15 Best Facial Peel Pads 2022 to Exfoliate Dead Skin Cells & Brighten Your Complexion: Dermatologist Recommendations

Jun 30, 2023

By Sarah Han and Michelle Rostamian

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The words "acid" and "peel" are scary enough on their own, let alone strung together to describe a product that you rub all over your face. But as terrifying as "acid peel" may sound, the best facial peel pads are actually the quickest, easiest, and most importantly, painless way to get smoother, brighter-looking skin without going to the dermatologist or making a facial appointment — neither of which are the most comfortable or safe options at the moment. "The benefits [of peels] can include dark spot fading, evening complexion, collagen building, natural tone-enhancing, and exfoliating," Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut, previously told Allure.Thanks to powerful resurfacing ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), and brightening ingredients like vitamin C, your skin will have a newfound radiance and clarity in a few swipes. Just make sure you’re reaching for your favorite cleanser first and starting with a clean base before you go in with any clarifying peel pad.

While many pads may look the same, they're not all created equal. You need a formula packed with acids to deep-clean clogged pores, lift away dead skin cells, and speed up cell turnover — along with a solid mix of soothing and hydrating ingredients, so your skin doesn't feel irritated after all of the heavy-duty exfoliation. (Tingling is a very common side effect, so don't fret if you experience that during your first few uses — for anything beyond that, consult your board-certified derm.) Some are even gentle enough to use every day, but you should always listen to your skin and build up its tolerance over time as needed.

Below, we share 15 of the best facial peel pads to fade hyperpigmentation, improve skin texture, and even help fade the appearance of fine lines over time. Basically, you can achieve glowing skin right in the comfort of your own home without breaking the bank.

Elemis's Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads are quite literally a facial in a tub — and for a dollar a pad (a.k.a. $60 for 60 pads), they're certainly more cost-effective than visiting your favorite spa. Great for diminishing pore size in addition to improving the look of dark spots, these pads help soften and smooth even the roughest skin. And, because they're textured, you're reaping the benefits of physical exfoliation in addition to chemical exfoliation via the formula's trio of enzymes. These can be used twice a day, making them the perfect accompaniment to your gym bag, travel bag, and everything in between.

Nip + Fab's Glycolic Fix Extreme Cleansing Pads contain a powerful trio of five percent glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid to resurface skin, unclog pore buildup, and fade acne scarring. The acids are accompanied by a dose of soothing witch hazel and moisture-attracting hyaluronic acid for the perfect all-around peel. These exfoliating pads also ring up at just 21 cents a pad, so you'll have more room in your budget to restock.

These alcohol-free First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads are actually safe enough to use every day if you favor the utmost consistency in your skin-care routine. In fact, lactic and glycolic acids are listed after water, aloe leaf juice, glycerin, and cucumber extract, so it's a great choice for sensitive skin that might not fare as well with formulas that load up acids at the top. Lemon peel and licorice root also help even out and brighten your skin tone for a healthy (and enviable) glow.

Beauty editors have adored Dr. Dennis Gross's Alpha Beta Pads for 20 years, but if your skin leans toward the sensitive side, the Alpha Beta Ultra Gentle Daily Peel should be just right for you. In addition to lactic acid and salicylic acid (from willow bark extract), it also has mandelic acid to help minimize irritation and redness. Each treatment comes with two pads, Step 1 and Step 2, which should be applied onto dry skin two minutes apart — no rinsing needed. Then, simply follow up with a serum and moisturizer to seal the deal.

As New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, previously explained to Allure, mandelic acid has a larger molecule size compared to most AHAs and, therefore, can't penetrate as deeply into the skin, making it more suitable for reactive skin. And for more assurance against inflammation, soothing colloidal oatmeal rounds out the ingredient list.

If you've ever been wary to try a chemical peel, Jan Marini's Multi-Acid Resurfacing Pads offer the best of both worlds. On one hand, there's a quadruple threat of acids (glycolic, salicylic, mandelic, and lactic) that smoothes out the skin and refines the pores, but it's the chamomile, aloe vera, and green tea that keeps any potential irritation or redness at bay. Any skin type will benefit from this formula, even those who are sensitive — just lower the wait time to three to five minutes versus the recommended 10 to 15, and you’ll be golden.

No spa, no problem. Bliss That's Incredi-Peel Pads gradually release a 10 percent concentration of glycolic acid overnight, so you get a formula that truly doesn't stop working. And Bliss understandably stamps "spa-strength" onto its packaging: it's powerful. "There's a reason glycolic is the acid used the most in doctors-office peels," Ranella Hirsch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, previously told Allure. "It does the job." These pads are also packed with glycerin, witch hazel, and soothing calendula flower extract, so you'll wake up with baby-soft skin.

The trick to using Peter Thomas Roth's Peptide 21 Amino Acid Exfoliating Peel Pads is letting the peel soak in for one to three minutes (a slight tingling is normal) before rinsing it off. Besides that, let the 20 percent exfoliating complex made of phytic acid (which is slightly more gentle), salicylic acid, and sodium lactate do the heavy lifting and reveal your inner glow. debris, pore buildup, and blackheads are cleared out, subsequent skin-care products will absorb even better. The additions of vitamin A, vitamin E, chamomile, and green tea keep skin happy and calm.

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All it takes is a few swipes of E.L.F. Superbrighten Peel Pads for a brighter, smoother complexion. The brand is known for its affordable-yet-effective formulations, and this one is no exception. It contains glycolic acid and citrus and papaya extracts to gently exfoliate dead cells to reveal your skin's underlying radiance with regular use.

The Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads have the highest dollar-to-pad ratio on our list, but if you're looking to really treat your skin, they definitely don't disappoint. Formulated alongside dermatologists (along with everything else in the Skinbetter line), these pads douse your skin with the brand's patented retinoid and lactic combo (called AlphaRet) and a trio of glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids. With consistent use, you’ll start witnessing skin that's smoother, clearer, and more moisturized. Bonus: the pads are individually wrapped, which means you'll never be left with dried-out, unusable pads (or subsequent buyer's remorse).

Neogen Dermalogy's Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Wine is made with a special three-layer design that consists of a 100-percent cotton mesh gauze pad, cushion pad, and embossed pad to deliver an effective but agitation-free experience. Infused with antioxidant-rich wine, these sweet-smelling pads lift away dead skin cells, excess sebum, and dirt for a big brightening boost. You know what they say: it's always wine o'clock somewhere.

M-61 Powerful Skincare PowerGlow Peels come in individual packets, meaning there are fewer chances of exposure to bacteria. "Combining glycolic and salicylic acid, this peel helps remove excess oil, clear breakouts, and promote healthy collagen production," says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Plus, bilberry and chamomile extracts provide extra antioxidant benefits and soothe inflamed skin, he adds.

You apply a face oil, serum, and moisturizer, but how do you know whether or not they're actually working? Cue Retrouvé's Skin Brilliance Priming Pads. These mighty pads slough away dead skin cells to increase the efficacy of the rest of your skin-care products — think of them like a makeup primer, but for skin care. They're powered by fruit acids like sugar maple, lemon, and orange, and are ideal for those with dry skin since they contain moisturizing panthenol.

The 20-percent concentration of glycolic acid in Pixi Skintreats Glow Peel Pads "removes dead cells that accumulate on the skin's surface and give a dull appearance, while rosewater calms irritation," says Dr. Zeichner. Vitamin E and aloe vera serve as backup to nourish and soothe skin post-exfoliation.

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Like your favorite drink from the neighborhood juice bar, these vegan Naturally Serious Get Even Peel Pads are cold-pressed, meaning they have a cooling, refreshing feeling that lasts well after application. The formula contains pomegranate enzymes to gently buff away dullness and uses oat extract to ensure the exfoliating action doesn't dry out your skin or cause irritation. What's more, you don't need to rinse these off, making them the perfect addition to a lazy skin-care routine. (Think smarter, not harder.)

If pore size is an issue, these rinse-off Babor AHA Peel Pads will do the trick. They're saturated with the AHAs you know and love (lactic, citric, and glycolic) for more radiant-looking skin. You may feel slight tingling after the first few applications, but that just means the pads are hard at work. Packaging-wise, the sleek tube is minimalistic and bound to match any bathroom aesthetic. Plus, the cotton pads are fairly large, meaning one is definitely enough for your face and neck.

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