This time, I’m shaking things up. Instead of asking for my usual glycolic acid peel, I went for the new NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel. It’s the newest treatment offered at Eudelo and a must for all fans of retinol. Because, if the 0.25% retinol in your serums works wonders already, can you imagine what a professional dose can do? Here’s all you need to know about it before you try it too:
What’s The NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel?
NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel is an advanced facial peel that contains a whopping 3% retinol plus a specially developed Retinol Boosting ComplexTM to reduce wrinkles and blemishes, firm skin, and brighten the complexion. The key ingredients are:
Related: The Complete Guide To Retinol: What It Is, What It Does, And How To Use It
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Before The NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel
I love going to the Eudelo clinic in Vauxhall. It’s a charming little place that reminds me more of a hip hotel in East London than a sterile dermatologic clinic. The waiting room is decorated with sleek sofas and coffee tables decked with books on skincare, architecture and wellness. There’s also an open-kitchen area stocked with more herbal infusions than I’ve ever seen in my life.
After waiting for a few minutes, I was ushered into the treatment room. A few routine questions later, I was asked if I’d like to have a Visia scan to assess the state of my skin. If you’re not familiar with a Visia scan, it’s a clever little machine that takes a few pictures of your face and then tells you how sun damaged your skin is, how large your pores are, what areas of your face are the most problematic… Basically, it can figure out all your skin woes so that the therapist can find the best treatment for you.
My Visia scan was pretty good. I just have a little sun damage from all those summer spent in Italy without sunscreen (hey, back then everyone thought sunscreen was only for the beach… I know, I know…) and some congested pores on my nose. The Nostrata ProSystem Retinol Peel helps with both.
The NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel: The Treatment
The NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel was the shortest skincare treatment I’ve ever had. Usually, I have chemical peels as part of facials. This time, the peel was a standalone treatment. I lied down on the bed as the doctor applied vaseline around my nostrils and eyes to protect them and then proceeded to paint the peel all over my face.
Five minutes later, my skin was showing no signs of irritation. No tingling. No stinging. No nothing. So the doctor went in with the second layer. This felt very comfortable too. My skin is pretty tough and can take pretty much anything. If yours is more sensitive than mine, just stop at that one first layer. Please.
The whole process didn’t take more than a few minutes. Then, I was given small samples of serums and moisturisers to use for the following days. I could go home now.
After The NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel
Usually, a peel is applied and removed at the doctor’s office. Not this time. NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel needs to stay on the skin for 8 hours (4 if your skin is sensitive). Only then you can rinse it off.
I spent those eight hours at home with the windows shut to avoid sunlight (not good when you have retinol on your face and can’t put sunscreen on – I was told to put sunscreen on only after rinsing off the peel). Try to avoid close contacts with loved ones too. I had warned Mr BWB not to come too close to me but he’s a cuddler. Two days later, his right cheek was peeling too. lol
For the first couple of days, nothing happens. It’s only on the third day that your skin starts to peel. Only a little bit at first. The fourth and fifth days were the worst. My skin was peeling so much, I had little balls of dead skin cells all over my face. My skin looked a bit red and felt a little tight but it wasn’t painful or anything. Just a tad embarrassing. I’m lucky I work from home most of the time so I didn’t have to go out like that.
The worst part is that you can’t pick or pull at the skin to help it shed. You have to wait for it to shed on its own or you can get scars. 🙁 What you can do, though, is wash your face with a muslin cloth to remove all the little balls of dead skin cells from your face.
A FEW TIPS FROM EUDELO
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF30-50 and avoid direct sunlight for 2-4 weeks
- Use a non-oily moisturiser like La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Fluid (not Ultra Fluid!) 2 or 3 times
- Do not have any other facial treatment for at least 1-2 weeks after your peel
- Resume regular use of Vitamin A products, AHAs and / or bleaching products ONLY after the peeling has stopped.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, pools, sauna and steam rooms until after the peeling has stopped.
NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel: The Results
I swear my skin had never looked better after a peel. It basically removed the entire superficial layer of dead cells on my skin, exposing the newer one underneath. My skin now was as soft as a baby. It had a luminous glow. And the congested pores on my nose looked a lot smaller too. That’s the first thing I noticed actually!
I feel like one session was good enough for me because I don’t have any serious imperfections yet. But to get the most out of the treatment, you should consider completing all the recommended four. They cost £275 each. I know it’s a big investment. But if you’ve got fine lines and wrinkles or acne but are not ready to go for more advanced, invasive procedures yet, the NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel can help.
I know I’ll have another one next year. I don’t want to have peels too often as I don’t strictly need it yet but I definitely prefer this to my usual glycol acid peels. There was more “downtime” but the results were more impressive too. 🙂
Who Should Try This Peel (And Who Shouldn’t)
This isn’t one of those facials you book just because you feel like being pampered on a Friday afternoon. It’s a results-driven peel, and it shows. If you’re someone who’s already used retinol at home and handled it well, you’re in a good position to try it. It’s particularly good if you’re starting to see those first fine lines, your skin feels rough in texture, or you’ve got lingering marks from past breakouts that never seem to fade with your regular skincare.
But let’s be real – not everyone will love this. If your skin reacts to everything under the sun, this peel might push it over the edge. If you’ve got eczema, rosacea, or your skin barrier is already compromised, it’s not the right move. And timing matters: if you’ve got a wedding, a big party, or anything where you’ll be photographed coming up in the next week, save this for later. The peeling stage is not red-carpet material. It’s also not for the pickers – if you can’t keep your hands off peeling skin, you’ll end up doing more harm than good.
The Downtime: What To Expect Day By Day
Downtime is where people get nervous, so let me give you the play-by-play of what really happens:
- Day 1-2: Nothing. You walk out of the clinic, and you’ll probably think, “Wow, I wasted my money, I don’t see a thing.” Your skin looks normal, maybe a little shinier than usual, but that’s it.
- Day 3: The action starts. You’ll notice flakes around your nose and mouth first. Nothing dramatic yet, but enough to make you feel like foundation is not an option.
- Day 4-5: Peak snake mode. We’re talking obvious peeling across the face. It’s not painful, but it is… a look. If you try to cover it with makeup, it clings to every flake and makes it worse. Best to embrace the “I’m regenerating” vibe and stay barefaced.
- Day 6-7: Things start calming down. You’ll still have some peeling in patches, but most of your face starts to reveal that fresh new skin underneath.
- After a week: This is where the magic hits. Your skin feels soft, smooth, and looks brighter. Pores look smaller, and any uneven patches look less obvious.
So yeah, it’s not instant gratification. You need patience – but the payoff is worth it.
Maintenance After The Peel
This is the part people always underestimate. Your skin has just shed its top layer, so it’s fragile and needs TLC. Think of it like new baby skin: it can’t handle your usual army of serums and acids yet. For the first week, you’ll want to strip your routine down to basics. A gentle cleanser, a plain moisturiser (the boring kind with no fragrance or actives), and sunscreen. That’s it. Nothing else.
After the peeling stops, you can slowly reintroduce your active ingredients – retinol, vitamin C, AHAs – but only once your skin feels fully healed. And sunscreen becomes non-negotiable. If you’re not already religious about applying it, now’s the time to become a convert. All the new skin you just revealed is extra vulnerable to sun damage, and skipping SPF would undo all that hard work in one afternoon.
The other thing that helps is hydration. Your skin will drink up moisturiser like never before, so don’t be shy about reapplying throughout the day. I used La Roche Posay’s Toleriane Fluid and slathered it on two or three times daily until my skin stopped begging for more.
The Cost vs The Results
Let’s not pretend £275 is cheap. It’s not. But here’s how I think about it: I’ve easily spent more than that in a year on random serums that promise glowing skin and do very little. This peel gave me results I could actually see after one session – smaller pores, smoother skin, and a glow that stuck around for months.
If you’ve got serious concerns – deep wrinkles, stubborn acne scars, or pigmentation that laughs in the face of your brightening serums – then a course of four peels is recommended. That’s over a thousand pounds, which is a lot, but still far less than more invasive options like lasers or injectables. For me, doing one as a yearly “reset” treatment makes sense. It’s an investment, yes, but one that shows in the mirror every day when I wake up and see that baby-soft skin.
FAQs About The NeoStrata Retinol Peel
Does it hurt?
Nope, not at all. No stinging, no burning, just peeling.
Can I wear makeup after?
Technically yes, but it’ll cling to every flake and make you look worse. Best to wait until the peeling stage is over.
How long do the results last?
A few months for me, especially when I stuck to sunscreen and a simple routine.
How often should I get it?
The clinic recommends four sessions for maximum results, but honestly, even one gave me enough of a boost to be happy.
Is it safe for sensitive skin?
If your skin is extremely sensitive, this probably isn’t the right peel. If you’re only mildly sensitive, you can stop after the first layer instead of going in for the second – but always check with your dermatologist first.
My Honest Pros & Cons
PROS
- The glow is real – skin looks brighter and smoother than with any other peel I’ve tried
- Pores looked noticeably smaller and congestion cleared up
- Results lasted way longer than a standard glycolic peel
CONS
- The “snake shedding” stage is not exactly confidence-boosting
- £275 per session is steep, especially if you’re recommended a full course
- Requires a week of patience, no makeup, and very basic skincare
The Bottom Line
The NeoStrata ProSystem Retinol Peel isn’t quick or cheap, but it delivers. Expect a week of flaking before you get smoother, brighter, baby-soft skin that lasts months. If you’re already comfy with retinol and want a reset that goes deeper than glycolic or lactic peels, this is the one.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
