History of Peels

Let’s rewind all the way back to ancient times. Cleopatra ruled Egypt and she was revered for her beauty. Her skincare rituals have been documented for centuries and she is often portrayed soaking in a tub. That is because she bathed in fermented milk, which contained lactic acid. The lactic acid dissolves the proteins, which bind dead cells, leaving her skin smooth and regal. She was probably the first at-home peeler on record and we have been peeling ever since.

Peel Over Time

Women have been trying for centuries to figure out the hack to perfect skin. In the middle ages, women would use lime, mustard, or sulfur soaked cloths to revive their skin. Gypsies were the first to create a deep chemical peel by experimenting with phenol.

Through the Centuries

In the 18th century, women used tartaric acid and old wine, soaking their faces to remain youthful. Exfoliation as we know it today came into play in the 19th century when women would use lemon’s citric acid to get rid of wrinkles and freckles. And in more modern times, plastic surgeons and dermatologists started using chemicals to treat their patients’ skin.  Now here we are in the 21st century and Ellen Lange has taken the peel from the medi-spa to the home with her revolutionary Retexturizing Peel kit.

The Science Behind the Peel

Peel simply speed up our skin’s natural exfoliation process. These now simple treatments that you can do at home reduce lines, even skin tone, and control acne.  As we mature, the dead cells linger on our skin’s surface, making our skin look duller and uneven. When we peel with Glycolic we increase our cell’s turnover rate, new healthy skin comes to the surface.

The Magical Ingredient We Need 

And what is this? Glycolic of course! Derived straight from sugar cane it has the unique ability to penetrate the skin due to its small size. It does the important work, digging deep within the layers of our skin, by speeding up cell turnover and getting rid of dead skin cells. 

Glycolic Is Here To Stay 

Glycolic acid first became popular as a peeling agent in the 1980s.  Derived from sugar cane, it has the unique ability to penetrate the skin due to its small size. Glycolic is what stimulates the skin to create more collagen - which helps restore firmness, plumpness, and elasticity in the skin.   Glycolic has been clinically proven and there has been no other ingredient that rivals its results for a light peel.  Maybe Cleopatra was also the first influencer?