Last night my husband asked me what I was writing about. “Peels”. He looked utterly blank, then said, “Oh, that thing where people’s faces go all red and flake off?”. Suffice to say, peels have not had the best press over the last decade. But you’ll find no redness, or indeed flakiness, here…

Because what I’m talking about are a new generation of super-gentle, at-home treatments which use mild enzymes and fruit acids to slough off that dullifying layer of dead skin cells. It’s exfoliation, but without the grains – so perfect for skin which gets upset easily. Here are my top five.

Aromatherapy Associates has a new addition in the shape of Essential Enzyme Peel (£39). It contains acids of pineapple, passion flower and grape, but thanks to the carrot oil and vitamin E, there’s no harshness or stinging. It goes on like a creamy masque with a yummy spa-like smell, and you just flannel it off. A real glow-getter.

Similarly gentle is Mild Aroma Peeling (£31) from Darphin, which uses lemon essential oil. Again, you leave this on like a masque but then rub it off with circular movements after a few minutes. It’s got a slightly tacky texture so you’ll need to rinse too. I love this for jawline bumpiness and ‘under-the-skin’ blemishes.

My Perricone Blue Plasma (£78) is nearly finished but I’m not surprised as I use it practically every day under my moisturiser. I love the way it acts like a peel, but as it’s non-acidic you don’t have to wash it off, so it works hard all day under your makeup to exfoliate and hydrate. Genius.

If you’d rather your peelage took place overnight, try Dr Lewinn’s Skin Renewal Overnight Exfoliator (£36). This oil-free gel contains sugar cane extracts to gently resurface and fade patchiness while you kip. I love slapping this on if I know I’m going to get up early, as it gives you a “no makeup required” radiance when you wake.

Finally, a back-of-the-rack classic: Gentle Peeling Smooth Away Cream (£25) from Clarins. I used this about 20 years ago and I still adore it. It’s non-abrasive in the sense that it doesn’t contain grains, but it doesn’t use acids or enzymes either – the ‘peel’ is the action of gently rubbing off the clay-based cream. It leaves your skin remarkably soft and busts blackheads like nobody’s business.

For more tips and tricks from our resident Beauty Bird, Eleanor Tucker click here.