I’ve somehow reached the age of 31 without starting any sort of skincare anti-aging regimen. A combination of denial that I’m getting older and acne prone skin has resulted in me trying something new and breaking out before ditching it a few weeks later.

A few months ago I noticed that my skin was looking more pallid and dull than normal despite eating right, sleeping well, and drinking enough water. Since I’m not getting any younger, I decided to get serious about my skincare for the new year. So when Silk Therapeutics reached out to me with an offer to test out their Silk Renewing Peel, I was excited to give it a shot.

I’ve been using the Silk Renewing Peel once a week as part of my new skin care regimen. A big believer in controlled experiments, I left the rest of my skin routine the same. The mantra of Silk Therapeutics is “authentically clean” meaning that all of their products are made with minimal ingredients and free of harsh chemicals. Each product in Silk Therapeutics’s line of clean skincare is formulated to contain only what is necessary and effective, including pure liquid silk, which provides anti-aging benefits.

Silk Therapeutics Silk Renewing Peel

What it Does: Silk Renewing Peel is designed to transform the skin by gently yet effectively exfoliating the outermost layer to reveal a brighter, more vibrant complexion.

Skin Types: The formula is hypoallergenic and designed to be used for all skin types.

Ingredients: Water, Silk, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Lemongrass Essential Oil.

Look and Feel: Lightweight, gel-like consistency that spreads evenly.

Smell: Lemongrass aroma but not overly scented. I’m very sensitive to smells so this was a huge plus for me.

Packaging: Two sizes,  1.0 oz and 1.7 oz, containing a small applicator to scoop the product out of the container.

Treatment and Use: Use a dime sized amount on my face and neck once a week, leaving it on for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. There are approximately 90-120 treatment applications in the jar.

Silk Renewing Peel Results

I first tried the Silk Renewing Peel on New Year’s Eve Day in an almost metamorphic way of leaving 2015 behind. The application was simple—spread a small amount over makeup free face, wait 10 mins, and rinse off. The cool gel slid on with a fresh, light lemongrass scent. I’m sensitive to smells and was not at all bothered by the scent.

Nervous about my sensitive skin, I left the peel on only for 5 minutes during the first use. The peel tingled slightly but did not irritate my skin. I’ve used products with glycolic acid before and knew that a slight tingling was normal during the first use. Immediately after rinsing the Silk Renewing Peel, I noticed that my skin was softer and smoother.

Caught up in New Year’s Eve celebrations, I completely forgot that I had used the peel. When I saw a photo of myself the next day, I was amazed (see photo below). My skin looked bright and radiant, better than it had looked in years! My formerly dull and dry skin was glowing, not just in that photo but in every picture.

Photo of my glowing skin

Since that day I’ve been using the Silk Renewing Peel once a week for the past 3 months. I can honestly say that my skin has never looked better. Despite a lack of sun and dry winter air, my skin has remained bright and soft. I was so impressed with the Skin Renewing Peel that I brought some for my mom to try when I went to visit her. Needless to say, she loves it too!

Not only is the Silk Renewing Peel amazing, but Silk Therapeutics is too. The company is a Boston based startup, founded by Dr. Greg Altman (CEO) and Dr. Rebecca Horan (COO). The mission of the Silk Therapeutics is to create a line of safe, effective silk-based products that reimagine the ways we treat and enhance skin, without any added risks. All of the Silk Therapeutic products are chemical-free and are safe for those that are pregnant or undergoing medical treatments for cancer (few skincare products are). If you’re looking for a gentle yet effective anti-aging treatment that will brighten your complexion, I highly recommend Silk Renewing Peel by Silk Therapeutics.

Note: I received the Silk Renewing Peel for free in exchange for an honest review of the product. All opinions are my own.