High-strength AHA/BHA peels are designed to remove the skin's top layer intensively; this is why who uses them, and under what conditions, matters as much as the product itself. For someone who wants to start acid care at home, this category is not the right starting point.
In short: A high-strength AHA/BHA peel is not for people new to acid care, for sensitive and dry skin, or for skin that is irritated, sunburnt or has recently had a procedure. Red Velvet Face is a rinse-off peel whose box states “For professional use only.” It is for normal and oily skin accustomed to acid care, is rinsed off thoroughly with water after 5–10 minutes and is used on no more than one evening a week. To begin acid care, instead of a high-strength peel, you can start with Red Of Love (no more than 2 times a week), Glyc-Alright or Rice Rice Baby, which contains no exfoliating acids.
Who is a high-strength AHA/BHA peel not for?
A high-strength peel is not suitable for people new to acid care, for sensitive or dry skin, or for skin whose barrier is weakened at the time. The table below shows what to do in each situation and which product in the s'hevec range you can start with.
| Situation | What to do | Starting option at s'hevec |
|---|---|---|
| You are new to acid care | Choose a beginner-level product used infrequently | Red Of Love (no more than 2 times a week) or Glyc-Alright (a few evenings a week) |
| Your skin is very sensitive | Leave exfoliation out of your routine for now | Rice Rice Baby (no AHA or BHA for exfoliation; sensitive skin is among the skin types recommended on its label) |
| Your skin is dry | Keep the frequency low and put the hydration step first | Rice Rice Baby; dry skin is not listed on Glyc-Alright's label, so if you use it, 1–2 evenings a week |
| Your skin is irritated, sunburnt or has recently had a procedure | Do not apply any acid product; wait until the skin has fully calmed down | None during this period; a simple moisturiser and sun protection |
| You are considering a more intensive peel | The next level for normal and oily skin that has been using acid products for a while without problems; otherwise continue with Red Of Love | Red Velvet Face (no more than once a week) |
In the records of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more serious reactions are seen most often with these “skin peeler” products that contain acid at high concentrations.
How is Red Velvet Face used, and what does the box say?
Red Velvet Face AHA + BHA Peel Serum is a rinse-off peel containing AHAs and BHA; its box carries the following information:
- Usage statement: “For professional use only.”
- Method of application: it is applied in a thin layer, left on for 5–10 minutes and rinsed off thoroughly with water.
- Frequency: no more than 1 evening a week.
- Sun warning: because AHAs can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun, the box carries a warning about sun exposure.
- Eye warning: the product is kept away from the eye area. In case of contact with eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.
Red Velvet Face was designed for normal and oily skin that has been using acid products for a while without problems. In the week it is applied, do not use retinol or any other acid product; do not put it in the same week as Red Of Love either. Step-by-step directions are on the product page.
What is the difference between a practitioner peel and an at-home acid product?
A chemical peel performed by a practitioner is a procedure in which a chemical exfoliant is applied under controlled conditions; acid products used at home, on the other hand, are formulated for infrequent, gradual use. A 2024 review of advances in chemical peels describes the method as a procedure used for cosmetic purposes or for some skin conditions and stresses that, despite its long history of use, understanding of the science behind it is still developing. According to the FDA, how much exfoliation an AHA product provides depends on the type of acid, its concentration, the pH of the product and the other ingredients in the formula. The table below compares s'hevec's two rinse-off peels for use at home.
| Feature | Red Of Love | Red Velvet Face |
|---|---|---|
| Usage statement | Beginner and intermediate level | Advanced level; for professional use only. |
| Application | Rinsed off thoroughly with water after 5–10 minutes | Rinsed off thoroughly with water after 5–10 minutes; applied in a thin layer |
| Frequency | No more than 2 times a week | No more than once a week |
| Skin type | Combination, normal, oily | Normal, oily; skin accustomed to acid care |
| Not for | Very sensitive skin | People new to acid care, sensitive and dry skin |
A product does not automatically become “better” as its concentration rises; the right product is the one that matches your skin's tolerance today. You can find both peels, alongside the rice peel-off mask, in our peels and masks collection.
Which product can beginners start with?
Instead of a high-strength peel, beginners can start with a beginner-level acid product used infrequently; on very sensitive skin, you can start with a step that contains no exfoliating acids.
- Red Of Love AHA + BHA Peel Serum: a rinse-off peel containing AHAs and BHA; pH 3.6–3.9; beginner and intermediate level, no more than 2 evenings a week. Our guide how to use an AHA BHA peel serum step by step explains how to apply it and how long to leave it on.
- Glyc-Alright Glycolic Acid Toner: 7% glycolic acid and 2% niacinamide, pH 3.5–4.0; a leave-on toner applied in the evening with a cotton pad. Start with a few evenings a week; dry skin is not listed on its label, so if you use it on dry skin, 1–2 evenings a week.
- Rice Rice Baby Brightening Rice Toner: 5% rice extract and 3% niacinamide, pH 5.5–6.5; the formula contains no AHA or BHA for exfoliation. It is used morning and evening on sensitive, dry and normal skin; it does not exfoliate.
Whichever you choose, try it on a small area before first use; you will find the steps in our article how to do a patch test. Burning that continues after rinsing, redness that lasts into the next day or noticeable peeling shows that the product you chose, or its frequency, is too much for your skin; take a break from that product. Before fitting more than one acid product into the same week, look at the weekly plan in our article how often to do a chemical peel.
What a high-strength peel does not do
- It works on the surface of the skin; it does not correct the look of pitted scars and deep wrinkles.
- It does not replace peel procedures performed by a doctor.
- Increasing the frequency does not speed up results.
- It does not replace sun protection; on the contrary, it makes sun protection more important during the period it is used.
Frequently asked questions
Can a high-strength peel be used at home?
Yes, but not by everyone. Red Velvet Face was designed for normal and oily skin that has been using acid products for a while without problems: it is applied in a thin layer, rinsed off thoroughly with water after 5–10 minutes and used on no more than one evening a week. Its box states “For professional use only.” The directions on the box are what count; do not exceed the recommended number of applications or the waiting time.
After Red Velvet Face, when can you go back to Red Of Love?
Not within the same week. Do not use Red Of Love and Red Velvet Face together; do not put them in the same week either. Do not add any acid product until the skin has calmed down; when you do go back, do not layer Red Of Love with retinol or another exfoliant on the same evening.
Is a higher-strength peel more effective?
Concentration alone does not tell you that. The degree of exfoliation also depends on the type of acid, the pH of the product and the rest of the formula; as concentration rises, so does the likelihood that the skin will react. At home, the measure is the gentlest product that matches your skin's tolerance today.
Can a high-strength peel be used on children?
No. The FDA advises that products containing BHA should not be used on babies and children.
How long should you keep up sun protection after an AHA peel?
AHAs can increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun: apply sunscreen every morning while using this product and for one week after you stop. The background to the FDA's warning on this is explained in our article on glycolic acid and sun sensitivity.
Can you have an AHA/BHA peel during pregnancy?
Red Velvet Face and Red Of Love are peels that contain both AHAs and BHA. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a skin condition, consult your doctor before use.
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Alpha Hydroxy Acids.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Beta Hydroxy Acids.
- Landau M et al. Update on Chemical Peels. Dermatol Clin. 2024.
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. s'hevec products are cosmetic products and are not intended for medical treatment. It was prepared by the s'hevec Team on the basis of the s'hevec product data library and the sources listed above.
