Under the skin: what are the benefits of a glycolic peel?

There are so many skincare products that we're told we simply must have, it can be both a delight to explore and difficult to know what to choose for our own skincare routines. Of course, some of the people who know best are the world's spa therapists. One such product is a glycolic peel.

Here Spa Manager, Jaydee Walmsley, from Lincombe Spa at Lincombe Hall Hotel in Devon, explains what it is, its benefits, and which products and spa treatments she recommends that harness its powers.

What is a glycolic peel?

It’s a form of exfoliation that's used to improve the skin's texture and make it appear more smooth. It's intended to remove the outermost layers of the skin using a controlled peel. Products contain the key ingredient, glycolic acid, a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (or AHA), which is usually derived from sugar cane. Sometimes it's combined with other things like lactic acid as well.

What are the benefits of a glycolic peel?

They can be used to varying degrees of intensity, depending on whether they're home use or professional products, and their benefits range from generally improving skin's smoothness and appearance, to reducing pores, removing blackheads and whiteheads, thoroughly cleansing the skin and stimulating the blood flow to the surface of skin, causing cell renewal. For some it's a way of improving the appearance of scarring as well.

Is there anyone who shouldn't use it?

As it can be quite an intense product or treatment, it's not suited to very sensitive skin. It can cause a little redness immediately after use, and skin needs time to settle. It isn't suitable for use on broken skin, for anyone with contact dermatitis or glycolate hypersensitivity, and it isn't recommended for use during pregnancy or cancer treatment.

Who do you recommend a glycolic peel for?

I would recommend it to anyone with uneven skin tone, anyone with oily skin or for acne scars as long as skin has healed properly. I think it's also just a really nice thing for anyone who wants to give skin a bit of a boost - evening skin tone and brightening appearance.

Which products do you recommend for a glycolic peel?

I love Temple Spa's Most Revealing Glowing Skin Oxygen Peel with Glycolic Acid. It's a state-of-the-art oxygenating bubble peel including vitamin C and a cocktail of glycolic, malic, lactic, citric and hydroxy acids that are all good for your skin. It also contains botanical extracts including apple, kiwi and chamomile soothe, vitamins A & E nourish and Mediterranean oils of sweet orange and bergamot to promote radiant skin.

Which spa treatments do you recommend including a glycolic peel?

Definitely Temple Spa's Champagne and Truffle Facial. It's luxurious and perfect for mature skin, containing lots of different elements including an anti-ageing lifting and sculpting face massage, resurfacing peel, a hydrating and brightening alginate mask.