Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle
  • News
    • All Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
    • Future Of Fashion
    • All Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
    • All Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
    • All Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
    • All Lifestyle
    • Astrology
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
    • Well, Well, Well
    • All Politics & Social Issues
    • President Joe Biden
    • Dr. Jill Biden
    • Vice President Kamala Harris
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Moms
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Career
    • Charity
  • About InStyle

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • If the Coastal Grandmother Trend Isn't for You, How About Its Alternative, Fancy Grandma?

      If the Coastal Grandmother Trend Isn't for You, How About Its Alternative, Fancy Grandma?

      It's just as comfy but a tad more exciting. Read More
    • It Seems Like Everyone Has False Lashes These Days — Here's Why

      It Seems Like Everyone Has False Lashes These Days — Here's Why

      There's a reason why they're trending. Read More
    • 8 Ways to Wear a Sheer Lace Dress, According to Stylists

      8 Ways to Wear a Sheer Lace Dress, According to Stylists

      The pros are weighing in on this trick, celeb-loved trend. Read More
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion
    This Easy Guide Is the Trick to Finding Your Signature Fashion Color

    This Easy Guide Is the Trick to Finding Your Signature Fashion Color

    It's all about your skin's undertones.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
    • Future Of Fashion
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity
    The Best Beauty Looks From The 2022 Met Gala Scream Gilded Age

    The Best Beauty Looks From The 2022 Met Gala Scream Gilded Age

    Big hair, tiaras, and gold lids — oh my!
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty
    The Dos and Don'ts of Mixing Skincare Ingredients

    The Dos and Don'ts of Mixing Skincare Ingredients

    Plus, when and how to use them.
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair
    How to Get the Wet Look Without Making Your Hair Feel Crunchy

    How to Get the Wet Look Without Making Your Hair Feel Crunchy

    It's really quite simple.
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
    • All Natural
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle
    The One Nail Polish Color Your Zodiac Sign Should Wear for Taurus Season — and Why

    The One Nail Polish Color Your Zodiac Sign Should Wear for Taurus Season — and Why

    Leos should wear glitter, of course.
    • Astrology
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
    • Well, Well, Well
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues
    50 Badass Change Makers

    50 Badass Change Makers

    The world may feel heavy at the start of 2022, but this list of change makers has us optimistic for brighter days to come.
    • President Joe Biden
    • Dr. Jill Biden
    • Vice President Kamala Harris
    • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Moms
    • Equal Pay
    • Badass Women
    • Career
    • Charity
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture
    17 Unforgettable Rachel Green Outfits You Could (and Should) Still Wear Today

    17 Unforgettable Rachel Green Outfits You Could (and Should) Still Wear Today

    From plaid skirts to slip dresses, we're ready to copy it all.
  • About InStyle

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Beauty
  3. Skin
  4. This Under $30 Product Is the Secret to Smooth Skin

This Under $30 Product Is the Secret to Smooth Skin

victoria-moorhouse-headshot - Victoria Moorhouse
By Victoria Moorhouse Updated Feb 21, 2018 @ 3:45 pm
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Face Peels Under $30
Credit: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

We're don't disagree. If you don't know what an at-home "facial peel" is, the concept sounds downright terrifying. But calm down, it's not that dramatic. Peel is just another phrase used to describe a more intense exfoliation process, or removing dead skin cells to leave you with a smoother, clearer, and glowy complexion. And if you follow directions and consult with a dermatologist about the types of products that work best on your skin type, you won't encounter the same red, flaky, and painful situation that Samantha Jones did in Sex and the City.

At-home peels utilize chemical exfoliators, or acids, to gently break down dead skin cells that could potentially clog your pores, or contribute to a rough texture. And from pads to masks to liquids, there are a ton of different forms. Best part? You don't have to sacrifice your budget—you can find many for under $30. Here, we rounded up a few that are super affordable and effective.

Start Slideshow

1 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Mini

DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Mini
Credit: Courtesy
$17
shop it

We've already covered the fact that "peel" is an intimidating word, but these peel pads are so gentle, they're designed for daily use. And thanks to the 1, 2 step system, they couldn't be easier to use. The first step is wiping the acid-soaked pad over your face. Thanks to a mix of ingredients like glycolic, salicylic acid, and malic acid, your pores are cleared out, and dead skin cells are removed from the surface. Then, the second step, which consists of another pad, delivers anti-aging ingredients to your skin, while quickly neutralizing the acid activity. The whole system should take you a total of three minutes—tops! 

1 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

MARIO BADESCU Rolling Cream Peel with A.H.A.

MARIO BADESCU Rolling Cream Peel with A.H.A.
Credit: Courtesy
$18
shop it

OK, this might be the weirdest peel you ever use. You apply it as you would a face mask, and then wait 60 seconds. Then, you gently massage your face using your fingers, and the mask should break down into pills, which have attached to dead skin cells. The clay, the second ingredient in the lineup, detoxifies and cleanses your skin, while soaking up oils, while the lactic acid gently exfoliates. 

2 of 6

3 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pixi By Petra Glow Peel Pads

Pixi By Petra Glow Peel Pads
Credit: Courtesy
$22
shop it

You're going to want to stock pile these pads. Enriched with 20 percent glycolic acid, you get a gentle but incredibly effective exfoliation, which in turn speeds up cellular renewal, and ample hydration, thanks to the refreshing inclusion of rosewater. 

3 of 6

Advertisement

4 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

SATURDAY SKIN Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel

SATURDAY SKIN Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
Credit: Courtesy
$28
shop it

Do you know how to use a cleanser? Then you know how to use this peel. Gel based, it applies like any cleanser would, and all you need to do to activate its exfoliating papaya-rich formula is gently massage your face. Rinse with water and you're set. 

4 of 6

5 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
Credit: Courtesy
$14
shop it

Ingredient conscious? This mask is made with the power of fruit acids, including those found in passion fruit, lemon, grape, and pineapple, to exfoliate and smooth your skin, while evening out your skin tone in the process. 

5 of 6

6 of 6

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

MURAD Hydro-Glow Aqua Peel

MURAD Hydro-Glow Aqua Peel
Credit: Courtesy
$13 for 1 Mask
shop it

This peel gives you an excuse to sheet mask and chill. The first step is swiping a pad, infused with acids to exfoliate, over your skin. Then, you apply a sheet mask pumped with hydrating and soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe, for about 15 minutes to finish off the process. It's also one of the more travel-friendly options. 

6 of 6

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Victoria Moorhouse

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 6 DR. DENNIS GROSS SKINCARE Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Mini
    2 of 6 MARIO BADESCU Rolling Cream Peel with A.H.A.
    3 of 6 Pixi By Petra Glow Peel Pads
    4 of 6 SATURDAY SKIN Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
    5 of 6 REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
    6 of 6 MURAD Hydro-Glow Aqua Peel

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    InStyle

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Accolades Licensing
    • Content Licensing

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithInStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright InStyle. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

    View image

    This Under $30 Product Is the Secret to Smooth Skin
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.