Peeling gels have started to make a larger splash on the market over the last year. Huda Beauty released WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub which is a light cream. Pyunkang Yul, Klavuu, TonyMoly, Daycell, Mizon, SkinMiso…… Beauty of Joseon, Neogen…. It seems like literally every Kbeauty, Jbeauty, alphabet beauty company has a peeling gel. Michelle Phan even reviewed 3 in 2016 before she quit posting to her blog.
I recently bought the Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel to see if they actually work. Juice Beauty has a spray on exfoliating spray that doesn’t do anything.
Claims
- Moisturize
- Strengthen the Skin Barrier
- Gently Exfoliate
- Remove impurities/dead skin cells
- Minimize Pores
- Great for sensitive skin types
These claims are fairly consistent across the board for peeling gels.
I am an avid user of chemical peels to exfoliate my face and parts of my neck. Some parts of my neck you can’t exfoliate that way at all without irritating that spot. Mechanical exfoliants tend to be over used thus creating areas of irritation. Enter the peeling gels.
Peeling gels were designed to be one of if not the most gentle forms of mechanical exfoliation. Once the gel/solution is put on the skin and rubbed around somehow magically begins to form little peels that freakinly resemble skin. Like a lot of skin in big huge rolls that come off the face.
It looks super impressive.
Don’t think so fast. I can get the exact same thing to happen between two piece of Syran Wrap.
What’s happening?
The ingredients list for the Pyunkang Yul is as follows:
Water, Propylene Glycol, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Quaternium-60, Allantoin, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethyl Urea
What you’ll notice is that there are no peeling agents there. No acids. The closest thing is betaine salicyclate which is derived from beets and is an alternative to beta-hydroxy acid. But BHAs need to stay on the skin for a longer time in order to be active and they don’t produce highly impressive peels that result from this peeling gel, so what’s going on?
It’s actually a pretty easy science experiment. What’s happening is that oil and dirt on your skin is acting as a seed for little balls of glycol and sugar acids [allantoin, betaine salicylate, 1,2-hexanediol]. These balls are going to remove some dead skin, but not as much as it appears.
Instructions are horrible. Apply appropriate amount.
Final Thoughts
- A good option for sensitive skin
- Don’t get excited about the amounts you see ‘peeling’ off, it’s mostly product that’s balling up.
- Your skin does feel plump and smooth afterwards
- Very mild exfoliating abilities
- Better as a moisturizer.
In general, I like this. They’re easy to use. They’re fun to use. My skin doesn’t feel irritated after using it. If feels well moisturized and smoother. It’s not as good as my chemical peels but if you have sensitive skin, this is a great option. For my dry skin this works really well. Just don’t expect it to give you an intense exfoliation, it isn’t going to happen. But for a semi-daily or semi-weekly exfoliation this works. For oily skin, this probably wouldn’t do a thing.
-XOXO-
Andrea
