Calming your skin after a peel is all about soothing, hydrating, and protecting—no active ingredients, no exfoliation, just gentle care. Here's what to do:
π§♀️ Immediate Aftercare (First 24–48 Hours)
1. Skip Actives
π« No retinol, vitamin C, acids (AHA/BHA/PHA), or exfoliants. These can worsen irritation.
2. Use a Gentle Cleanser
π§Ό Choose a non-foaming, fragrance-free cleanser like micellar water or a milky wash.
3. Soothe with Thermal or Mineral Water
π§ Spray a fine mist of thermal water (like AvΓ¨ne or La Roche-Posay) to calm inflammation.
4. Apply a Recovery Cream or Barrier Repair Balm
𧴠Look for ceramides, centella asiatica, panthenol, or allantoin to rebuild the skin barrier.
5. Keep Skin Moisturized
π¦ Use a thick, healing moisturizer to prevent tightness and flaking. Reapply throughout the day.
6. Avoid Heat and Sweat
π₯ No saunas, steam, workouts, or hot showers. Heat can worsen redness and delay healing.
7. Don’t Pick or Peel Flaky Skin
π
♀️ Let dead skin shed naturally to avoid scarring or discoloration.
𧴠Ongoing Recovery (Days 3–7)
1. Continue Barrier Support
Stick with gentle, hydrating products—think creamy moisturizers and misting throughout the day.
2. Add SPF—Religiously
𧴠Use broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 daily, even indoors. Your skin is more sensitive to UV after a peel.
3. Slowly Reintroduce Actives
π Around day 5–7 (or when your skin feels back to normal), gradually bring back actives like vitamin C or acids—starting just once or twice a week.
✅ Best Ingredients for Post-Peel Recovery:
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Centella Asiatica (calms redness)
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Panthenol (B5) (deeply hydrates and repairs)
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Hyaluronic Acid (replenishes moisture)
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Squalane (restores skin barrier)
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Colloidal Oatmeal or Aloe Vera (soothes irritation)