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Storytime: My late husband Florian used to have a large brown spot on the side of his face. It was probably from sun damage, and as a practicing esthetician, I had a little personal vendetta against that brown spot. We would sit on the couch at night and watch TV, and he would allow me to apply either exfoliating acids, a vitamin C serum, or a prescription lightening cream containing hydroquinone. While these certainly helped, the most significant difference I’ve ever seen in this patch of brown was always right after he shaved his face with a razor. Simply sliding a razor across the face would literally lighten it by about 30% instantly! The brown spot looked so much lighter, and of course this beautician was happy! (And for a man who didn’t care too much about his skin, he was impressed, too.)
In my 30+ years as an esthetician, this was just one of many examples that have proven the importance of physical exfoliation when it comes to hyperpigmentation fading. In this post, I explain the two-step peeling process, why it works, and how you can use it to fade stubborn dark spots on your face.
What is the 2-step peeling method?
The two steps are simple; The first is chemical exfoliation (like exfoliating acids) and the second is physical exfoliation (like facial scrubs).
A lot of people overlook physical peels because they get a bad rap, but I firmly believe it the benefits of a facial scrub! And using chemical and physical peels in tandem is crucial if you want to fade hyperpigmentation on your face.
While both acids and peels exfoliate the skin, they do so through different mechanisms. Acids lower the skin’s pH to dissolve the keratin, or the “glue” that holds dry, dead, and discolored cells to the skin’s surface. Physical peels, on the other hand, actually lift these loosened cells to reveal the bright, new cells underneath. Using both will give you a more complete exfoliation.
This two-step exfoliation method is so good at fading the look of hyperpigmentation (whether it’s from sun damage, hormones, or post-pimple spots) that I often use it in my professional facials, too. Every single one of my facials starts with a chemical peel to loosen and dissolve dead skin cells, but to really remove those cells I follow with a physical peel.
How to fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation at home
Before attempting the two-step exfoliation method at home, you need to decide which products you want to use. For your chemical peel, I recommend using either a chemical peel or an exfoliating acid serum your skin type. For your body exfoliation, the key is finding a well-formulated facial scrub that is gentle on the skin. Look for one with perfectly round, biodegradable beads – not the abrasive seed and shell grains so often used.
Because I’ve seen such great results with the two-step exfoliation method on professional facials, I’ve created products to replicate these results at home. Our bestseller Triple Berry Smoothing Peel is a chemical peel that provides professional results at home and is suitable for all skin types. I just started that too Triple Berry Smoothing Scrub as a by-product. It is a gentle, antioxidant-rich exfoliant that brightens and smoothes the skin with each use.
How to use Triple Berry Peel and Scrub together
Before using the scrub and scrub together, use each one separately to ensure both products match your skin. New products should always be introduced individuallyIn this way you can localize the cause of a reaction.
Begin by introducing the shell. Then, wait 2-3 days before trying the scrub. If all goes well, you can use them together!
Here’s how. Apply the peeling and leave it on for 5-10 minutes, depending on your preference. Rinse it off with cold water. Then apply a nickel-sized amount of the scrub to slightly damp skin. Massage gently over your skin in circular motions, focusing on pigmented areas. After you rinse off the scrub, you’re ready to do it Make it an at-home facial by using a moisturizing mask, or you can simply continue with your normal skincare routine.
If you have sensitive skin, you can split these steps up by using the scrub the day after the scrub.
Other ways to incorporate the 2-step peel into your routine
While using exfoliation and exfoliation at the same time is a great way to get a lighter, more even complexion, it shouldn’t be done more than once a week. However, you can still use the 2-step peeling method in other parts of your routine to fade dark spots.
I recommend most people exfoliate 2-4 nights a week, depending on their skin’s needs – those who are more prone to clogged pores and pimples usually need to exfoliate more frequently. On exfoliating nights, use your Exfoliating Acid Serum. However, to ensure you’re properly removing the dead cells loosened by your serum, on one of those nights, replace the body scrub with a face scrub. If you have oily skin prone to clogged pores (eg skin type 1 or skin type 3), you can sneak in some extra physical exfoliation by using an exfoliant as one of your morning cleanses.
There you have it – a two-step exfoliation method that works wonders on stubborn hyperpigmentation! Trust me, I’ve seen the results with my own eyes and they speak for themselves. If you have hyperpigmentation from sun damage, previous breakouts, or conditions like melasma, using both chemical and physical peels is your best bet!
Next, Here’s everything you need to know about using exfoliating acids.
Famous beautician and skincare expert
An esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skincare expert has created a real solution – products formulated for nine different skin types to give your face exactly what it needs to look and feel good. Celebrities, editors, bloggers and skincare enthusiasts around the world trust her extensive real-world knowledge and ongoing research. Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”