When it comes to professional beauty services during the pandemic, I feel as if it’s just me, myself, and I; and based on what consumers are buying during the pandemic, I know that I’m not the only one. Consumers are buying more DIY beauty products and tools to replicate the beauty services that have been less accessible during this national crisis. 

Glo Skin Beauty sent me a sample of their Retinol + C Smoothing Peel in a Box, which they say, “offers the results of a professional peel service from the comfort of your home.” Developed for in-between appointments, or like in my case, someone who is trying this type of professional service for the first time, it seems like a potential solution for maintaining your skincare regimen during the pandemic. Expected results? Brighter, clearer, and smoother skin! 

The Retinol + C Smoothing Peel in a Box contains several varieties of essential skincare samples: the Gentle Cream Cleanser, Glycolic Resurfacing Cleanser, Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant, Renew Serum, Barrier Balm, and Retinol + C Peel Boost. Additionally, the box also contains other necessary tools such as gauze pads, a mask cup, tissue, cotton swabs, and a mask brush. There are many notable ingredients that are included in these products: retinol, which is in the Renew Serum and Retinol + C Peel Boost to promote cell turnover; hydroxy acids in the Glycolic Resurfacing Cleanser, Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant, and Renew Serum to exfoliate and visibly brighten as well as smooth and clarify the skin. Some other ingredients include niacinamide, which is in the Pro 5 Liquid Exfoliant; Barrier Balm to calm, clarify and brighten the skin; witch hazel in the Renew Serum to serve as both an antioxidant and astringent to soothe and heal the skin; and Vitamin C in the Retinol + C Peel Boost to provide antioxidant protection. 

I have to be honest; this was my first chemical peel ever, not just at home, but period! So initially, I was a bit hesitant to apply a chemical to my face without a professional; I worried about burning, scarring, and anything else that could possibly go wrong. If you’ve never had a chemical peel, you might have the same concerns, but when dealing with the application of chemical acids to your delicate skin, there are definitely levels to the process to be very aware of. Specifically, in terms of intensity, these range from light, superficial/medium, and deep peels based on the depth of penetration into the top layers of your skin. With deep peels, it’s highly recommended that you consult with a professional prior to the application, as the deeper the peel the more aggressive and intense the peel will be on your skin. Deeper peels will also have longer recovery times.   

While I was nervous, with this being my very first chemical peel, I found the instructions provided in the box to be clear and user friendly; it was easy to follow given that it was broken down into just 6 steps. However, other than stating that the Gentle Cream Cleanser should be used the next morning, and recommending the Renew Serum be applied  3 to 5 nights per week to enhance the peel results, there were no follow up instructions or recommendations on aftercare or how you should protect your skin. This would have been extremely helpful for a newbie to chemical acid skin procedures, like myself.

It also would have been nice to have some indication on what changes or possible reactions one should expect to see in their skin over the next few days, potentially alleviating any fears of the unknown. However, everyone's skin is different and will not always respond to certain products the same way; the results for each person will greatly vary based on their skin type and condition. For example, someone who regularly receives chemical peels, may not have as much peeling as someone who does not. 

For me, it took about 3 days before my skin really began to peel. The peeling was very mild and was concentrated in certain areas of my face. Additionally, I experienced what is described as purging. It started with an excess amount of sebum production on my forehead the very next day, which was followed by a few pimples in some of my regular problem areas a couple of days later. This can be a common experience with chemical peels; again, it will vary from person to person. Overall, while I did not enjoy the purging experience, the peel itself was easy to apply. I did not experience any burning or tingling at any point, and I wouldn’t be opposed to trying another chemical peel in the near future.