Why Hyper-Sensitive Skin Enthusiasts Are Suddenly Raving About at-Home Peels
Even well-engineered products cause problems when applied incorrectly. The most common error is scrubbing too hard. The pads themselves are woven from soft fibers, but pressing them roughly into the skin turns a gentle chemical treatment into an abrasive physical one. The pads should glide lightly across the skin, never tugging at it.
Another frequent pitfall involves stacking active ingredients. Applying the Dr. Dennis Gross peel on the same night as prescription retinoids (such as tretinoin or tazarotene) or high-potency L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) will almost certainly inflame sensitive skin. Dermatologists advise using the two-step pads on "exfoliation nights" while keeping retinoids on alternate evenings, giving the epidermal barrier ample time to rest and recover.