I don’t mean to brag, but after a decade of battling acne, I’ve finally learned how to successfully calm my pesky pimples – halle-frickin-lujah. But my haters will be happy to know that it’s not all been rosy since then. In hindsight, I’ve struggled with a few texture and color issues, like acne scarring and hyperpigmentation – so I wanted to test out the PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel. The treatment has proven to help with tone, texture, and visible brightness, so it was made for me. Below, I’m sharing all my thoughts after the peel and the extremely impressive (and now I Do I mean, I want to show off) Before and after pictures.
What is PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel?
This professional chemical peel is performed in a medspa or doctor’s office (find a provider here). It uses a combination of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)—20 percent mandelic acid and 10 percent lactic acid—to renew and even out skin tone and texture and improve visible redness. It contains the antioxidants emblica and silymarin to protect skin from internal and external aggressors, as well as lemon peel extract for its brightening effects. And while it’s effective, it’s also suitable for sensitive skin and has been tested for use on all skin tones.
The advantages:
- Smoothes uneven, rough skin
- Fades dark spots such as red acne scars
- Improves visible redness
- Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles (with consistent treatment)
- Gives the skin a radiant shine
Who is an ideal candidate for a PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel?
If your complexion looks or feels dull, dry, lackluster, and/or uneven, you may benefit from this peel. My board-certified esthetician at Kur Skin Lab in NYC, Jeanne Ng, told me it’s also good for blemishes. Although my acne has improved, I had an active pimple the day of my appointment (thanks, PCOS!), and Ng noted that the mandelic acid in the treatment would help heal that pimple.
WHO is not but a candidate? Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, but of course you should always talk to your doctor before having any skin treatment.
What to expect from a PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel
The procedure takes about an hour, so sit back and relax. Your beautician will:
- Double cleanse your face to remove all makeup, dirt, debris and sunscreen.
- Apply a smoothing toner to your face using a cotton pad.
- Apply the peeling in layers and assess how your skin feels after each layer. Depending on how well your skin tolerates it, you can apply up to four layers in total and wait one to five minutes between layers.
- Apply a combination of serums tailored to your skin type and needs.
- Finally, apply moisturizer and sun protection factor (depending on the time of day).
Afterwards, you may experience mild peeling for one to five days. But enough about you: Let me tell you what happens with Me when I experienced the peeling.
My experience
About my skin:
Before my treatment, it was unusually dry. I had been struggling with dehydration after switching to a stronger dose of tretinoin (the prescription medication that is the sole reason I finally got my acne problem under control—but that’s a story for another day). Ng noticed my skin was also congested, and noted the acne scars on my cheeks, chin, and jawline, as well as the sun spots.
The preparation:
In the five days before my appointment, I stopped using products containing retinoids and acids to reduce the risk of possible irritation from the peel. (Call your doctor beforehand to get your personal recommendation on what to avoid in advance.)
While:
I tolerate retinoids like nothing, but some acids burn like hell on my face. Thankfully that didn’t happen here. I’d say the burning and stinging I experienced was about a 3 out of 10, so totally tolerable. And there wasn’t much redness after the treatment either (see the pictures below for proof). Honestly, it was pretty relaxing!
After:
Before I left the office, Ng gave me a kit with all the products I needed for a week of post-peel care, including PCA SKIN’s Creamy Cleanser, ReBalance Moisturizer, Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (sunscreen is an absolute must, as peels make your skin extra sensitive to the sun), and CliniCalm 1%. I followed the prescribed routine to the letter, avoiding direct sunlight, chlorinated pools, and anything else that could cause irritation.
Since I regularly use tretinoin, which renews my skin, Ng said I probably wouldn’t be peeling much, and she was right. I had a bit of flaking around my mouth and nose, but not a whole layer of my face or anything. (If you have flaking, though, Ng says to avoid peeling it off, no matter how tempting it is!)
My results
Guys, I’ve never been so obsessed with how my skin looks. I love how much this has brightened my complexion and smoothed out my texture issues without causing any pain or leading to redness or irritation. Take a look at my forehead, for example. I’m afraid it looks smoother than it did 10 years ago!
Now, some old acne scars that have been with me for ages will still need a few sessions to fade (and probably a lot less time in the sun too). But overall, the peel did a good job of treating some of my newer scars, smoothing out some bumps, and brightening my overall tone.
How much does the PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel cost?
Approximately $150 to $250 per treatment, depending on your provider and location.
Final verdict
If you want to glow like crazy and your at-home products just aren’t cutting it and you don’t want to opt for a super expensive and aggressive in-office treatment, PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel is the way to go. I’ve tried countless laser and microneedling treatments and while they’re effective, they can be painful as hell (at least in my experience). I’ve since achieved a similar glowing effect – plus soft, clear skin – with this peel. For me, that’s a win.
Meet the expert
- Jeanne Ng is an esthetician at Kur Skin Lab in New York City.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories. She’s an authority in all skincare categories, but an expert when it comes to the PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel after testing it on her own hyperpigmented, acne-prone skin (and asking a million questions during her appointment).
Beth Gillette is beauty editor at Cosmopolitanwhere she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails and more in digital and print media. You can usually see her wearing bright eyeshadow, furiously typing about her latest feature or ranting about a new product you “have to try.” CosmopolitanShe spent four years writing and editing beauty content as an editor at The Everygirl. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hairstyle every few months.
