Former beauty editor and self-proclaimed beauty enthusiast Kate Milliken tried our amazing skin treatment, the Caci Signature Peel here’s what she thought…
I’ve tried just about everything under the sun in the quest for perfect skin. There are basically no parameters to what I won’t do if the side effects include having glowy, dewy skin. So when the opportunity arose to try a course of Caci’s Signature Peel, I took little convincing, and by little, I mean none whatsoever.
The good thing about the increasing nature of beauty transparency is that we now know that skin health that was once reserved for the rich and famous is not, drum roll please, achieved by slapping on a bit of moisturiser in the evening, Beauty secrets have become a relic of the last century, and authenticity in the beauty culture has taken their place. And now, treatments such as chemical peels are championed for transformative results, as they should be.
I have of course heard about the life-changing results of in-clinic peels and was eager to put these rumblings to the test, what’s the big peel? Is it the ‘peel deal’ if you will. Well, I’m here to tell you what the fuss is about and can confirm that after finishing the recommended three treatments, my skin has quite possibly never looked better.
First things first, what is Caci’s Signature Peel?
Unlike traditional chemical peels that focus solely on exfoliation, Caci Signature Peel takes things a step further. It’s a unique blend of resurfacing acids, growth factors, and advanced delivery technology to stimulate deep within the skin. This means you get all the benefits of a chemical peel, smoother skin, reduced pigmentation, fewer fine lines, while also triggering your skin’s natural healing and collagen production for long-term results.
What really sets it apart is the combination of a resurfacing peel with either a Sonophoresis Skin Infusion (which helps the active ingredients penetrate deeper) or LED Light Therapy (which enhances skin repair and glow). This dual-action approach means you’re not just removing dead skin, you’re actively improving your skin’s function and structure. Yes please!
Here’s the all-star lineup powering your peel:
Liposomal Epidermal Growth Factors
Fancy words for proteins that encourage your skin to behave like it’s fresh out of the womb.
CoEnzyme Q10
Think of this as an energy drink for your face. It boosts cell function and fights off that tired, dull look.
Chloroacetic Acid
Not as scary as it sounds! This powerhouse stimulates collagen production and strengthens skin bonds.
Mandelic Acid
Targets ageing and acne without the harshness of stronger acids. Gentle but effective.
Kojic Acid
The sworn enemy of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Sun damage? Never heard of her.
Glyne Complex
The secret sauce that makes this peel suitable for all skin tones and minimises post-treatment irritation.
My thoughts
The thing with flawlessness is that it quickly becomes a sunk-cost fallacy given that it is a forever moving target. What is popular now, probably won’t be popular in the future, so where you choose to spend your beauty budget deserves some strategic thinking.
But while beauty trends come and go, there is one beauty goal that transcends all the trends; having healthy, glowing skin. No matter the decade, era, or even geographical location, having clear, smooth skin is almost guaranteed to be something people aspire for. This being said, investing in your skin is a great place to start if you are feeling a bit inundated with the cacophonous echo chamber of GRWM videos and gua sha tutorials at the minute. Chemical peels have been around for long enough that you know they are not to be put in the ‘fad’ category. This is a reassuring thought for those who have invested in the wrong treatments in the past, for me, that was microblading, but we digress.
In terms of beauty and investment, I am someone who sits firmly in the high-maintenance beauty for a low-maintenance lifestyle camp. This means, I choose to invest in products and treatments that to some may seem extreme but means that my day-to-day beauty regime is actually very low-key. Skin is my focus, which means if I skimp on makeup and lash lifts, no one will notice. And this makes sense from an entirely financial perspective too, given that while these things may require some upfront investment, they last for a lot longer than a bottle of foundation, and have a much greater impact.
The Signature Peel
I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the signature peel is worth the investment if glowing skin is something you are interested in achieving, and if you’re not interested in that, I really have no idea why you have taken the time to read this whole thing. Exfoliating treatments in general have come a long way in the past 15 years or so. Do you remember when everyone was using those oversized electric toothbrushes on their face like they were buffing a car hood? Well, thank god that’s over is all we have to say. We prefer exfoliating treatments and products that won’t open up your chance of infection thanks to micro tears all over our face, call us old-fashioned.
This is where chemical peels enter the chat. They’re not scary, in fact, they’re really great. At Caci, their signature peel is three treatments spaced four weeks apart. During your treatments, your clinician will cleanse and prep your face, apply a layer of the peel and then move it around all over your face. They will then leave it on for as long as your face will tolerate, before deactivating it with a cold face cloth. They will then repeat this until your skin has reached its threshold. This will be different for everyone depending on how tolerant your skin is, but rest assured they won’t overdo it!
I was expecting my face to burn, but surprisingly I experienced barely any discomfort aside from a small amount of tingling. But it felt… kind of nice? Like a good pain if you know what I mean. Nowhere near what I was expecting. After I left, I was a little bit pink, but that went away within an hour, and my skin was already noticeably fresher looking. I experienced some light peeling about five days after, which passed within about two days, and when my new face was revealed, I was sold. My skin looked soft, smooth, and hydrated. But the best was yet to come. Over the next two treatments, my clinician bumped up the layers of peel to reveal even more youthful, glowing skin beneath all of those dead skin cells. I think from a strictly results perspective, this is the best ‘facial’ I have ever had. My blackheads were completely gone, and my skin looked dewy and clear, even when I didn’t wear any foundation. I soon realised the reason chemical peels are so popular among dew-seekers is because… they work.
My skin literally looked like I had been injecting myself with collagen daily and hitting my 7+ a day targets, which I most certainly had not been. If you want to invest in your skin and get results that last, well, you don’t need to look any further, in my opinion.
How to look after your skin after a chemical peel
Post-peel care is crucial because your skin is in healing mode, and the last thing you want is to undo all the hard work. Here’s what you need to do:
Hydration is key
Your skin might feel a little dry and tight post-peel, so slather on a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser like it’s your job.
SPF like your life depends on it
Your skin is more sensitive to the sun after a peel, so wearing a high SPF (at least 30, but ideally 50) is non-negotiable unless you want to turn your fresh skin into a UV experiment.
Hands off!
Peeling or flaking is normal, but resist the urge to pick. Let your skin shed naturally unless you want to resemble a patchy lizard.
No harsh products
Avoid retinoids, strong acids, and anything remotely aggressive for at least a week. Your skin is doing its best impression of a newborn baby, so treat it gently.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water helps your skin heal faster, and let’s be honest, it’s just good life advice in general.
Is it worth it?
1000% yes. It’s been about two months since I wrapped up my peels and my skin still looks incredible. In terms of having a serious glow-up with minimal downtime, I think you would be pressed to find a better treatment out there. This will not leave you shedding like a lizard, it will just make you look like you, but better. Ready to see for yourself? Book in your Caci Signature Peel appointment today. 10/10 would peel again.
