matter of building trust in the process—and with the esthetician.

So, what is a facial peel exactly, you may be wondering?

We mix a lactic acid or a mandelic acid with a corrector. The result is a sticky product that feels almost like a serum, and we massage it into your skin. Because the molecules that make up a peel are a lot smaller than traditional facial products, we’re able to work deeper, removing more of the dead skin and impurities that get in the way of your beautiful, healthy skin below.

The best facial peels for addressing dry winter skin

I really like our Hydrate and Firm peel and Refine and Hydrate peel when it comes to addressing guests’ concerns related to cold, dry air.

The Hydrate and Firm is a deep exfoliation that brings up that dead skin, while also hydrating and tightening. The Refine and Hydrate, meanwhile, offers a more gentle exfoliation that’s great for everybody, especially those with sensitive skin.

Everyone’s skin will react differently to the peels, of course. Some may get a little flaky in five to seven days with the Hydrate and Firm peel, or a little pink, especially around the cheeks. Some don’t peel at all. And there’s very little to no downtime with the Refine and Hydrate treatment.

Either way, you’re left with beautiful results.

Your spa experience

The treatment itself only takes 10 minutes. To begin, your esthetician will massage the facial peel into your skin. For some, it may feel a little tingly or a little spicy but the results are worth it.

The rest of your 60-90 minute appointment, you’re still getting that wonderful massage, all the beautiful aromas—you’ll still be able to fully relax.

Maintaining your beautiful, healthy skin

If I could offer one piece of advice, it’s this: Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. It’s the key to healthy skin.

That, and wearing your SPF to protect against sun damage.

It’s also important to cleanse and moisturize your skin daily. I recommend Ultraceuticals B2 Hydrating Serum, B2 Recovery Cream, and a moisturizer, like the Ultra Rich product—but any quality hydration product you have at home will work fine. Just be sure that you avoid any skincare products with harsh correctors, like retinol or vitamin C, for five to seven days following your facial peel.

Lastly, commit to regular peel services if you can. (I suggest every four to eight weeks to my guests.) But if you can’t do it on a routine basis, that’s okay. You’ll still see beautiful benefits when you address the winter buildup that gets in the way of your glow.

So, here we are. Spring has arrived, the sun is shining—and so can you.