Chemical peels work with the help of special acids withing the application that raise the acidity of the skin to about a 3.8 pH level (normal pH level of skin is around 5.5). The changing of the pH chemically loosens the cells that form the connection between dead skin and healthy skin. When the cells loosen, exfoliation occurs as the dead skin is removed to reveal healthy skin underneath. The process promotes the growth of new, healthy skin cells.