A glycolic peel is a fantastic aid in the never-ending quest for ultimate beauty. It's much gentler than the usual skin peel products and has even helped some people with sensitive skin achieve refreshing results.

The idea behind any skin peeling product is to remove the very top layers of dead or unhealthy skin. The younger skin underneath is not only exposed, most peels cause the body to produce collagen as it generates the new skin layer. The collagen helps fill in those scars and lines, leaving the skin fresh and smooth.

At-home glycolic peels, like all at-home beauty products, are the ultimate aids in this quest for beauty since you don’t even have to leave your bathroom to do one. They also have far less “down-time” than other chemical peels, leaving the skin slightly red for only a few days.

Chemical peels follow the same rules as any cosmetics containing powerful chemicals, you need to test the glycolic peel on a small patch of skin before spreading it across your face. These skin peels can have potential problems depending on the person, such as burning, irritation, rashes, scarring, inflammation and discoloration. Never use the peel on any open cuts, sores or blemishes.

At-home peels come in just about any form you can imagine, such as foam, lotion, serum and pads. The gentle glycolic peel can help rejuvenate and soften skin, as well diminish light acne scars and fine wrinkles. However severe scarring, deep wrinkles and extreme pock-marks will not be improved much.

Depending on the particular peel product you choose, the exact steps may differ. In general, you begin by washing your face to remove surface dirt and oil. Pat your skin dry and apply the glycolic peel as directed by the manufacturer. Again, depending on the particular product, you may leave the peel on for a few seconds or a few minutes.

Gentle glycolic peels, such as the ones that come as pads, are a quick process to complete. However, the more complicated glycolic peels may also require a neutralizing agent and replenishing lotion after application. Though many products claim results after just one use, most peels only show dramatic results after several treatments spread over an extended period of time.