How do you heal after a chemical peel? It’s simple: by keeping your skin well-hydrated!
Chemical peels strip the outermost layer of your skin to reveal fresh, new skin underneath. This stripping process can leave your skin feeling irritated, inflamed, and extremely dry.
Moisturizers soothe these discomforts and promote a more comfortable healing process.
Here are some of the best post-chemical peel moisturizers for optimal healing and hydration.
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1. Avene Eau Thermale XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream
The Avene Eau Lipid-Replenishing Cream is formulated for people with eczema, atopic dermatitis, and sensitive skin – so it works well as a post-chemical peel moisturizer.
It’s gentle and fragrance-free and contains no parabens or preservatives. It’s non-comedogenic, too, meaning that it won’t clog or block the pores on your skin.
This moisturizing cream uses two key ingredients to soothe and nourish skin: i-modulia and cer-omega.
I-modulia is a patented ingredient derived from Avene Thermal Spring Water, which possesses clinically proven anti-inflammatory properties.
It helps alleviate itching, redness, and irritation, which are common concerns post-chemical peel.
Cer-omega, on the other hand, is a blend of ceramides and omega fatty acids. It fortifies the skin’s protective barrier, preventing moisture loss and boosting hydration levels.
2. ELTA MD Face Moisturizer
When you have sensitive skin, it isn’t uncommon to feel a burning sensation days after a peeling procedure.
To soothe the irritation and redness, you need a moisturizer that provides intensive hydration and calming relief. One such moisturizer is the ELTA MD, which soothes and moisturizes compromised skin.
Dermatologists often recommend this moisturizer to patients who have experienced severe burns or undergone medical procedures like laser resurfacing, dermaplaning, and chemical peeling.
It’s fragrance-free, oil-free, and lightweight, leaving your skin refreshed and feeling silky.
The ELTA MD Face Moisturizer is formulated with niacinamide, which reduces inflammation, calms redness, and strengthens the skin’s barrier function.
Willow bark extract is another key ingredient that makes this moisturizer so effective. Willow bark extract reduces excess oil, clears up pores, and soothes irritated, inflamed skin.
3. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
The CeraVe Moisturizer Cream has been a cult favorite for decades due to its effectiveness and affordability.
It’s made with three essential ceramides (1, 3, and 6-11) to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, as well as hyaluronic acid for that much-needed hydration for post-peel dryness.
These ingredients, alongside CeraVe’s patented Multivesicular Emulsion (MVE) technology that ensures all-day hydration, make it an excellent product for those recovering from a mild chemical peel.
4. Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Face Cream
Cetaphil is known for its gentle formulations, and this moisturizer face cream is no different.
Unlike the original Cetaphil Face Moisturizer with surface-level hydration, the Deep Hydration Face Cream delivers long-lasting moisture that penetrates deeper layers of the skin.
It contains ingredients that soothe and repair compromised skin, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin 5, vitamin E, and sunflower seed oil.
It’s lightweight and doesn’t clog pores or irritate skin, nourishing your face without leaving a greasy after-feel.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your skin well-moisturized after a chemical peel not only speeds up healing but also prevents scarring.
The moisturizers I’ve reviewed above are all neutral and gentle, with no harsh chemicals and fragrances to avoid skin irritation. They also contain healing ingredients that provide relief and support the skin’s recovery process.