9 Enzyme Exfoliators for the Gentlest Exfoliation

Best Enzyme Exfoliators

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When talking about how to exfoliate the skin, two types of exfoliation come to mind: physical and chemical. But there’s a lesser-known way of exfoliation that keeps popping up only to be overshadowed by scrubs or hydroxy acids. We’re talking about enzyme exfoliators.

Even though they’ve been around for quite some time, the fact that they work gentler and slower makes them less appealing to some. However, when you have sensitive skin, rosacea, or skin that doesn’t agree with chemical peels, enzyme peels might be what you’re looking for to get smoother, brighter skin without irritation.

If you’re new to exfoliation and looking for a gentle way to get started, enzymes deserve your attention. Find below everything you need to know about enzyme exfoliators and the best ones to use.

What Are Enzyme Exfoliators?

Enzyme exfoliators are skincare products made with enzymes, which work to break down dead skin cells, unclog pores, smooth skin texture, and brighten skin tone.

Unlike physical exfoliants, which use abrasive particles, and chemical exfoliants, which use acids, enzyme exfoliators use fruit-derived enzymes. They’re derived from papaya (papain), pumpkin, rice, and pineapple (bromelain).

Benefits of Enzyme Exfoliators

Smooth and Bright Skin

Simply by exfoliating your skin, enzyme exfoliators help brighten skin and even out the skin tone, keep pores clear, and keep your skin smooth.

Gentle Exfoliation

Enzyme exfoliators are much gentler compared to other types of exfoliators. That’s why they’re usually suitable for all skin types. And they’re the best way to exfoliate when you have sensitive skin. That’s also why it’s difficult to over-exfoliate your skin with enzymes, which leads to damaged skin barrier and irritation.

Skin Benefits

Enzyme exfoliators have additional benefits for the skin because they’re derived from fruits. For example, papaya is highly anti-inflammatory for the skin. Pumpkin is rich in antioxidants like vitamins C and E. While you exfoliate, you get to collect other skin benefits well.

Best Enzyme Exfoliators

1. Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover

Glow Recipe Papaya Sorbet Smoothing Enzyme Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover - Best Enzyme Exfoliator

This is a unique formula in that it’s a makeup-removing balm that’s made with enzymes. What it means is that while dissolving makeup, you also get a little bit of gentle exfoliation, which is helpful if you regularly wear makeup. It breaks down dead skin cells with papaya enzymes and preps your skin for your second cleanser. It moisturizes the skin with its nourishing blend of oils and antioxidant-rich blueberry extract.

Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes, papaya seed oil
Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, oily
Size: 3.4 oz/100 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

2. Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel Enzymatic Cream Exfoliator - Best Enzyme Exfoliator

This is an exfoliating enzyme peel for when you don’t want to exfoliate daily. It’s made with papaya and pineapple enzymes to smooth the skin and prevent dead skin cells from clogging your pores. The cream formula has niacinamide to brighten the skin and protect the skin barrier. And it has bladderwrack extract, which has soothing and moisturizing properties. It’s a gentle yet effective enzyme exfoliator to keep the skin soft, smooth, and plump.

Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes, pineapple extract
Skin Type: All, including sensitive
Size: 1.6 oz/50 ml

3. Verso Enzyme Peel

Verso Enzyme Peel

If you prefer something a little bit more potent but still not too harsh, then this multi-action treatment is for you. It’s made with pomegranate enzymes and chemical exfoliants like gluconolactone, glycolic acid, and lactic acid. Gluconolactone has amazing antioxidant and hydration benefits for the skin. That way you get gentle exfoliation with maximum skincare benefits. The alpha-hydroxy acid blend softens the look of fine lines and gives you smoother and brighter skin. The supercharged formula is anti-aging, anti-acne, and anti-pigmentation.

Key Ingredients: Pomegranate enzymes, gluconolactone, lactic acid
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml

4. Herbivore Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask

Herbivore Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask - Best Enzyme Peel Mask

This is an enzyme mask that is gentle even for the most sensitive skin. Its light, jell-like base soothes the skin with aloe while papaya and pineapple extracts pick up dead skin cells. But more importantly, the enzyme mask contains willow bark extract, which is a natural source of salicylic acid. That’s why the mask is perfect for clearing up congested skin, refining pores, and reducing acne. It also packs gluconolactone for gentle exfoliation. The addition of blue tansy oil helps with inflammation and gives the mask its scent.

Key Ingredients: Papaya and pineapple enzymes, willow bark extract
Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone
Size: 2.02 oz/60 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

5. Renee Rouleau Dual Enzyme Softening Peel

Renee Rouleau Dual Enzyme Softening Peel

Formulated with both papaya and pineapple enzymes, the treatment helps reveal smoother skin. It also contains niacinamide to support the skin barrier and vitamin E to help neutralize free radicals. The enzyme peel keeps the pores clean, prevents clogging and breakouts, and leaves the skin bright, smooth, and flake-free.

Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes, pineapple enzymes, niacinamide
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

6. Youth To The People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial

Youth To The People Yerba Mate Resurfacing Exfoliating Energy Facial

This one combines physical exfoliation with enzymatic exfoliation to give you radiant skin. It’s made with papaya and pineapple enzymes. And it’s formulated with bamboo extracts to gently double as a physical exfoliator as well. Additionally, it boosts radiance and brightens the skin with caffeine and niacinamide. It’s a rinse-off exfoliator so make sure to gently massage the product into the skin and let the enzymes smooth out the skin texture.

Key Ingredients: Papaya enzymes, pineapple enzymes, niacinamide
Skin Type: All
Size: 2 oz/59 ml
Good To Know: Vegan, cruelty-free

7. Amorepacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder

Amorepacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder  - Best Korean Enzyme Exfoliator

Exfoliating cleansers are nothing new. But people with sensitive skin tend to steer clear as acids can be too much for daily use. If you insist on exfoliating daily, you can try this enzyme cleanser in powder form to resurface the skin with every wash. The Korean cleansing powder is made with enzymes derived from antioxidant-rich green tea extract. It cleans the skin thoroughly while helping you achieve your smoothest skin ever.

Key Ingredients: Green tea enzymes
Skin Type: All
Size: 1.94 oz/55 gr

8. Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Pore Exfoliating Treatment

Amorepacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder

Lactic acid is one of the gentlest alpha-hydroxy acids. It’s usually the go-to acid for people with sensitive skin. Because of its hydrating abilities, it’s also great for people with dehydrated skin. Combining that with acne-fighting salicylic acid, pumpkin, and papaya enzymes, you’ve got yourself the best enzyme exfoliator for people with oily and acne-prone skin. Plus, the treatment gives physical exfoliation with silica, which also helps mattify the skin. Use this enzyme peel to keep pores clean, and reduce acne, and hyperpigmentation.

Key Ingredients: Papaya and pumpkin enzymes, lactic acid, salicylic acid
Skin Type: All
Size: 2 oz/60 ml
Good To Know: Cruelty-free

9. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer - Best Enzymatic Facial Peel

This is an all-in-one exfoliator made with all that is skin resurfacing. It’s made with pumpkin enzymes and lactic acid to encourage skin renewal, soften the skin texture, and smooth out fine lines. And it has crystals for physical exfoliation. So you need to manually massage your skin to get the most out of it. The mask leaves your skin looking glowy and feeling bouncy.

Key Ingredients: Pumpkin enzymes, lactic acid
Skin Type: All
Size: 5.1 oz/150 ml

So these are some of the best enzyme exfoliators you can try for gently resurfacing the skin. If your skin can’t handle alpha or beta hydroxy acids, enzyme exfoliators are a great alternative.

Read Next: How to Exfoliate Sensitive Skin

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