Not to brag or anything, but after a decade of struggling with cystic acne, I've finally learned how to successfully calm down my annoying whiteheads—halle-frickin-lujah. But my haters will be pleased to know that it hasn't been all sunshine and roses on my face since. In the aftermath, I'm dealing with a smattering of texture and tone issues, like acne scars and hyperpigmentation—which is why I was interested in testing the PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel. The treatment has been shown to help with tone, texture, and visible brightness, aka made for me. Below, I'm sharing all my post-peel thoughts and the majorly impressive (and now I do mean to brag) before-and-afters.
What is the PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel?
This professional chemical peel is done at a medspa or doctor's office (find a provider here). It uses a combo of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs)—20 percent mandelic acid and 10 percent lactic acid—to resurface and even skin tone and texture and help improve the look of visible redness. It contains the antioxidants emblica and silymarin to protect skin from internal and external aggressors, as well as citrus lemon-peel extract for its brightening benefits. And while it's powerful, it's also sensitive-skin friendly and has been tested for use on all skin tones.
The benefits:
- Smooths bumpy, rough skin
- Fades dark spots, such as red acne scars
- Improves visible redness
- Helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles (with consistent treatments)
- Gives skin a glowy radiance
Who's an ideal candidate for a PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel?
If your complexion is dull, dry, lackluster, and/or feels or looks uneven, you can potentially benefit from this peel. My licensed aesthetician at Kur Skin Lab in NYC, Jeanne Ng, told me it's also good for those with breakouts. Even though my acne has gotten better, I had one active zit on the day of my appointment (thanks, PCOS!), and Ng noted that the mandelic acid in the treatment would help to heal that spot.
Who isn't a candidate, though? Anyone who's pregnant or breastfeeding, but ofc, always talk to your doctor before getting any skin treatment.
What to expect during a PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel
The process takes about an hour, so expect to sit back and relax. Your aesthetician will:
- Double-cleanse to remove any and all makeup, dirt, debris, and sunscreen from your face.
- Apply a smoothing toner over your face with a cotton pad.
- Brush on the peel in layers, assessing how your skin feels after each. Depending on how your skin tolerates it, they may apply up to four total, waiting one to five minutes in between.
- Smooth on a combination of serums tailored to your skin type and needs.
- Finish with moisturizer and SPF (depending on the time of day).
Afterward, you might experience some light peeling for one to five days. Enough about you, though: Let me tell you about what happened to me when I experienced the peel.
My experience
About my skin:
Before my treatment, it was uncharacteristically dry. I've been dealing with some dehydration after jumping up to a stronger dose of tretinoin (the prescription medicine that's the whole reason I've finally been able to figure out my acne situation—but that's a story for another day). Ng noticed that my skin was also congested, and took note of the acne scars along my cheeks, chin, and jawline, as well as sun spots.
The prep:
In the five days leading up to my appointment, I stopped using products containing retinoids and acids to reduce the chances of any potential irritation from the peel. (Call your provider beforehand for your own personalized recommendation of what to abstain from in advance.)
During:
I can handle retinoids like nothin', but some acids burn the hell outta my face. Thankfully, that didn't happen here. I'd say the burning and stinging sensations I experienced were about a 3 out of 10, meaning totally bearable. And there wasn't much post-treatment redness either (see the images below for proof). Honestly, it was pretty relaxing!
After:
Before I left the office, Ng hooked me up with a kit containing all the products I would need for a week of post-peel care, including PCA SKIN's Creamy Cleanser, ReBalance moisturizer, Hydrator Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (sunscreen is an absolute must, because peels make your skin extra sun-sensitive), and CliniCalm 1%. I followed the prescribed routine to a T and avoided direct sun exposure, chlorine pools, and anything else that might irritate.
Because I regularly use tretinoin, which resurfaces my skin, Ng mentioned that I likely wouldn't peel much, and she was right. I had a tiny bit of shedding around my mouth and nose but didn't lose a whole layer of my face or anything. (However, if you do shed, Ng says to avoid peeling it off, no matter how tempting!)
My results
Y'all, I've never been so obsessed with how my skin looks. I love how much this brightened my complexion and smoothed out my texture issues, without causing any pain whatsoever or resulting in redness or irritation. Like, look at my forehead. It looks smoother than it did 10 years ago, I fear!
Now, some long-standing acne scars that have been with me for what feels like eons will take some more sessions to fade (and probably much less time in the sun). But overall, the peel did a great job of targeting some of my newer scars, smoothing some bumps, and brightening up my overall tone.
How much does the PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel cost?
Around $150 to $250 per treatment, depending on your provider and location.
Final verdict
If you want to glow like crazy and your at-home products just aren't getting you there, and you don't want to opt for a super-expensive and harsh in-office treatment, PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel is the way to go. I've tried countless lasers and microneedling treatments, and while they're effective, they can be painful as hell (at least in my experience). Meanwhile, I got a similar glowy effect—plus soft, clear skin—with this peel. 'Tis a win in my book.
Meet the expert
- Jeanne Ng is an aesthetician at Kur Skin Lab in New York City.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories. She's an authority in all skincare categories, but an expert when it comes to the PCA SKIN Bright & Even Peel, after testing it on her own hyperpigmentation-laden, acne-prone skin (plus asking a zillion questions during her appointment).
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
