I'm sure I'm not the only one who's thought about using a facial peel [1] on another part of my body, right? Especially when seeing some of the same issues — like dark spots [2] and blemishes [3] — pop up not just up top? Even though I'm already a fan of oil-rich bath scrubs [4] to help exfoliate the dullness and flakes that also plague my skin, none of my current products have ingredients that help with those tone and texture issues at the same time — until now.
I've long loved the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel [5] for its work on my hyperpigmentation and often-rough skin. Now, I've learned that the brand created a similar product as a body treatment and, well, there was no convincing needed for me to test that out.
Ahead, learn what's inside the new Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment [6], and why I'm now considering it an early Christmas gift [7] to my whole body.
What’s Inside the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment
Much like the brand's bestselling facial peel, the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment [8] ($16-$58) also has a combo of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids (specifically glycolic, lactic, and salicylic) to improve skin's look and feel. Those ingredients — along with antioxidant-rich squalane — loosen dead skin cells, hydrate, and unclog pores.
Now, these textured towels add in brightening bakuchiol (a gentle retinol alternative [9]) on the same pad to tackle dark spots and fine lines at the same time. I immediately considered this promising as some retinol products stress and dry out my sensitive skin.
How to Use the Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment
Each towel is 8.5 inches by 5.5 inches when fully unwrapped but, to maximise the amount of your body that can be covered, it's meant to be used folded at first and then unfolded as each exposed part of the towel dries.
I started with the parts of my body I cared about most in case the towel couldn't reach everything but I was easily able to cover my full legs and arms with this sheet, along with my behind and shoulders. (I don't have a problem with discoloration on my chest and stomach, or "bacne [10]," so I skipped those spots and went over my areas of concern extra well instead.)
Who I'd Recommend Try This Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment
After using this treatment twice in one week (the recommended amount), I could already feel a noticeable smoothness on my skin. However, one thing bummed me out: While my results were mostly more of a feeling, I did see a visible improvement on my inner thighs, where I have some discoloration and bumpy ingrown hairs. (You'll need to take my word for it as I'm going to spare you a close-up shot.) This made me wish I had this product before I had laser hair removal [11] on my bikini line as I had even worse bumps and darkness before that area was targeted by lasers, and I was so curious to see how this would have helped then.
Still, I'd recommend this product to anyone who suffers from ingrown hairs, texture issues, or any discoloration. It was gentle on my sensitive skin, and I do think the same would hold true for anyone who has keratosis pilaris or body acne (like in the pictures here).
Even though my arms and legs aren't really seeing the light of day right now, I'm always looking for different ways to help exfoliate. I purposely didn't apply any body lotion after using this product to see if I noticed increased dryness overnight (which, happily, I did not) so it's a winner on that level, too. Plus, since I shave year-round regardless, I'm excited to see how this continues to keep my skin smooth and reduce hyperpigmentation and ingrown hairs in the future as well.