A Review of Chemical Peels for Acne Treatment

To learn what causes acne, please read, "What Causes Acne?"

Common chemicals used to control acne include glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid are available without a prescription. Glycolic acid has recently been allowed for over-the-counter use and weaker solutions of glycolic acid are now available without a prescription.

Chemical peels work by chemically burning off the top layer of skin. This process kills bacteria associated with acne and is highly effective. There is no risk of increasing antibiotic resistance since these chemicals simply burn the bacteria. These chemical burns are the equivalent of unprotected sun exposure and increase UV penetration to the skin. This mode of action can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer similar to chronic sunburns. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required that recommendation of sunblock or sun avoidance be printed clearly on packages to protect consumers of these risks.^[1] However, since this is not required by law, it is up to the manufacturer to place these warnings on the package. In addition, when chemicals are used improperly by consumers, chemical burns may result and often require addition medical attention to treat the chemical burn. Furthermore, chronic chemical burns to the face may lead to premature aging and skin cancer.

The 'tingling' that you feel when using acne control products that chemically remove a layer of skin is NOT simply "deep cleaning". It is the mild pain associated with chemically burning off a layer of living tissue. This layer of living tissue is the layer the contains cells that protect your skin from UV radiation, dehydration and block bacteria and environmental toxins from entering your skin and causing contact dermatitis, or acne symptoms. The mode of action is similar to unprotected sun exposure: a sunburn.