While overnight peels continue to make their way to the top of skincare trends lists, the concept has actually been around for centuries. Even the famed Egyptian Queen Cleopatra used a version of an overnight peel to achieve softer, younger-looking skin. New enhanced formulas in recent years make these products a woman’s go-to beauty trick, even for sensitive skin.  

Overnight Peels Explained

Just like the rest of your body’s natural circadian rhythms, skin is subject to daily changes throughout 24-hours. At night, skin changes in exfoliation, hydration and pH so you can take advantage of this time by applying an overnight peel to gently resurface skin while you sleep.  

Overnight peels gently exfoliate the top layer of dead skin cells by loosening the binds that hold mature, dull skin cells together, making them easier to lift away. This helps to reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots while also smoothing the skin’s texture.

The Peel Revealed

The key ingredients in most overnight peels are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid or lactic acid. Glycolic acid, derived from sugar cane, is made of small molecules that penetrate deep into skin’s surface. Lactic acid, derived from sour milk, is gentler than glycolic acid and helps hydrate skin.

Overnight peels are often confused with at-home microdermabrasion treatments. Microdermabrasion treatments feature a mechanical skin-exfoliating process with the aid of an electronic device or grainy scrub. Conversely, an overnight peel’s power is in its active ingredients (AHAs) and takes little effort beyond applying to the skin.

Easy, Breezy Bedtime Beauty  

Each night, after cleansing face and neck, apply a thin, even layer of an overnight peel product. The peel already hydrates your skin so there’s no need for an additional nighttime moisturizer.

In the morning, wash your face and neck as usual and apply a moisturizer with broad spectrum protection of SPF 15 or higher. It is important to use a sunscreen while using an AHA lotion because of increased skin sensitivity to sun. Apply make-up as normal and instantly notice the smoother texture and reduced appearance of fine lines.  

Now you can sleep better knowing that your overnight peel gently resurfaces your skin, allowing you to wake up with a smoother, more luminous complexion.


Sources:
http://www.dermalinstitute.com/us/library/26_article_Glycolic_Acid_Vs_Lactic_Acid.html
http://www.surgery.org/media/news-releases/cosmetic-procedures-increase-in-2012
http://www.smartbeautyguide.com/procedures/skin-hair/chemical-peel
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/842768-overview
http://www.medicinenet.com/microdermabrasion/article.htm#what_is_microdermabrasion