A $125 Peel That’s Better Than a Facial—and Can Be Applied from the Couch
Sure, the newly formed small pimples around my chin, sporadic dryness, and—ugh—exaggerated creases under my eyes could be from stress, the fact that I stare at multiple screens all day, or the fact that I’m admittedly not drinking enough water. But deep down, I suspect it’s from skimping on my minimal but effective nighttime regimen because I’m too tired. And by skimping, I mean not really doing a thing except halfheartedly slapping on whatever potion happens to be on my nightstand while watching Andy Cohen and company play “Plead the Fifth.”
So when I heard that natural skin care guru Kat Burki offers an at-home peel that promises to soothe, restore, and refine (the holy grail of promises), I was all in. More specifically, I was all in thanks to the potent combo of 10 percent glycolic acid (a key ingredient to reverse sun and environmental damage) and 5 percent botanical hyaluronic acid to smooth my unwieldy texture. Throw in the fact that there’s also cold-pressed avocado oil, and I was extra on board, given my obsession with hydrating skin oils.
The peel—which is definitely a splurge at $125—is meant to be brushed onto skin after cleansing with the soft brush it comes with and left on for at least five and up to 20 minutes. The first time I applied it, I split the difference and rinsed after 10 minutes, but while it was on, I noticed it didn’t make my face as tight as other masks; it sunk into my skin right away, rather than congealing on top.
After I washed it off, I used my two favorite Shiseido products—Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate and Ibuki Refining Moisturizer—and went to bed.
When I woke up, I was shocked: The pimples around my chin had almost vanished, and my skin definitely looked more even. Even the lines under my eyes looked more relaxed. Basically, my skin was re-set—which is exactly what I needed.
In fact, the peel’s effects—on me, anyway—mimicked that of a facial (something I’ve never been fond of getting), so I’m pleased I’m able to get the same benefits without leaving my bed. It might sound cliché, but that’s definitely kind of priceless.
Kat Burki Restorative Dual Acid Peel, $125; at Kat Burki
