You may cleanse, tone and moisturize like clockwork, but have you tapped into the benefits of exfoliation? Exfoliants help get rid of dead, dry and dull skin cells that can build up on your skin. If you’re already familiar with exfoliation, then you might automatically think of scrubs like pulverized walnut shells, oatmeal or lactic and glycolic acid. But there’s another lesser-known class of exfoliators that’s growing in popularity for its gentle effectiveness: enzymes. Here’s more on these gentle ingredients.
Why exfoliate?
Regular exfoliation helps create a radiant, smooth complexion. While our skin naturally sheds dead skin cells, the process slows with age and it’s common for dead cells to build up if we don’t assist in the exfoliation process. When dead cells accumulate, dullness and uneven skin usually result. The solution is to incorporate regular exfoliation into your skincare routine. Your skin will absorb products better, look smoother and you’ll notice a boost in overall brightness and glow.
Types of enzymes
The most popular and commonly used exfoliating enzymes are naturally derived from pineapple, papaya and pumpkin. Pineapple contains the strongest of the three enzymes, bromelain, which can be found in Tracie Martyn Enzyme Exfoliant and Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Impact Fruit Enzyme Facial Mask.
Papaya contains the enzyme papain, in Ole Henriksen Blue Black Berry Enzyme Mask and Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel. And pumpkin is rich in the enzyme protease, found in June Jacobs Perfect Pumpkin Peeling Mask and Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel.
The enzymes in these foods are so effective that you could mix an exfoliating mask in your kitchen from mashed fruit. You may also find enzyme exfoliants derived from mushroom, fig, cherry, raspberry, grape and pomegranate.
The enzyme advantage
Enzyme exfoliants are known for their ability to gently break down the bonds holding dead cells onto skin, accelerating the skin’s natural exfoliation process. They’re able to digest keratin protein and the upper layer, or stratum corneum, of our skin, which is made up of primarily dead keratin cells.
As a bonus, enzymes also strengthen healthy skin with natural antioxidant vitamins as they exfoliate. Pumpkin protease, for example, contains vitamin A, while pineapple bromelain contains vitamin C.
Another major advantage to using an exfoliant that doesn’t scrub or rely on acids to peel is less chance for irritation. Depending on the acidity of the product and whether or not additional chemical exfoliants have been added, expect your skin to tingle — this isn’t cause for concern. However, if you feel burning or itching, rinse off the product immediately.
Exfoliation is key for healthy skin but some scrubs may also be irritating. Enzyme exfoliants rarely cause irritation, and they still lead to smoother, glowing skin. Consider tapping into the benefits of these gentle products and giving enzymes a try today.
See also:
5 Ideas for Sizzling Skin This Winter
Exfoliation 101
Purify with Pumpkin