A chemical peel with low pH should be avoided for clients using which skincare product?

• A. Hyaluronic acid
• B. Retin-A
• C. Vitamin C serum
• D. Glycolic acid

Answer: (B)

Low pH chemical peels deliver strong exfoliation that can irritate and thin the skin. Retinoids like Retin-A already increase cell turnover and compromise the skin’s barrier, so applying a low pH peel while a client is using Retin-A can lead to excessive irritation, burning, redness, and potential pigment changes. For this reason, Retin-A use is avoided or the retinoid is paused before the peel. Other products won’t escalate the risk to the same extent, making Retin-A the standout contraindication in this scenario.