What type of chemical peel is known to penetrate only the epidermis?

Superficial peels are designed to gently exfoliate the skin by targeting only the outermost layer, known as the epidermis. These peels typically use mild acids, such as glycolic or salicylic acid, to remove dead skin cells and improve skin texture without significantly affecting the deeper layers of the skin. This makes them ideal for treating issues like superficial pigmentation, fine lines, and mild acne, as well as for refreshing and brightening the complexion.

In contrast, deep peels penetrate through multiple layers of the skin, often reaching the dermis, which results in more dramatic changes but also requires longer recovery times and carries a higher risk of complications. Medium-depth peels disrupt both the epidermis and part of the dermis, providing more significant results than superficial peels but still necessitating careful post-procedure care. Enzyme peels rely on natural enzymes to break down dead skin cells and are also generally more superficial, but they do not fit the typical classification of peels in regards to chemical composition and depth of penetration as well as superficial peels do.

Therefore, the defining characteristic of superficial peels—their exclusive action on the epidermis—makes them the correct answer to the question.