🧪 A dual-acid professional peel for oily and congested skin — pairing 30% lactic acid with 10% salicylic acid to resurface the surface and clear deep inside the pore in a single service.

Lactic acid works at the stratum corneum level, chemically loosening dead cell bonds for visibly smoother texture and a brighter, more even tone. Salicylic acid takes a different route: oil-soluble by nature, it travels into follicular openings to dissolve the sebaceous debris behind blackheads and congestion — a mechanism surface-only AHAs can't replicate. The gel base keeps application controlled and drip-free around sensitive zones, and lactic acid's larger molecular size moderates penetration depth, supporting a no-downtime outcome clients can schedule before events.

At these professional concentrations, this peel suits clients already acclimated to chemical exfoliation — ideal for a congestion-clearing add-on in an established facial menu rather than a first-peel introduction.

Worth a standing slot in the facial rotation for oily, congested, or texture-focused clients.

• Deep Pore Exfoliation: Salicylic acid's oil-soluble chemistry allows it to travel into pores and follicular openings, dissolving sebaceous debris and providing a deeper pore-clearing effect than surface-only acids. Helps visibly reduce the appearance of clogged pores and blackheads.
• Surface Skin Resurfacing: Lactic acid at 30% concentration chemically loosens the bonds between dead skin cells, enabling controlled removal of the outermost layers of the stratum corneum. Results in a visibly smoother, more refined skin texture after treatment.
• Visible Brightening of Uneven Skin Tone: Lactic acid exfoliates surface proteins and dull, pigment-laden cells, helping to visibly brighten the skin's appearance and even out areas of discoloration or post-blemish marks over a course of treatments.
• Comfortable, Low-Downtime Peel Experience: The gel-based delivery format and the molecular characteristics of lactic acid — a larger AHA molecule with moderate penetration depth — contribute to a peel experience with minimal stinging and without visible post-treatment flaking or peeling, supporting a 'no downtime' outcome suitable for clients with active schedules.
• Antibacterial Action on Congested Skin: Salicylic acid exhibits antibacterial properties within the follicular environment, contributing to a cleaner, less congested appearance in oily and blemish-prone skin types.

Lactic Acid - known as Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA): Present at a manufacturer-confirmed 30% concentration, lactic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that loosens the bonds holding dead skin cells together on the surface of the stratum corneum, enabling their controlled removal through chemical exfoliation. At this concentration, it delivers meaningful surface resurfacing and helps visibly brighten the appearance of uneven skin tone. Lactic acid is a larger AHA molecule than glycolic acid, which limits its penetration depth and contributes to a more comfortable treatment experience with reduced stinging — consistent with the product's 'light peel, no downtime' positioning. Its water-attracting properties also support the appearance of skin hydration following treatment.

Salicylic Acid - known as Beta-Hydroxy Acid (BHA): Present at a manufacturer-confirmed 10% concentration, salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid uniquely suited to congested and oily skin due to its lipophilic (oil-soluble) nature. Unlike AHAs that work primarily on the skin surface, salicylic acid can penetrate into the sebaceous material inside pores and follicular openings, dissolving the buildup that leads to blackheads and congestion. This follicular exfoliation effect — known as comedolytic activity — is significantly stronger than that of AHAs, making salicylic acid the primary pore-clearing agent in this dual-acid formula. At 10% professional-use concentration, it also delivers surface-level exfoliation and supports the appearance of clearer, smoother skin texture.

1. Perform a thorough client consultation to confirm skin type suitability (oily, combination, congested) and screen for contraindications, including active skin conditions, recent use of retinoids, isotretinoin, or other acid-based treatments, and known salicylic acid sensitivity.
2. Cleanse the client's face thoroughly to remove all makeup, oil, and surface impurities, ensuring a clean, prepped skin surface for even acid contact.
3. Perform a pre-peel skin assessment; conduct a patch test on a small area if the client is new to professional chemical peels or has not used salicylic acid-based treatments previously.
4. Apply the Alpha Beta Peel gel evenly to the client's face using a fan brush or gauze, working in sections and avoiding the immediate eye contour, nostrils, and lip line.
5. Allow the peel to process for the dwell time appropriate to the client's skin sensitivity and tolerance, following CIRCADIA's professional protocol guidelines. Monitor the client throughout for signs of excessive erythema or discomfort.
6. Neutralize the peel by applying a neutralizing solution or cool water to the treated areas, ensuring complete removal of the acid from the skin surface.
7. Remove all residual product thoroughly with damp gauze or cotton pads, working gently across the entire treatment area.
8. Apply a post-peel calming serum or barrier-supportive product appropriate for the client's skin type, per CIRCADIA's recommended post-peel aftercare protocol.
9. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF product as the final step before the client leaves the treatment room.
10. Advise the client on home care: daily SPF use, avoidance of additional exfoliating actives for at least 3–5 days, and avoidance of sun exposure, heat, and sweating for 24–48 hours post-treatment.

Service integration and client selection

The 30/10 concentration ratio (30% lactic acid, 10% salicylic acid) makes this a high-strength professional peel requiring client pre-qualification. Ideal candidates are those already acclimated to professional exfoliation services — first-time peel clients may benefit from a lower-concentration introductory peel before progressing to this formulation. For clients with active congestion and visible pore dilation, a pre-peel steam or enzyme treatment can soften surface cell buildup and improve acid contact uniformity, but should only be incorporated if the client's skin barrier is intact and tolerates it. The gel base limits drip and provides good working visibility during application, making controlled application around sensitive zones straightforward. The 'no downtime' positioning supports scheduling this treatment before client events, but a 48-hour buffer is advisable to allow any transient erythema to fully resolve.