Is It Better to Exfoliate More? Types of Peels and How to Choose Based on Skin Concerns｜Hongdae Peeling

If you keep exfoliating dry skin whenever dead skin cells appear, your skin may become even drier and more sensitive.

PHA is a peeling ingredient with a relatively large molecular size that works slowly on the skin surface and can help maintain moisture while exfoliating dead skin cells.

Using PHA ingredients, it aims to refine the skin surface while also providing hydration and skin barrier care.

For hydrated-looking skin before an important event, peeling is not a treatment that simply strips away the skin aggressively, but a treatment that removes unnecessarily accumulated dead skin cells and sebum and helps promote smooth skin turnover.

Because the mechanism and purpose differ depending on the type of peel, applying the same peel to dry skin, acne-prone skin, and oily skin is not appropriate.

The key distinctions are as follows.

• Sensitivity + rough skin texture + dead skin cells → LHALA Peel

• Dull skin tone + skin texture + radiance → Filorga Peel

• Dryness + dead skin cells + hydrated glow → PHA Goddess Glow Peel

• Sebum + whiteheads·blackheads → Aqua Peel

• Acne + excessive sebum + blackheads → Black Peel

• Rough skin + keratosis pilaris·chicken skin → Aladdin Peel

• Reduced elasticity + dull skin texture → Pink Peel

Therefore,

“Which peel is the best?”

Rather than asking this, it is important to choose based on what needs to be removed and what needs to be improved in your skin right now.

What Exactly Is a Skin Peel?

Peeling is a treatment that removes unnecessary dead skin cells accumulated on the skin surface to promote smooth skin turnover and improve concerns such as skin texture·skin tone·sebum·pores.

Dead skin cells are produced at regular intervals and naturally shed.

However, if sebum production is high or skin turnover is not functioning smoothly, old dead skin cells can accumulate on the skin surface or around the pores.

When dead skin cells do not shed properly, the skin can appear rough and dull, and sebum drainage can be obstructed, creating an environment where whiteheads, blackheads, and closed comedones can easily form.

Peeling removes these unnecessary dead skin cells and helps the skin maintain its normal regeneration cycle.

However, not all peels aggressively strip the skin.

There are different types depending on the purpose, ranging from methods that gently exfoliate dead skin cells using ingredients such as LHA·PHA, to methods that actively stimulate regeneration using microneedles, and methods that suction sebum and impurities from inside the pores.

Should I Get a Peel If I Have a Lot of Dead Skin Cells on My Face?

If dead skin cells repeatedly accumulate, making the skin rough and causing makeup to appear flaky, peeling can help. However, if the flaking is caused simply by dryness, hydration and skin barrier care should take priority over aggressive exfoliation.

Visible dead skin cells do not always need to be removed.

If there is excessive sebum and old dead skin cells are clogging the pores, exfoliating the dead skin cells can help.

On the other hand, if the skin is severely dry and flaking, repeatedly scrubbing or using strong peels can further weaken the skin barrier.

Therefore, it is important to distinguish the cause of the dead skin cells.

• Sebum + old dead skin cells + clogged pores → Sebum·dead skin cell care

• Dryness + rough skin texture → Low-irritation peel + hydration

• Sensitivity + dead skin cells → Relatively low-irritation peel such as LHALA Peel

• Dead skin cells + deep dryness + roughness → PHA-based peel

Can Sensitive Skin Receive a Peel?

If aggressive peeling is too harsh for your skin, a mildly acidic peel such as LHA that works relatively slowly can be used.

LHALA Peel primarily uses LHA to gently exfoliate dead skin cells on the skin surface.

Rather than focusing on rapidly stripping the skin like conventional strong acidic peels, it is used to refine dead skin cells and skin texture while also managing the skin barrier and oil-moisture balance.

It can be selected particularly when stinging or dryness after peeling is a concern or when the skin easily becomes sensitive.

Sensitivity + dead skin cells → LHALA Peel

Sensitivity + skin texture → LHALA Peel

Dullness + skin barrier care → LHALA Peel

How Is LHALA Peel Different from Regular Peels?

LHALA Peel is a mildly acidic peel that uses LHA to exfoliate dead skin cells relatively slowly while also managing skin texture, skin tone, and oil-moisture balance.

LHALA Peel differs from methods that simply strip the skin surface aggressively.

LHA has oil-soluble properties and is used to manage sebum and dead skin cells. Because it works relatively slowly on the skin, it can be selected when the irritation of strong peels is a concern.

Once dead skin cells are removed, the previously rough skin surface can become smoother and a dull-looking skin tone may appear more even.

It is particularly useful during seasonal transitions, when the skin easily becomes dry and sensitive while dead skin cells also begin to appear, and gentle skin texture care is needed rather than aggressive peeling.

Which Peel Is Suitable If My Skin Is Dull and Makeup Does Not Apply Well?

If old dead skin cells make your skin tone appear dull and cause makeup to appear flaky, a peel such as Filorga Peel that refines dead skin cells and skin texture on the skin surface can be considered.

When unnecessary dead skin cells accumulate on the skin surface, light does not reflect evenly from the skin, which can make the face appear dull and rough.

Filorga Peel uses gluconolactone to remove old dead skin cells and is used to smooth skin texture and skin tone.

In particular,

if your overall complexion appears dull

your skin texture is rough

your makeup does not adhere smoothly

and you want to manage skin texture and radiance before an important event

a peel that refines the skin surface can be used.

Can I Get a Peel If My Skin Is Dry?

If you have dry skin, rather than aggressively removing dead skin cells, if exfoliation is your concern, a PHA-based peel can be considered.

For dry skin, peeling is less about ‘how much skin is removed’ and more about ‘how much moisture is maintained while exfoliating dead skin cells.’

Which Peel Is Suitable If I Have Many Closed Comedones?

If sebum and dead skin cells clog the pore openings and cause recurring whiteheads and closed comedones, Aqua Peel, which removes sebum and impurities from inside the pores, or a peel focused on sebum care can be used.

Closed comedones often occur when sebum and dead skin cells cannot be properly released from inside the pores.

In this case, rather than simply scrubbing the skin surface, it is important to remove the sebum and dead skin cells accumulated inside the pores as well.

Aqua Peel uses a water solution and suction to remove sebum·impurities·whiteheads·blackheads from inside the pores while providing hydration.

Therefore, rather than inflammatory acne, it is useful for ‘clogged pore concerns’ such as

• Bumpy closed comedones

• Whiteheads

• Blackheads on the nose and butterfly zone

• Pores clogged due to excessive sebum

.

Can Blackheads Be Removed with Aqua Peel?

Aqua Peel gently removes and suctions sebum and impurities from inside the pores, so it can be used to manage blackheads·whiteheads on the nose and butterfly zone.

Blackheads are not simply black dirt on the skin.

They are open comedones that appear black because sebum accumulated inside the pores is exposed to the air and oxidizes.

Repeatedly squeezing them forcefully with your hands or an extraction tool can irritate the area around the pores.

Because Aqua Peel gently removes sebum and dead skin cells before suctioning them, the key is to manage sebum·blackheads·whiteheads simultaneously while smoothing the skin surface.

However, blackheads can form again as long as sebum production continues, so it is not a treatment where ‘removing them once makes them disappear permanently.’

Which Peel Is Suitable for Acne-Prone Skin?

If you have high sebum production and recurring closed comedones·blackheads·acne, a trouble-focused peel such as Black Peel that manages both sebum and dead skin cells inside the pores can be considered.

Acne-prone skin has an environment where pores are easily clogged as both sebum production and dead skin cells increase.

Black Peel is based on fermented black vinegar and uses organic acids and salicylic acid to manage old dead skin cells and sebum.

In particular,

if your face easily becomes oily

you have many blackheads and whiteheads

closed comedones repeatedly occur

and your pores are frequently clogged due to sebum

a peel focused on sebum and pore care is more direct than a simple moisturizing peel.

However, if large, painful inflammatory·pustular acne repeatedly occurs, an approach that treats the acne itself should be used together rather than relying on peeling alone.

What Is the Difference Between Aqua Peel and Black Peel?

Aqua Peel is closer to a cleansing treatment that directly removes sebum and blackheads from inside the pores, while Black Peel is a peel that manages both skin turnover and the sebum environment in skin with recurring dead skin cells·sebum·breakouts.

Both are used for sebum and pore concerns, but their purposes differ.

• Concerned about blackheads on the nose → Aqua Peel

• Many whiteheads·closed comedones → Aqua Peel

• Excessive sebum and recurring acne → Black Peel

• Severe sebum + dead skin cells + blackheads together → Black Peel

In other words, if you want to thoroughly clean the pores once, Aqua Peel can be used, while Black Peel can be considered for skin where sebum and dead skin cells continuously accumulate and breakouts repeatedly occur.

Is Peeling Effective for Chicken Skin?

For keratosis pilaris, where dead skin cells accumulate around the pores and create a bumpy texture on areas such as the arms·legs, a peel such as Aladdin Peel that actively induces exfoliation and skin regeneration can be used.

Keratosis pilaris, commonly called ‘chicken skin,’ is characterized by a bumpy and rough appearance caused by dead skin cells accumulating at the openings of the pores.

Aladdin Peel applies microneedles derived from natural freshwater sponges to the skin, creating microscopic stimulation and inducing exfoliation and regeneration.

It can be used not only on the face but also on rough and bumpy body skin such as the arms·back·buttocks·legs.

In particular,

• Chicken skin on the upper arms

• Rough skin texture on the back

• Keratosis pilaris

• Acne marks and rough skin texture

It can be considered when more active exfoliation·skin texture improvement is needed.

Why Does Aladdin Peel Cause So Much Peeling?

Because Aladdin Peel creates microscopic stimulation in the skin to induce turnover and regeneration, visible peeling can occur over several days after treatment.

Unlike peels such as LHALA Peel or PHA that gently exfoliate dead skin cells, Aladdin Peel utilizes a more active regenerative response.

After treatment, the skin may feel stinging or dry, and dead skin cells may naturally peel off over approximately 5~10 days.

During this time, you should not pick at the peeling skin with your hands or scrub it off.

It is important to moisturize sufficiently and use sun protection until it naturally sheds.

In other words, if you have an important event coming up soon or are concerned about downtime with visible peeling, it is better to choose another peel rather than Aladdin Peel.

Do You Get Peels When Skin Elasticity Decreases?

If you are concerned about mild loss of elasticity together with dull skin texture, Pink Peel, which aims to improve both exfoliation and overall skin condition, can be used.

The main role of peeling is to refine dead skin cells and skin texture, but the treatment purpose can vary depending on the ingredients used.

Pink Peel uses organic acids fermented from kudzu root extract and aims to manage skin texture·hydration·elasticity while exfoliating dead skin cells.

In particular,

if your skin feels rougher than before

your complexion has become dull

you feel that your skin has also lost elasticity

and aggressive peeling or long downtime is a concern

it can be used.

However, its purpose differs from HIFU·radiofrequency lifting treatments that directly lift facial sagging or a poorly defined jawline.

Roughness on the skin surface + mild elasticity care → Pink Peel

Structural sagging of the cheeks·jawline → Lifting treatment

This distinction is accurate.

Does Peeling Also Brighten the Skin Tone?

If the skin appeared dull due to old dead skin cells, the skin tone may appear clearer and more even after peeling as the skin surface is refined.

Peeling does not ‘make the skin white.’

If old dead skin cells accumulate unevenly on the skin surface, light may not reflect evenly, making the skin appear dull and lifeless.

When dead skin cells and skin texture are refined through peeling, the skin surface becomes smoother and the complexion may also appear relatively brighter.

However, when melanin pigmentation itself is the cause, such as melasma·freckles·lentigines, laser treatment that directly targets pigmentation is more direct than repeatedly receiving peels alone.

• Dullness due to dead skin cells → Peeling

• Melasma·freckles·pigmentation → Pigmentation laser

• Dead skin cells + pigmentation together → Combine peeling and pigmentation treatment according to the purpose

Does Peeling Reduce Pores?

If pores appear enlarged due to accumulated sebum and dead skin cells, they may appear less prominent after peeling as the pores become cleaner. However, enlarged pores caused by reduced elasticity may require a separate collagen regeneration treatment.

There is more than one reason why pores can appear enlarged.

They may appear enlarged because sebum and blackheads fill the pores, or because reduced skin elasticity causes the tissue around the pores to become lax.

Therefore,

• Sebum + blackheads + pores → Aqua Peel·Black Peel

• Dead skin cells + rough skin texture + pores → Skin texture-focused peel

• Enlarged pores + acne scars → Collagen regeneration treatments such as Fraxel·Needle RF

can be distinguished in this way.

Is It Good to Combine Peeling and Laser Toning?

If pigmentation is present together with dead skin cells and rough skin texture, peeling and Laser Toning can be used for different purposes.

Peeling removes dead skin cells and refines skin texture on the skin surface, while Laser Toning targets melanin pigmentation within the skin.

Therefore, if the cause of dull skin is not just one issue but appears in combinations such as

Old dead skin cells + melasma

Rough skin texture + pigmentation

Uneven skin tone + hyperpigmentation

each concern can be approached separately.

Rather than trying to remove deep pigmentation with peeling alone or resolve accumulated dead skin cells and blackheads with toning alone, it is important to distinguish the role of each treatment.

Can I Receive a Skin Booster After Peeling?

If you are concerned about deep dryness·fine lines·pores along with skin texture·dead skin cells, peeling and Skin Booster treatments can be combined for different purposes.

Peeling removes unnecessary dead skin cells from the skin surface.

Skin Boosters focus on improving skin condition such as hydration·regeneration·collagen within the skin.

Therefore,

• Dead skin cells + deep dryness → Peeling + hydration·regeneration Skin Booster

• Rough skin texture + fine lines → Peeling + Rejuran-based treatment

• Skin texture + pores + elasticity → Peeling + Collagen Booster

different concerns can be managed together in this way.

Does Frequent Peeling Make the Skin Thinner?

When peeling is performed at an appropriate strength and interval, it does not necessarily make the skin thinner. However, repeatedly overusing peels and exfoliation can damage the skin barrier.

More peeling does not necessarily mean better skin.

The stratum corneum is not simply unnecessary skin debris; it also helps protect the skin from external irritation and moisture loss.

Therefore, if the skin continues to sting, appear red, or feel dry after peeling and peeling is repeatedly performed anyway, the skin barrier can become weakened.

In particular, using home peels, scrubs, peeling pads, retinol, and similar products excessively at the same time can cause cumulative irritation.

The key to peeling is not to remove all dead skin cells, but to ‘appropriately remove dead skin cells that have accumulated beyond what is necessary.’

Can I Pick Off Peeling Skin After a Peel?

Dead skin cells that peel after treatment should not be picked off by hand or scrubbed. It is better to wait until they naturally shed.

In particular, peels such as Aladdin Peel that actively induce skin regeneration may cause visible peeling after treatment.

Forcibly removing peeling skin can damage skin that has not yet recovered and may cause redness or hyperpigmentation to persist for longer.

Therefore, after peeling,

• Sufficient hydration

• Sun protection

• Stop using scrubs·peeling pads

• Do not pick at peeling skin

• Avoid strong heat exposure such as saunas·hot rooms

are recommended as basic aftercare.

Which Peel Should I Get Before an Important Event?

Immediately before an important event such as a wedding·photo shoot·interview, a peel that gently refines skin texture·hydration·radiance is more suitable than a strong peel that causes significant shedding.

Receiving a strong peel for the first time immediately before an important event in an attempt to make the skin look better can instead be burdensome.

For peels such as Aladdin Peel that involve a post-treatment peeling process, it is better to allow sufficient recovery time.

On the other hand, if the goal is to gently refine the skin surface while improving radiance and hydration, treatments with relatively little downtime, such as Filorga Peel or PHA-based peels, can be used.

• Skin texture·radiance before an important event → Filorga Peel

• Hydration·Water Glow before an important event → PHA Goddess Glow Peel

• Sensitive and rough skin texture → LHALA Peel

• Aladdin Peel requiring active exfoliation → Avoid immediately before an event

How Should I Choose a Peel Based on My Skin Concerns?

Peels should not be selected based on strength, but according to whether your main skin concern is dead skin cells·dryness·sebum·acne·elasticity.

• Sensitive skin with frequent flaking → LHALA Peel

• Dull skin and poor makeup application → Filorga Peel

• Dry, rough skin with flaking → PHA Goddess Glow Peel

• Whiteheads·blackheads·clogged pores → Aqua Peel

• Recurring sebum·closed comedones·acne·blackheads → Black Peel

• Chicken skin and keratosis pilaris on the arms·back → Aladdin Peel

• Rough skin texture + dullness + mild loss of elasticity → Pink Peel

• Melanin pigmentation such as melasma·pigmentation is the main concern → Pigmentation laser

• Depressed acne scars·enlarged pores → Skin regeneration treatments such as Fraxel·Needle RF

Ultimately, the purpose of peeling is not to strip away as much skin as possible.

The key is to appropriately remove unnecessary dead skin cells and sebum to improve skin texture and skin tone and, when pores are clogged, create an environment where sebum can be released smoothly.

Which Peel Is Right for My Skin?

Rather than choosing a peel based only on visible dead skin cells, it is important to consider ‘why the dead skin cells formed’ and choose according to your biggest concern among sebum·hydration·acne·skin texture·elasticity.

Rough skin does not necessarily require a strong peel.

Dry and sensitive skin requires gentle exfoliation and hydration, while oily skin benefits more directly from treatments that remove both sebum and dead skin cells from inside the pores.

On the other hand, skin with thick accumulated keratin, such as chicken skin, may require more active stimulation of turnover.

Therefore, when choosing a peel, it is easier to think about it this way.

Not “Should I peel it off?” but “What problem is currently accumulating in my skin?”

Dead skin cells·sebum·hydration·skin texture should be accurately distinguished and approached accordingly to reduce the chance of the skin becoming more sensitive after peeling while achieving the desired skin changes.

Peeling FAQ

How Often Should I Get a Peel?

The interval varies depending on the type and strength of the peel. Low-irritation peels and active exfoliating peels should not be repeated at the same interval. In particular, it is important to allow sufficient recovery time for peels that cause visible shedding.

Can I Get a Peel If I Have Acne?

Peeling can help with comedonal acne involving whiteheads·blackheads·excessive sebum. However, if large, painful inflammatory·pustular acne repeatedly occurs, acne treatment should be considered together rather than managing it with peeling alone.

Which Is Better for Closed Comedones, Aqua Peel or Black Peel?

If clogged pores with sebum and whiteheads are the main concern, Aqua Peel can be considered. If sebum production is high and dead skin cells·acne also repeatedly occur, Black Peel can be considered.

Which Peel Is Suitable for Sensitive Skin?

If aggressive peeling is a concern, relatively gentle peels such as LHA-based LHALA Peel or PHA-based peels can be considered.

Does Dry Skin Also Need Peeling?

It can be used if old dead skin cells are causing rough skin texture, but aggressive exfoliation should be avoided. For dry skin, PHA-based peels that aim to provide both exfoliation and hydration can be used.

Can Blackheads Disappear After One Peel?

Visible sebum and blackheads can be removed with one treatment, but they can form again as long as sebum production continues. Consistent care together with cleansing·sebum management is important.

Does Peeling Remove Melasma?

Peeling can refine dead skin cells and skin tone, but it is not a treatment that directly removes melasma itself. For pigmentation caused by melanin within the skin, such as melasma, pigmentation treatments such as Laser Toning are more direct.

When Can I Wear Makeup After Peeling?

Daily activities can be resumed relatively quickly after low-irritation peels, but peels such as Aladdin Peel that cause visible shedding require consideration of the recovery period. While the skin is red or stinging, it is better to minimize irritating makeup.

Are Peeling and Aqua Peel the Same?

They share some purposes, but the methods are different. General chemical peels use ingredients to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells and support turnover, while Aqua Peel has the advantage of directly removing sebum and impurities from inside the pores using a solution and suction.

Can My Skin Become Drier After Peeling?

Yes. The skin may temporarily feel dry or tight after exfoliation, so hydration is important. If stinging and dryness continue after peeling, it is better to avoid additional exfoliation.