Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer, such as Aveeno, Vanicream, Cetaphil, or CeraVe, as soon as you start to peel until your skin feels normal again. By retaining moisture and lowering the risk of bacterial infection, redness, and irritation, will hasten the healing process. Continue reading, you will learn different moisturizers, and know which one is for you.
The Best Moisturizers
- The Overall Best: Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D
- Best Budget Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
- Best Lightweight Moisturizer: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra
- Best Gel-Cream: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
- Best Moisturizer With Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Daily
What is the Best Moisturizer After Chemical Peel?
Best Budget Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
Another excellent moisturizer for skin that has undergone surgery, but this one comes in a huge 19-ounce tub and is less expensive than XeraCalm. It is a fragrance-free, oil-free, hypoallergenic cream that, like XeraCalm, has earned the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance. It is made with barrier-strengthening ceramides, hydrating glycerin, and moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid. You can apply this from head to toe as well (and you might as well, considering how much product you’ll be getting).
Relevant review: “I recently received a prescription for Retin-A to treat adult acne (cue eye roll), and while it significantly improved the appearance of my skin, it also left me with [painful] dry patches. After using this lotion for about a week, my dry patches were completely gone! Given how sensitive my skin is from the retin-A treatment, the fact that it moisturized my skin without irritating it is an amazing accomplishment. Even though it applies fairly thickly, this product has consistently moisturized my skin for the past two months and hasn’t resulted in any breakouts. Not enough to say: recommend!”
The Overall Best Moisturizer for After a Chemical Peel: Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm
Apply Avène’s XeraCalm A.D moisturizer to your skin daily if you’re unsure how to care for it after a chemical peel. It’s a perfect moisturizer to use after surgery because it’s made for people with eczema, atopic dermatitis, or just generally dry, itchy, and irritated skin. No fragrance, parabens, or preservatives are present in the 100% sterile formula, which is enriched with calming thermal spring water and emollient glycerin. It also comes in an airless, pump-top bottle to keep contaminants out. Additionally, it has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which is a testament to how gentle it is for skin that has been irritated.
Relevant review: “My acne, excess oiliness, peeling, and redness were all immediately treated after the first use. It’s only gotten better in the past two weeks. I require less makeup because my skin is smooth, even-toned, and glowing. It is excellent for the evening because it is not overly greasy or heavy but is still very thick and hydrating. A perfect foundation base is also created by this. It is a miracle.”
Best Moisturizer With Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Daily
Dr. González stressed the importance of “rigorous” sunscreen application after getting a chemical peel. EltaMD, a brand beloved by dermatologists, created this one, especially for skin that has undergone surgery, so it is ideal. (In spite of this, consult your doctor before spending time in the sun after getting a peel because some can make your skin more photosensitive than others.) Hyaluronic acid is added to the mineral-based sunscreen EltaMD UV Daily to help keep your skin hydrated all day. It has an SPF of 40. It is also fragrance, paraben, and other common irritant-free, non-comedogenic, and non-greasy.
Relevant review: “I’ve been using this item for a while. My dermatologist originally advised me to use it following glycolic peels. A fantastic daily SPF for the face. Although I have sensitive skin that is prone to breakouts, this moisturizer/sunblock is ideal for me.”
Best Gel-Cream: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
Love how gel creams make you feel cool and revitalized? For your post-procedure skin, Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Gel Cream will be a real treat. It is non-comedogenic, oil-free, and fragrance-free and is made with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, making it a fantastic option for all types of skin—dry, sensitive, and oily. Pro tip: If you’re experiencing burning or stinging, storing this in the refrigerator will increase the cooling effect even more.
Relevant review: “On Accutane right now is my daughter. It dries you out a lot. In many ways, this has saved my life. It is the only thing that has prevented her skin from peeling off. She also doesn’t break out from it. This is one of the few products that hasn’t caused us any problems despite her extremely sensitive skin.
Best Lightweight Moisturizer: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra
Choose La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra if you prefer lighter-weight creams and lotions or if you’re looking for a daily moisturizer to use in the summer. It doesn’t contain any potential irritants (like added fragrances, parabens, or bad alcohol), but it does contain lots of good-for-skin nourishers like glycerin, squalane, shea butter, and thermal spring water. Similar to XeraCalm, this comes in an airtight container that prevents the entry of any contaminants.
Relevant review: “I now consider this to be an HG. Vitamin A or C, peels, and any kind of acid have never been things I could tolerate. If I use this cream after, I can now use them. My barrier is still very strong. I wish I had discovered this sooner.”
How to Care for Your Skin After a Chemical Peel?
After a chemical peel, you’ll want to “stay away from any exfoliating ingredients, retinol, or other acids, such as salicylic acid and glycolic acid,” says Dr. González, use only the most basic cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreen to hydrate and protect the newly exposed skin. To help you figure out which products are safe to use on your extra-delicate skin, look for words like “calming,” “soothing,” and “nourishing on the label.
What to Expect After a Chemical Peel?
The type of chemical peel you had, however, does matter, according to Dr. According to González, the majority of people can anticipate some redness, stinging, and peeling afterward. Peeling from superficial to medium-depth chemical peels lasts for roughly three to seven days; from deeper chemical peels, peeling and redness are likely to last for a longer period of time.
How to Find the Best Cream for My Skin Type?
Knowing your skin type is the first step to selecting the ideal post-chemical peel moisturizer. Your skin may be oily. Sensitive or dry skin? Finding a moisturizer that is specially formulated to meet your needs will be easier if you are aware of your skin type, which will help you limit your options if you have combination skin.
It’s time to look more closely at ingredients once you have an understanding of your skin type. For instance, if you have oily skin, you should stay away from petroleum jelly and other products with a lot of oil because they can clog your pores and lead to breakouts. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, you should look for products that are high in hydration (consider hyaluronic acid) and nourishment (consider shea butter). Find a product that doesn’t contain any abrasive ingredients or strong fragrances if you have sensitive skin, and instead choose something mild and calming.
Last but not least, remember to consider the cost. It’s not always true that the most expensive moisturizers are the best for your skin, and vice versa. Finding the right balance between premium ingredients and a reasonable price is crucial. With these considerations in mind, we’ve compiled our list of the best post-chemical peel moisturizers available. To find the best one for your requirements, keep reading!
How to Care for Your Skin Post-Peel?
Cleanse Gently: For 5-7 days, your skin could be delicate. Use only your fingertips to cleanse your skin; don’t use washcloths, loofahs, buff puffs, sponges, Clarisonic, etc. Hot water will irritate your skin. Revision Gentle Cleanser is something that we advise using. Depending on your unique needs, your esthetician may suggest other mild cleansers like Dove Unscented Bar Soap for Sensitive skin, Aveeno, CetaphilR, CeraVeR, or VanicreamR.
Moisturize Often: A discomfort may result from allowing the skin to dry out. To assist your skin in healing, we advise using SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective GelR and SkinCeuticals Epidermal repair. For the first few days or as needed on delicate areas that are peeling with strong peels, apply petroleum jelly. Use a non-comedogenic moisturizer, such as Aveeno, VanicreamR, Cetaphil, or CeraVeR, until the skin feels normal again when it starts to peel. By keeping moisture in and lowering the risk of bacterial infection, redness, and irritation, will aid in the healing process. Use these items frequently throughout the day or as required. Depending on your unique needs, topical hydrocortisone may be advised.
Protect Your Skin: Skin inflammation may result from heat and sunlight exposure. For four weeks following treatment, keep the treated area away from excessive heat, direct sunlight of any kind, tanning beds, and self-tanners. If you have to be outside, use an umbrella or wear a hat with a wide brim, sunglasses, and physical sunblock (containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide). We advise using Colorescience SunforgettableR or SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50R. Both of these products offer broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection without using chemical sun filters. When exposed to the sun, apply 30 minutes before exposure and reapply frequently (every 2 hours or so). Depending on your particular needs, other sunscreen products might be suggested.
Should Any Products Be Used After a Chemical Peel?
The only two products you should use on your skin immediately following a chemical peel are sunscreen and moisturizer. You should get chemical peels in the fall and winter when there is less sun exposure because they make your skin more susceptible to sunlight.
Colorscience sunscreen is the one After having a chemical peel, I frequently advise. Because of the effectiveness and gentleness of this sunscreen, it shouldn’t irritate your skin after a peel. To be on the safe side, I advise staying out of the sun and the elements for about a week. Every day of the year, you should wear sunscreen, but after getting a chemical peel, it’s especially important.
Is It Good to Moisturize After a Chemical Peel?
It is important to moisturize after a chemical peel. Fresh skin is delicate, and it might still be peeling after treatment. The peeling process is a natural part of chemical peels, so moisturizers won’t stop it.
Conclusion on Best Moisturizer After Chemical Peel
The Overall Best: Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D; Best Budget Moisturizer: CeraVe Moisturizing Cream; Best Lightweight Moisturizer: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra; Best Gel-Cream: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream; Best Moisturizer With Sunscreen: EltaMD UV Daily.
It doesn’t have to be difficult to choose the best post-chemical peel moisturizer for your requirements; just keep these considerations in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to discovering the ideal product for your particular complexion.