I Gave Myself An All-Over Body Chemical Peel At Home And Here Are My Thoughts
Let’s face it: body scrubs can either be a painful disappointment or a total mess in the shower. Some of the ingredients in these physical exfoliants can create the adverse effect of causing micro tears on your precious skin, or as in the case of microbeads, are serious environmental pollutants. Not to mention, there’s a higher chance of getting a little too overzealous with manual scrubbing, too.
Which is why I got excited when this product landed in my hands. Dr Dennis Gross, known and beloved for their at-home chemical facial peels (I’m an ardent fan), has expanded their line by launching their first ever body product: the Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment. Yes, a chemical peel for your entire body, without all that fuss of manually sloughing away dead skin cells.
Sure, chemical peels may get a bad rep, some still embedded in our cultural imaginations today (picture Samantha’s chemical peel in SATC, which left her with a disastrously splotchy, red face), but they remain one of the most effective skin solutions out there, beloved by dermatologists across the globe.
And why the need for a separate peel for the body? The skin on our body is wholly different from the skin on our face. It comes with a whole set of skin issues, and is usually drier and thicker (If you need further proof, just check out that rough patch of skin on your elbows).
And who can resist the lure of its effects: it reduces breakouts, spots, red marks, uneven skin tone, firms body skin, and is an overall more effective and gentler on the skin compared to physical exfoliants. And I can attest: my skin changed for the better after being introduced to the world of chemical exfoliants, so I was excited to give this body treatment a go.
First, the basics... This is a purported full body facial - a body ‘towel’ that comes in a cocktail of chemical exfoliants: Alpha Beta acids (AHAs and BHAs), enzymes and bakuchiol to instantly polish and visibility firm skin. It's got just the right amount of dosage to lift away the outer layer of dead skin, while keeping skin hydrated, thanks to antioxidant-rich squalene, improving the appearance of ingrown hairs.
Another key ingredient, lactic acid, helps to loosen the bonds between the cells in your skin’s topmost layer, which also helps to better absorb moisture, compared to just applying moisturiser alone.
Here's how it went down... It's a brush on and go, as simple as that. There's no need for rinse off, and you can simply apply your body cream of choice after. I found it especially useful after shower, when skin is clean and primed for a wipe down. After opening the satchet, I unfolded the towel onto my skin, moving in upward, circular motions. As the face of the towel dried, I unfolded it and moved onto other body areas, until the entire sheet was completely dry.
My skin felt slightly tingly to touch, but apart from that - no redness or stinging, making it an ideal mild exfoliant. Although, I'd be mindful of staying away from open wounds or cuts or after shaving, when skin is especially sensitive.
And the results...
First off, my skin tends towards the dry, dull side, and I don't have a regular body exfoliation routine in place, perhaps a sugar scrub once every one or two weeks.
So my first thought after first use was that my skin felt immediately cleaner and tighter. Following the recommended usage of using the pads up to three times a week, within two weeks, I definitely noticed my skin felt much softer and smoother to touch. The effects were much more noticeable compared to my sugar scrub, too.
Plus, given the blend of exfoliants, it makes it perfect for any kind of skin concern, from dryness to breakouts. I'd say, it makes for a great product to reach out to for some pretty decent exfoliation, without any aggressive scrubbing.
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta® Exfoliating Body Treatment (S$90) can be found exclusively online at Sephora’s e-store.
