How Peels Help with Active Acne
Dealing with active acne can be frustrating, painful, and emotionally draining. If you’ve tried over-the-counter products, prescription creams, or antibiotics and haven’t seen much improvement, you might be wondering if chemical peels are the answer. The truth? Chemical peels are one of the most underrated treatments for active acne—especially when used strategically and professionally.
At Bad Skin, located inside Sola Salons in downtown Redwood City (across from Philz Coffee), we help clients from across the Bay Area clear their skin using customized acne-focused peels. Whether you're battling stubborn breakouts, oiliness, or inflamed cysts, a peel might be just what your skin needs to hit reset.
Here’s everything you need to know about how chemical peels work for active acne—and why they might be your new best friend.
🌱 What Are Chemical Peels?
Chemical peels are acid-based treatments that exfoliate the skin by removing the top layers of dead cells, unclogging pores, and encouraging skin regeneration. Peels vary in strength (superficial to deep) and in ingredients—but for active acne, we typically use superficial or medium-depth peels that target bacteria, oil, and inflammation.
Common ingredients in acne-focused peels include:
Salicylic acid – a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that dissolves oil and penetrates into pores
Glycolic acid – an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that exfoliates surface skin and fades discoloration
Lactic acid – a gentle AHA that hydrates and brightens
Jessner’s solution – a blend of salicylic, lactic, and resorcinol for more active breakouts
TCA (trichloroacetic acid) – used in lower concentrations to reduce inflammation and pigment
🧼 How Peels Help With Active Acne
1. They Unclog Pores
Peels remove layers of dead skin cells that trap oil and bacteria. This reduces whiteheads, blackheads, and future breakouts—especially in oily skin types.
2. They Kill Acne-Causing Bacteria
Ingredients like salicylic acid have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping reduce the population of P. acnes bacteria in active breakouts.
3. They Regulate Oil Production
Repeated light peels can help control sebaceous (oil) gland activity, meaning less oil on your skin and fewer clogged pores.
4. They Speed Up Cell Turnover
By increasing the rate at which your skin renews itself, peels shorten the life cycle of a breakout and help prevent new acne from forming.
5. They Reduce Post-Acne Marks
Many peels also improve post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is the dark or red discoloration left behind after breakouts heal.
🔥 Do Peels Work on All Types of Acne?
Peels are especially effective for:
Comedonal acne (blackheads and whiteheads)
Inflammatory papules and pustules
Mild to moderate acne
Oily, congested skin
They may be less effective alone for:
Severe cystic or nodular acne (but can be part of a combination treatment plan)
Hormonal breakouts (especially if untreated internally)
At Bad Skin, we carefully assess the type and pattern of acne to determine if peels are a safe, effective choice—or if you need to combine them with microneedling, LED therapy, or prescription support.
🎯 Why Professional Peels Work Better Than At-Home Ones
You may see store-bought peels or “DIY acids” online, but they’re often too weak to address active acne—or too harsh, causing irritation and worsening breakouts.
Professional-grade peels:
Are formulated with higher concentrations of active ingredients
Are applied by trained professionals who can customize your peel strength
Come with proper aftercare and skin prepping to avoid complications
At Bad Skin, we always start with a skin consultation and patch test if needed—especially if you're new to chemical peels or currently breaking out.
🧴 What to Expect After an Acne Peel
You won’t always peel after a peel! Some chemical peels cause visible flaking, while others work more beneath the surface. Either way, the skin goes through a renewal process over 3–7 days.
After an acne-targeted peel, you might experience:
Mild redness or tightness
Slight peeling or flaking
Temporary purging (as clogged pores rise to the surface)
Your skin may look clearer and smoother within 7–10 days, with even better results after a series of treatments spaced 2–4 weeks apart.
❗ What to Avoid After a Chemical Peel
After a peel, your skin is more sensitive and needs to be protected to prevent irritation or hyperpigmentation.
Avoid:
Sun exposure – Always wear SPF 50+ (with zinc oxide!)
Picking or peeling flakes
Active ingredients like retinol, AHAs/BHAs, and scrubs for 5–7 days
Hot environments, sweating, or intense workouts for 24–48 hours
Following our post-peel protocol is key to achieving the best results while keeping your skin barrier strong.
📍 Why Choose Bad Skin for Acne Peels?
Acne is personal, and no two breakouts are the same. At Bad Skin, we create custom peel plans based on your skin’s unique needs. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn blackheads, inflamed pustules, or bumpy texture, we’ll guide you through a safe, effective peel journey.
We proudly treat clients from across the Bay Area, including:
San Mateo, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Belmont, San Carlos, Foster City, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, San Jose, Fremont, Union City, Hayward, Millbrae, Burlingame, South San Francisco, Los Altos, Daly City, and Oakland.
Our studio in downtown Redwood City is located inside Sola Salons, across from Philz Coffee. Whether you're coming in for a consultation or starting your peel series, our space is professional, welcoming, and results-focused.
