Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel Review
What comes to mind when you think of a chemical peel? An oversized hat and a jar of Aquaphor? Several days of skin that feels like beef carpaccio (a la Samantha from Sex and the City)?
I used to go for chemical peels that made my skin feel like a spicy face fire with several days of downtime (see: molting) to get the most bang for my buck. But hey, hibernating isn’t for everyone, especially during the summer. And hiding under a hat and glasses isn’t always practical either!
And while deeper chemical peels can help improve your skin concerns quickly, there are gentle, effective options out there that can be used more frequently too - without breaking the bank.
The Overnight Resurfacing Peel from Beautycounter is my favorite safer skincare serum that works great on my sensitive, combination/acne-prone (see: cranky!) skin.
The name is also a bit of a misnomer - it doesn’t even “peel” at all. Instead, its 15 botanically-derived acids lightly chemically exfoliate the top layer of dead-skin cells.
When used ~2-3x per week skin gradually becomes brighter and more even. It has been on heavy rotation as more of a night serum since I picked it up in early May, and at $58 the cost per use ain’t bad. (A professional chemical peel runs at least $75, and up to $200 in major cities)!
Read on for:
• details and F.A.Q.s about the Overnight Resurfacing Peel
• my experience with this safer night serum and other chemical peels
Beautycounter Overnight Resurfacing Peel
What is it?
A gentle leave-on chemical peel containing 15 botanically-derived acids (see below) that helps reduce pores, improve skin texture, diminish fine lines and age spots, and bring radiance back to the skin.
What are the key ingredients?
The variety of acids sets this peel apart from others on the market. Many peels contain just a couple of potent acids in higher concentrations which, while effective in resurfacing, cause redness and irritation. They lack soothing gentle acids!
It was challenging for Beautycounter to formulate a peel with all of those ingredients so that it was effective, but gentle enough to wear overnight.
The resulting innovative formula uses 9 resurfacing acids, and 6 soothing acids that replenish and protect the skin.
The heroes:
Glycolic acid: to improve texture
Lactic: promotes brighter skin
Malic: reduces fine lines
Hyaluronic acid: hydrates!
What does it do?
When used regularly it will help your other products (like anti-aging serums, moisturizers, etc.) penetrate more easily because it has chemically exfoliated that top layer of old skin cells!
So my skin won’t peel?
Nope - there’s no downtime! I KNOW it seems like a misnomer. You’ll be washing it off in the morning. The “peel” dissolves your top layer of dead skin cells.
Who is it for:
All skin types and it’s an ideal night serum for acne-prone skin and the 30+ crowd!
Who should avoid this peel?
•If you are seeing a dermatologist or aesthetician, share the peel’s information page with them before using it. Physician-directed skincare products are a lot stronger than over the counter products and your skin may be too sensitive!
•Anyone with an active sunburn or skin injury.
•Expecting mamas, check with your healthcare provider(s) first. The peel contains less than 2% salicylic acid. Postpartum ladies, I recommend doing a small test-spot first before diving in!
How do you use it?
At night* after cleansing, apply 1-2 pumps to face and neck
Wait 3-5 minutes for it to dry - this is key!
Apply your moisturizer and sleep!
Use 2-4x per week
*Do not use the Overnight Resurfacing Peel in the morning! UV rays will neutralize the acids and your skin will be more sensitive!
I don’t recommend using this peel every night forever and ever. More isn’t better and nightly use could dissolve some of the healthy skin cells that ya want to keep!
My Experience with the Peel
Because I have cranky, acne-prone skin I gradually introduced this product into my evening routine, 1-2x per week after spot testing on my jawline. It tingles slightly, but didn’t burn. After it soaked in I used a pea-sized amount of my Cleansing Balm.
In the morning my skin feels hydrated and glowing (yes, overnight!) and I have been skipping foundation most days or just spot concealing hormonal breakouts.
Now I use the peel 3 nights in a row per week and my skin feels super soft and hydrated. I’ll still go for professional treatments now and then because I do like intense treatments in cooler months, but for now this investment is a treatment in a bottle!
I’ll update this post later with before and after photos! But for now, here’s how my skin looked 3 months after using it!:
My Other Favorite Skincare Treatments
Looking for an aesthetician in Grand Rapids, MI? I recommend Rachel at Grand Pearl Spa for the following professional skincare treatments!
• Hydrafacial: It combines two of my faves: chemical peel and microdermabrasion to chemically and physically exfoliate skin. Extractions are removed via suction and the treatment ends with infusing antioxidants and hydration into the skin. There’s no downtime - I’m just slightly red afterward.
• VI Peel: For those of you who like more intense peels! Expect 3-5 days of social downtime - there WILL be peeling. This zapped some of my deep active acne, reduced post-acne hyper-pigmentation, and improved the overall brightness and clarity of my skin. It’s recommended that you wait until the fall/winter for this one.
Ready to try the Overnight Resurfacing Peel?
Yeah, I am a Beautycounter consultant. But first and foremost I’m a picky skincare hoarder and this meets my high standards! Click here or the button below to shop with Diane Teall as your consultant!
