11 Best Esthetician-Approved Chemical Peels For Wrinkles (2024)

Wrinkles are no longer a skin woe that only the elderly must worry about. Thanks to pollution, poor lifestyle, and health choices, even women entering their 30s easily witness wrinkles and fine lines making their first appearance. Thankfully, beauty and skincare brands are well aware that premature skin aging is one of the major skin problems in today’s day and age. And so, they bring us the best solution for wrinkles and fine lines— chemical peels. They can also address other skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, active acne breakouts, melasma, and uneven skin tone. When you pick the best chemical peel for wrinkles trusted by experts in dermatology, you’ll notice the fine lines and wrinkles slowly fading and disappearing while your face looks younger.

There is a whole range of acids used in chemical peels for wrinkles, and we’re here with a list of the best ones that are ideal for wrinkles and fine lines. Below is a list of the 11 best chemical peels for wrinkles and fine lines that will easily take care of your skin concerns and help you reclaim younger-looking skin. But before that, let’s take a look at what exactly a chemical peel does to wrinkles.

What Does A Chemical Peel Do For Wrinkles?

Chemical peels formulated for wrinkles generally have glycolic acid in varying concentrations. Glycolic acid helps eliminate or fade wrinkles by penetrating the skin and promoting the natural collagen production process of the skin. The peeling process also removes the dead skin cells and transforms the skin to be more elastic, firmer, and tighter. When your skin becomes elastic and firm, it prevents the formation of wrinkles and fine lines and supports improved skin cells’ renewal, thus slowing down the aging process of the skin.

11 Best Chemical Peels For Fine Lines You Can Use At Home – Our Top Picks

Best Multipurpose:Divine Derriere Alpha Hydroxy Acid Skin Rejuvenation Therapy

4

Image: Divine Derriere

BUY ON AMAZON | $16.99

Glycolic acid is known to be one of the best ingredients to tackle wrinkles as it helps increase cell regeneration while stimulating collagen production as well. The Alpha Hydroxy Acid Skin Rejuvenation Therapy by Divine Derriere is blessed with a 40% glycolic acid solution to deliver impressive anti-aging benefits. It also has proven efficacy in improving the skin texture and tone while reducing the appearance of pores. With that, the glycolic acid in it also provides deep exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells. Also working on brown spots, remediating hyperpigmentation and scars from acne, this is one of the strongest chemical peels with not one but multiple benefits to offer. Have a look at the tester’s experience in this video to learn more about the product.

Pro Tip

Stay out of the sun during the healing period. The peeling away of the top layer of the skin can make it more susceptible to sun damage.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has received over 4,736 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.

Best For Acne Scars:Derma-E Essentials Overnight Peel

4.3

Image: Derma-e

BUY ON AMAZON | $15.32

We all love some glycolic acid when we’re on the prowl for the most effective chemical peel. But you know what can give a product with just glycolic acid a run for its money? This one from Derma-E has lactic acid and vitamin C as active ingredients in addition to glycolic acid. With these amazing ingredients along with passion fruit extract, green tea leaf extract, lemon fruit extract, etc., this chemical peel for wrinkles and dark spots brightens the skin and retexturizes while the AHAs exfoliate the skin and get rid of dead skin cells with a non-abrasive blend. What makes this the best chemical peel for acne scars and wrinkles is that the vitamin C in it helps with adding firmness and elasticity to the skin and protects it from UV ray-damage. Here is an informative video on the tester’s experience that tells you more about the product.

Pro Tip

While applying the chemical peel, use vaseline to cover the sensitive areas like the nose, eye socket, and lips. Keep cold water or an antioxidant toner near by to neutralize the peel if excessive irritation occurs.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The extensive 2,431 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.

Best For All Skin Types:Perfect Image Store Glycolic 30% Gel Peel

4.3

Image: Perfect Image

BUY ON AMAZON | $29.95

Formulated with 30% glycolic acid that is thought to be ideal for aging skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, this one from Perfect Image is loaded with numerous other skin-loving ingredients such as chamomile flower extract, green tea leaf extract, comfrey leaf extract that penetrate deep into your skin to nourish it and smooth deep forehead wrinkles. It has a faint yet refreshing fragrance of cucumber derived from cucumber extracts that is refreshing to the olfactory senses It is suitable for all skin types as the formula is made to hydrate the skin while also offering exfoliation. Enhanced with retinol, this chemical peel for aging skin can also improve the natural radiance of your skin for that lit-from-within glow! For more information about the product, check out the tester’s experience in this video.

StyleCraze Says

Always patch-test the product on the inner wrist or arm and wait 48-96 hours to check for any reaction.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has more than 1,798 reviews claiming its efficacy.

	Divine Derriere Alpha Hydroxy Acid Skin Rejuvenation Therapy Best Multipurpose	Derma-E Essentials Overnight Peel Best For Acne Scars	Perfect Image Store Glycolic 30% Gel Peel Best For All Skin Types
	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Skin Type	Oily, glycolic acid, Combination, glycolic acid skin chemical peel anti aging, facial pore anti wrinkle antiaging See more	Acne Prone	All
Dimensions	-	-	1.57 x 5.12 x 1.97 inches
Weight	-	-	6.08 Ounces
Rating
Reviews	4,736	2,431	1,798
Price	$16.99	$15.32	$29.95

Best For Scars:QRxLabs Lactic Acid 50% Gel Peel

4.1

Image: Qrxlabs

BUY ON AMAZON | $19.95

Banishing wrinkles and combating photoaged skin can’t get any easier. This chemical peel for deep wrinkles that is composed of 50% lactic acid, kojic acid, licorice root extract, bearberry extract, and green tea extract works wonders. Not only does lactic acid target and reduce wrinkles and fine lines, but it also works wonders on freckles, age spots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation while also improving the skin tone. All thanks to the many skin-nourishing ingredients that the brand has incorporated. Made to have the consistency of an actual gel, this light chemical peel for wrinkles does not trickle down your face when you apply it. Say yes to this chemical peel for acne and wrinkles and get ready to have your younger years back.

Best Fragrance-Free:Ebanel's 30% AHA 2% BHA Chemical Gel Peel

4.2

Image: Ebanel

BUY ON AMAZON | $21.99

The Ebanel’s 30% AHA 2% BHA Chemical Peel combines glycolic acid, lactic acid, and mandelic acid to eliminate dead skin cells, lighten scars and discolorations, and slow the onset of wrinkles. This product is packed with skin-brightening vitamin C, inflammation-calming green tea and chamomile, and radiance-restoring hyaluronic acid. Lactic acid also exfoliates and produces firmer skin, while glycolic acid exfoliates and helps boost skin cell turnover. Green tea and chamomile are potent antioxidants that soothe inflamed skin, while salicylic acid exfoliates, unclogs, and cleanses pores and decreases acne-causing germs. Many reviewers say that this facial peel helps stimulate collagen synthesis, speeds up the skin’s natural cell turnover, and promotes skin resurfacing, giving a healthy glow with regular usage.

Best Gentle Formula:Skin Beauty Solutions Glycolic Acid Skin Peel

4.2

BUY ON AMAZON | $26

Made from naturally occurring fruit sugar acid, that is, alpha hydroxy acid, this chemical face peel for wrinkles works gently by getting rid of the outermost, damaged skin and dead skin cells, while also stimulating healthy cell regeneration and collagen production. When collagen is produced, it helps combat wrinkles and reduce fine lines. This product is great for under-eye wrinkles and fine lines as it moisturizes your face and reduces dryness and flakiness. It is free of overwhelming artificial scents and with consistent use, you will witness firmer and thicker skin that is no longer prone to developing premature wrinkles. Some of the reviewers claim to have seen visible results within a day.

Best For Sensitive Skin:Botanic Tree 20% Glycolic Acid Pads

4.1

BUY ON AMAZON | $23.9

Loaded with oh-so-healthy ingredients such as cucumber extract, green tea extract, and chamomile extract, this product is the best chemical peel for deep wrinkles with the active ingredient glycolic acid. With a strength of 20%, this chemical peel for fine lines and wrinkles comes in the form of acid pads, making it extremely easy to use especially when you’re on the go. A lot of reviews mention that this is a no-mess solution to wrinkles and aging signs. These resurfacing pads help exfoliate while restoring the glow and smooth texture of your mature skin to give you a youthful appearance. They are also a great alternative for beauties with sensitive skin. Use them on a regular basis and get ready to see your skin look smoother and beautifully dewy!

Best For Acne-Prone Skin:Dermalure Jessner 14% Acid Peel Solution

4.2

BUY ON AMAZON | $34.95

If you’re on the lookout for medical chemical peel for wrinkles, this one from Dermalure is not the one to disappoint. It is a blend of medical-grade salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol in 14% strength that reduces wrinkles and fine lines, cleans clogged pores, and remediates seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, and sun-damaged skin. This solution is also hailed as the best type of chemical peel for wrinkles as it promotes collagen and elastin production to promote skin rejuvenation for young and healthy-looking skin. However, this solution is best recommended for those with lighter skin tones.

Best Paraben-Free:Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel

4.4

Image: Dr. Dennis Gross

BUY ON AMAZON | $20

The Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel is a two-step daily procedure that provides therapeutic results at home in a quick and easy manner. The scientifically formulated solution is a potent combination of five AHAs and BHAs, as well as antioxidants and vitamins that work together to exfoliate dead skin while also removing excess oil and impurities from the face and correcting uneven skin tone and texture. AHAs assist in speedy cell turnover, which removes surface dullness and promotes healthy, bright skin. They also exfoliate efficiently, which helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid hydrates and plumps, while green tea extract soothes the skin while providing antioxidant protection. This dermatologist-tested peel helps create an instant radiant appearance. It also helps the other anti-aging skincare products soak more quickly, making your makeup smoother. Many reviewers say that these peels are a game changer and make the skin refreshed and glowing.

Best For Hyperpigmentation:Medpeel Professional Strength Glycolic 30% Light Strength Peel

3.8

BUY ON AMAZON | $26

If your primary skin conditions are fine lines, age spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone, we recommend one of the best at-home chemical peels for deep wrinkles from Medpeel which contains glycolic acid in 30% concentration. It exfoliates the outermost layer of the skin and penetrates deeper to stimulate collagen production which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. In addition to that, this chemical peel is also effective in eliminating blackheads, sun damage, clogged pores, and it does so to give you tighter, firmer skin with a lifted appearance. The clinically-proven formula helps give you clean and clear skin that looks and feels healthy along with a balanced skin tone and softer and radiant skin. However, doing a patch test before 3 days of actual application is recommended to avoid skin sensitivity.

Best Cruelty-Free:Planet Eden Youthful Glow 50% Glycolic Acid Skin Peel

BUY ON AMAZON | $0

A combination of glycolic acid in 50% concentration along with pH balancing distilled water is here to address your skin woes from wrinkles to dullness. This chemical peel for aging skin gently yet deeply exfoliates the skin while getting rid of bumps and lumps, mild blemishes, while also tightening the skin. The high concentration of glycolic acid also helps in increasing cell turnover. Using this dermatologist-tested chemical peel for wrinkles on a daily basis can also help in fading away acne spots, scars, dark spots, red stretch marks, and the consequences of sun damage. So, invest in this must-have chemical peel if you need an overall good-for-skin kind of product.

We are sure that our list of the 11 best chemical peels for wrinkles will help you get a step closer to understanding what’s the best product as per your requirements. However, when choosing an at-home chemical peel, you must be all the more cautious and take certain factors into consideration so that you pick one that delivers the benefits that you expect. With that said, here’s a comprehensive buying guide on what to keep in mind when investing in a chemical peel for wrinkles.

How To Choose The Right Chemical Peel For Wrinkles?

• Acid concentration

You’ll easily find chemical peels for wrinkles that range in concentration from 10% to 70%. However, not all chemical peels of varying concentrations are made equally. A light or superficial peel uses 20% to 30% of acid, most commonly glycolic acid. And this kind is left on the skin for a couple of minutes before washing it away. A chemical peel with 40% to 50% concentration is used when you deal with hyperpigmentation so that the acid penetrates fairly deep to tackle the root cause of the hyperpigmentation.

However, when you need your chemical peel to address deeper wrinkles and fine lines, you can opt for a 55% to 70% concentrated acid peel. This type of peel also acts on acne scars and eliminates skin discoloration. However, this may not be the best solution for those with sensitive skin.

“Always remember to start off with a lower percentage of acid and then gradually move higher as your skin build tolerance,” reminds Raisa Zarin, a Licensed Esthetician

• Skin type

Chemical deep peels are generally drying in nature, and this is because they are made with strong and potent acids such as AHAs, glycolic and salicylic acid, among others. If you already have dry skin, it would be a good idea to either invest in one that has additional ingredients such as jojoba oil, vitamin E, shea butter, etc. that help provide a certain amount of hydration to your skin. However, for those with combination or oily skin, a chemical peel for wrinkles and fine lines that is solely made from acid will do the trick.

• Active ingredients

The most common active ingredients used in chemical peels are salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid that is popular for remediating acne-related issues. Glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid, is known for exfoliating the skin and getting rid of dead skin cells to eliminate and prevent wrinkles and fine lines from forming. A TCA peel works as a chemical exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells and clogged dirt. It is also effective against age spots, acne scars, sun damage, melasma, and hyperpigmentation.

Lactic acid, also an AHA, brightens the skin. However, when compared to glycolic acid, it does not penetrate as deep into the skin. When buying a chemical peel for wrinkles and fine lines, one with glycolic acid will work best. However, a combination of these acids as active ingredients will help tackle several skin-related issues.

• Dermatologist tested

Since chemical peels incorporate acids to tackle wrinkles, fine lines, and exfoliate, it is crucial for you to ensure that it does not irritate your skin. And for this reason, you should go for a chemical peel that has passed dermatologist tests and is proven to be safe to use on the skin.

Infographic: Chemical Peels For Wrinkles: Types And Buying Guide

Chemical peels can help if you wish to have clear, rejuvenated, healthy skin. However, not all peels will suit your skin type and serve its requirements. The infographic below discusses the three types of peels and their skin benefits. In addition, it also discusses the peels that suit different skin types and their specific function. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

The Bottom Line

Why Trust Stylecraze

Kirtana Divakar, the author, is a makeup and beauty enthusiast who believes that when it comes to skincare, you deserve nothing but the best. She has spent hours going through several health and beauty forums and reviewing all valued customer feedback before curating this list of the best chemical peels for wrinkles and fine lines. These not only help reduce these evident signs of aging but also help nourish and strengthen your natural skin barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do chemical peels really work for wrinkles?

Chemical peels do work for wrinkles and fine lines, especially when they contain glycolic acid. However, you need to be patient as it always takes time for any skincare product to eliminate or reduce wrinkles and fine lines. This happens by promoting natural collagen production.

What is better for wrinkles- microdermabrasion or chemical peels?

Microdermabrasion is more suited for those with rough skin that results from sun damage. If you have deep wrinkles and fine lines, it is best to take a chemical solution for your skin issue such as a medium or deep chemical peel, as it penetrates deep into the skin and promotes collagen production while improving overall skin cell turnover.

Will chemical peel help with under-eye wrinkles?

Chemical peels that have medium to high concentrations of glycolic acid can help remediate under-eye wrinkles.

What are the benefits of at-home chemical peels?

At-home chemical peels will exfoliate your skin, help reduce hyperpigmentation, and help in rejuvenating your skin by unclogging your pores.

How often should you use an at-home chemical peel?

You can use at-home chemical peel every once or twice a week. If the formula is highly concentrated, once a month will also do the trick.

Are chemical peels good for deep wrinkles?

Yes, chemical peels such as retinol peels work well at deep wrinkles.

What is a Jessner’s peel?

It is a type of chemical peel that breaks down the surface layer of the skin making it slough off, revealing healthier skin from underneath.

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Raisa ZarinLicensed Esthetician

   

Raisa's passion for skin care and makeup began at a young age, inspired by her mother's experimentation with different products. While pursuing a degree in Forensic Psychology in college, she realized her true calling and decided to change course during the pandemic. After graduating, Raisa enrolled in an esthetics program where she fell in love with the curriculum and worked...more

Kirtana DivakarCommerce Writer

 

Kirtana has a postgraduate degree in mass communication and journalism from St. Joseph’s College, Bengaluru, and 3 years of professional experience. She developed a deep passion for writing after reading the brilliant works of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl and has chosen a career that is driven by creativity. She believes in communicating effectively with a personal touch and writes...more

Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content. She loves reviewing skin care and hair care products and constantly endeavors to provide...more

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach. Her interest in staying updated on beauty and lifestyle...more