#Fashion

Your Official Guide to the Best Chemical Peels


Aida Badji

I know the words “chemical peel” might sound extremely scary to some. To be perfectly honest with you, I, too, was someone who got major anxiety even thinking about getting one until I started seeing my amazing esthetician Caroline Godsick. Before I went to her, I thought a peel would be the worst thing I could do for my rough, dehydrated, barrier-damaged skin, but Godsick assured me this was not the case. She recommended that I do a series of VI Peels. “Peels tend to have a stigma around them being painful or difficult to manage and I think [Vitality Institute] has done an excellent job with making the experience a comfortable and easy process,” she says. “Whether you struggle with fine lines and wrinkles, acne and acne scarring, hyperpigmentation or melasma, VI peels promote overall smoother skin texture by refining pores, controlling oil, and stimulating collagen production. I believe most people can benefit from a peel. As I like to say, ‘Out with the old and in with the new!'”

Vitality Institute has several different peels that suit every skin type and need, but the series of peels I received were called Purify With Precision Plus, which is great for those who struggle with acne or dark spots. Vitality Institute founder Marya Khalil, MD shared a bit more about the different peels the brand offers and why the VI peel was created. “The VI Peel was created by my father, Dr. Khalil, as a solution to my hormonal cystic acne at a time when aesthetic skincare treatments were not safe for people of color. So in essence, the VI Peel was created for people of color, and of course, everyone else! We have six different VI Peels, all designed to correct a wide range of skin concerns, including pigment (like melasma and sun damage), acne and acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, texture, and more. It’s completely painless and safe and effective for all skin types and tones.”