Exfoliation is an important step in skin care routine and can treat many skin concerns, although it is often overlooked. There are so many different ways to exfoliate in today’s market that it is hard to know which one is best for your skin type. One advantage to all forms of exfoliation is that it allows subsequent products to penetrate deeper into the skin, and therefore can be more effective.

Enzymatic exfoliation is gentle, yet effective and also strengthens skin with natural antioxidant vitamins as they exfoliate. A fairly safe choice is to select an enzyme exfoliator. Due to its gentle nature it can be used on all skin types and is often the best choice for sensitive skin. They can be less irritating than other methods, like scrubs and microdermabrasion, while still offering amazing benefits. Enzyme exfoliation very rarely has any contraindications or side-effects and is widely recommended by skin care professionals.

To understand the impact of enzymatic exfoliation on the skin, we must first understand what enzymes are. Essentially, enzymes are catalysts that speed up natural biological processes and in skin care they accelerate the skin’s natural exfoliation process. Since the top layer of our skin is primarily made of dead skin cells, our complexion can appear dull if they are not removed. An enzyme exfoliator will gently digest the bonds which connect dead cells to our skin, preventing pores from clogging as well as helping with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation. Routine enzyme exfoliation will lead to brighter skin and a younger appearance.

Other, deeper forms of exfoliation than enzymes include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA)s. With AHAs, much like lactic acid or glycolic acid, the outer layer of dead skin cells are “unglued” and once these are cleared away young skin cells beneath will grow faster, normalizing cell turnover. BHAs  differ from AHAs because of their lipophilic nature, enabling penetration and exfoliation of the pores. If you are looking to treat acne then BHA’s are a great option for the exfoliation step.

Enzymes in skin care are extracted from multiple fruit and vegetable sources. For the best results, look for fruit enzymes like papaya, pineapple and pumpkin which can have specific benefits while they all help with the signs of aging. Pineapple enzyme, often referred to as bromelain is a good choice for somebody who has sensitive, red or rosacea prone skin because it contains anti-inflammatory properties to ease the symptoms. Papaya (papain) enzyme helps with acne by breaking down any dead cells inside the pore and releasing trapped congestion underneath the skin. If hyperpigmentation, often a result of too much sun exposure, is the primary concern then an exfoliator that utilizes the pumpkin enzyme (protease) will help to erase the dark spots. Since pumpkin enzyme is a small molecule it is able to penetrate deeper than others to provide treatment benefits for anti-aging and brightening of the skin.

A great time to invest in an enzyme exfoliation is after summer when skin needs an extra helping hand after increased sun exposure when more hyperpigmentation may have occurred. Skin sensitivity can be heightened so a gentle approach is advised. As always, it is best prevent sun damage all together with a natural daily SPF moisturizer, especially during those summer months.

Enzyme exfoliants can be weaved into a number of different spa treatments. They are a common favorite for preparing the skin for extractions, or can be used as a pre-treatment for deeper exfoliating peels. Often spas will make exfoliation the focal part of the facial treatment which shows how important this aspect of a skin care routine exfoliation truly is!