• Skin care

Everything You Need to Know About Fruit Acid Peels

Chemical peels have become an integral part of modern skincare routines. Here you can find out everything you need to know about how fruit acid peels work, their benefits and how to use them correctly.

Contents

WHAT IS A CHEMICAL PEEL?

A chemical peel is originally a purely cosmetic treatment in which a solution of various acids is applied to the skin to remove dead skin cells. This can result in smooth, radiant skin and can help in the treatment of acne, hyperpigmentation (pigmentation) and fine lines.

What is a fruit acid peel?
Fruit acids include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). These natural acids originate from fruits, milk, or sugar cane. In skin care, acids such as AHAs are used to exfoliate the skin. Well-known AHAs include glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid. A fruit acid peel for the face exfoliates the top layer of skin, can promote cell renewal, and improve skin texture.

In addition to AHAs, there are other hydroxy acids that are used in chemical facial peels:

  • Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs): A well-known example is salicylic acid. This fruit acid penetrates deep into the pores, dissolves excess sebum, and is particularly suitable for skin prone to blemishes and acne.

  • Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs): Gluconolactone, for example, is a gentle acid known for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties. PHAs are ideal for sensitive skin as they are less irritating.

    These different acids each offer different benefits for the skin and can be combined in specific ways to treat various skin conditions.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND A MECHANICAL EXFOLIANT?

Mechanical or physical exfoliants use abrasive particles to physically exfoliate the skin, while chemical exfoliants use acids to break down the bonds between dead skin cells. Chemical exfoliants are often gentler and more even in their application. Mechanical exfoliants can irritate the skin and cause micro-tears if used improperly, whereas chemical exfoliants work more evenly and in a more controlled manner, resulting in less skin irritation.

For the ultimate skin renewal: highly concentrated, but not aggressive
Highly concentrated fruit acid peels from cosmetic brands, which contain up to 30% AHAs alone, are particularly effective, but can irritate the skin severely. That's why we use a balanced 25% hydroxy acid combination of 13% AHAs, 10% PHA, and 2% BHA in our Active Acids Exfoliating Solution. These concentrations provide effective exfoliation without unnecessarily stressing the skin.

The Active Acids Exfoliating Mask formula contains approximately 10% AHAs, consisting of glycolic acid and lactic acid. These acids help to exfoliate the top layer of skin and improve skin texture. While other chemical peels contain up to 30% AHAs, at DR. EMI ARPA SKIN we prefer a moderate yet effective concentration to avoid severe irritation.
It also contains 10% gluconolactone (PHA), which provides gentle exfoliation and intense hydration. PHAs are less irritating than other hydroxy acids, yet still effective.
Active Acids Exfoliating Mask also contains 2% BHA in the form of salicylic acid. This concentration is the maximum concentration permitted by law for cosmetic facial care products and is particularly effective in treating blemishes.

<p>WAS IST DER UNTERSCHIED ZU EINEM MECHANISCHEN PEELING?</p>
<p>WAS IST DER UNTERSCHIED ZU EINEM MECHANISCHEN PEELING?</p>

ADVANTAGES OF THE ACTIVE ACIDS EXFOLIATION MASK

Triple Exfoliation Effect
The combination of AHA, PHA, and BHA exfoliates the skin on three levels. PHA gently exfoliates the surface, AHA promotes cell renewal in deeper skin layers, and BHA combats impurities. The result is smooth and radiant skin.

Intense Renewal Boost
With a total of 25% hydroxy acids, our chemical peel provides intense skin renewal. 13% AHA, 10% PHA, and 2% BHA deliver fast and visible results for a fresh complexion. This high-dose formula is effective without being aggressive. The formula can also reduce the appearance of acne scars.

Anti-Blemish Action
Salicylic acid (BHA) penetrates the pores and fights impurities. It can be used to support acne treatment and helps refine the complexion. AHAs also help reduce blemishes and can make the skin tone appear more even.

Barrier +
10% prebiotics and postbiotics strengthen the skin barrier, soothe and hydrate the skin, and support the skin microbiome. Arginine can also contribute to hydration and relieve irritation. This care is especially important after using a fruit acid peel on the face to soothe and protect the skin.

HOW TO USE CHEMICAL PEELS AT HOME

  1. Preparation: First, thoroughly cleanse the skin to remove dirt and oil, for example with The Ten Out Of Ten Gel Cleanser. Then dry the face well.
  2. Exfoliation: Apply a thin layer of Active Acids Exfoliating Mask to clean, dry skin. For precise and clean application, use the Precision Pro Treatment Brush. Avoid the lip and eye areas. For the first application, leave on for 1–3 minutes. Advanced users can gradually increase the application time to a maximum of 10 minutes.
  3. Cleansing: After the application time, rinse the scrub thoroughly with lukewarm water.
  4. Moisturizing: Finally, apply a moisturizer such as Barrier Boost CPA Barrier Cream to strengthen the skin barrier.
  5. Sun protection: The next morning and on subsequent days, always use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF 50) and avoid direct sunlight, as hydroxy acids can make the skin more sensitive to light.

    NOTE: Protection from the sun after a fruit acid peel
    While using Active Acids Exfoliating Mask, some people may experience a slight tingling sensation—a sign that the acids are working. After washing off, the skin may appear slightly reddened. Don't worry, this redness usually subsides quickly and will be completely gone by the next morning, leaving your skin looking fresh, radiant, and regenerated.After using a fruit acid peel, it is particularly important to protect your skin from the sun. Fruit acid peels, like AHA peels, contain acids that exfoliate the top layer of skin, which can make the skin more sensitive to UV rays. This is especially true for the face, as these areas are most frequently exposed to the sun.After a chemical peel, it is essential to use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF 50). This protects the freshly exfoliated skin from UV rays and prevents damage such as sunburn and hyperpigmentation. It is advisable to avoid the sun as much as possible in the days following the treatment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Chemical peels, such as fruit acid peels, offer numerous benefits for the skin. They exfoliate the top layer of skin, promote cell renewal, and improve skin texture. Active Acids Exfoliating Mask combines the positive properties of AHAs, PHAs, and BHAs to renew and revitalize the skin. With proper application and subsequent care, an even complexion with immediate glow can be achieved.

FAQ

A fruit acid peel is a chemical peel that uses alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) such as glycolic acid and lactic acid to gently exfoliate the top layer of skin. These acids promote cell renewal and improve the skin's appearance. Originally, these acids were extracted from natural sources such as fruit, milk or sugar cane, but nowadays they are mostly of synthetic or biotechnological origin to ensure consistent quality and effectiveness.

The frequency of use depends on your skin type and the concentration of the peeling. It is recommended to use a fruit acid peel at home once or twice a week. For sensitive skin, it may be advisable to limit use to once a week.

The disadvantages include possible skin irritation, redness and increased sensitivity to UV rays. It is therefore important not to leave the peeling on for longer than 3 minutes when first applying it and to always use sun protection on the following days to protect the skin from damage.

A fruit acid peel exfoliates the skin, promotes cell renewal and can help to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and some acne. It ensures smoother, brighter and more even skin.

During fruit acid peeling, the acids dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells, which are then removed. This promotes cell proliferation (cell turnover), i.e. the skin's renewal process. This supports the migration of new cells to the skin's surface, which can lead to smooth and radiant skin.

Possible side effects may include redness, dryness and a slight burning or tingling sensation during and after application. These effects are usually temporary. More severe irritation may occur if the product is used incorrectly or too frequently. In such cases, the application should be interrupted immediately.

Many users report smoother, brighter skin and an improvement in the appearance of acne, hyperpigmentation and fine lines. However, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and pay attention to skin reactions.

Long-term use of fruit acid peels can lead to a significant improvement in skin texture, reduction of fine lines and an even skin tone. It can also promote the production of collagen, which makes the skin appear firmer.

Fruit acid peels can generally be suitable for all skin types, but people with very sensitive skin or skin conditions such as rosacea should be careful and may need to consult a dermatologist before using a highly concentrated fruit acid peel.

Yes, but it is important to choose products that do not further irritate the skin. Soothing and moisturizing products should be used after a fruit acid peel. Strong active ingredients such as retinoids (e.g. retinal) or other hydroxy acids should be avoided in order to prevent possible irritation.