Beauty 101.(Skin care)

Beauty 101

Home Peels

Brighter skin in three easy steps. By Molly Friedman

To shed their skin, snakes rub up against tree trunks. We humans can get to what lies beneath by using our opposable thumbs to reach for a home peel. OSometimes pores get clogged, and the outer layer of skin becomes irritated, which leads to breakouts and dullness,O says dermatologist Doris J. Day, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. OBy getting rid of that top layer, youOre revealing fresh, cleaner skin.O Exfoliating with a scrub is one way to do it, but at-home peels containing glycolic, lactic, citric, and malic acids (all known as AHAs) and salicylic acid (known as a BHA) penetrate skin more deeply. And while the systems vary, most are intended for once- or twice-weekly use and boil down to two steps: the application of an acid to remove dead skin cells followed by a neutralizer to weaken the acid. After the first time, Oyour skin will look shinier and more taut,O says dermatologist Katie Rodan, adjunct clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine. OAfter four weeks, youOll have a smoother, more radiant complexionONno scratchy trees ...