Moisturizer After a 20% Peel

After a chemical peel, you may find that your skin needs a heavier moisturizer than normal for the first 2 weeks. The moisturizing options are endless, but it helps to follow a few guidelines:

The vegetable oils you ask about can be effective, but you may find that they are too "greasy" and not cosmetically elegant. In addition, some plant derived products can react with the skin to cause a contact dermatitis.

I would recommend, at a minimum, a fragrance free moisturizer specifically formulated for sensitive skin since your skin will be a bit more reactive in the first 2 weeks after a peel.

Ideally, you would use a product with an active ingredient that could help promote faster healing, such as Neocutis BioCream with PSP.

The same applies after a laser treatment or sunburn as well.

Not a whole lot needs to be done after a 20% glycolic peel. A good moisturizer like cetaphil cream vanicream , elta MD post peel  usually do fine. I woul dstay away from more than a few applications of a vegetable oil or vaseline because you migfht form little acne like bumps from these products. 

A glycolic 20% peel is a very superficial peel. It is effective and safe for superficial sun damage and mild acne scarring. You should prepare your skin before by not using retin-a or other retinol creams for 3-4 days. After the peel you should use a gentle moisturizer that is non comedogenic (does not block pores) and fragrance free. Cetaphil is a good gentle one to try. Good luck with the peel!

Ask your doctor, the appropriate moisturizer depend on the type of skin.................................

Moisturizers applied directly after a peel may reduce the effectiveness of a peel. Some anecdotal case reports have indicated that it is best to wait up to 30 minutes after a peel to apply a moisture lotion. 

In my office, after doing a glycolic acid peel our aestheticians recommend using either Epidermal Repair Cream by SkinCeuticals or Lipid Recovery Cream by Glytone.