An in-office chemical peel can brighten and smooth your skin, but it can also require some serious downtime while your face sloughs off. Often, an at-home peel is a better option.

"The world thinks of peels and relates them to flaking," says New York City dermatologist Dennis Gross, MD, also the founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare. However, peels -- especially at-home peels -- aren't necessarily about exfoliation, he says. "They gently detach dead skin and debris from the surface level of the skin and immediately remove old, dull skin, exfoliate, rejuvenate, brighten and make skin appear younger in just two minutes."

In addition, at home peels can help your other skin care ingredients -- like vitamins, antioxidants and wrinkle fighters -- work better. "The skin is more receptive [after a [peel]," explains Gross. And these new at-home peels require absolutely no downtime.

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In-office milk peels are wildly popular in Asia, and they inspired the Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Milk Peel, $42. The creamy liquid contains coconut milk and a blend of acids so it simultaneously nourishes while it peels away dead skin cells. It even comes with special cotton pads -- one side is gentle enough for sensitive skin while the other gives you maximum exfoliation.

If you're looking for a peel you can use every single day, Perricone MD Blue Plasma Gentle Daily Peel, $98, is it. The formula contains hyaluronic acid and botanicals to hydrate and plump the skin, while special exfoliating ingredients target only dead cells and impurities.

While Dr. Gross believes in daily peeling, he also thinks skin benefits from a more intense peel every now and then. Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Mini-Spa Peel, $110, contains a blend of 15(!) acids, and it's designed to be used once a week. Step one comes in a pre-soaked pad, and creates a gratifying tingle. Step two is a firming, milky serum that neutralizes the acids and moisturizes.

Alba Botanica Good and Clean Pore Purifying Mini peel, $5.99, contains a blend of alpha hydroxy acids and natural fruit acids to exfoliate and clean skin. It's extremely gentle yet you feel an immediate difference in skin texture after you use it.