When skin looks its healthiest it has an undeniable glow. A luminous complexion is typically easy to come by in our early adult years. In our twenties, cell turnover is on a tight schedule, and new skin is revealed every 28 days or so. But as we get older, that process slows down and dead skin cells can stay on the surface of the skin longer. This is when dullness can set in. In addition to a loss of radiance, an accumulation of dead skin cells may also make you prone to an uneven tone and texture, clogged pores and more noticeable fine lines and wrinkles. This is where an enzyme peel can step in and provide a noticeable glowing boost. But what is an enzymatic peel? At its core, it’s a gentle yet highly effective at-home exfoliating treatment that also enhances the rest of your skin care routine. Intriguing, isn’t it? Here are all the must-know points about an enzyme peel.
Exfoliation Essentials
An enzyme peel belongs to the exfoliation category of skin care. After cleansing, which is designed to remove dirt, debris and oils from skin, exfoliation is a key step that impacts the look and feel of the surface of your skin by removing dead skin cells. Exfoliating on a regular basis becomes more necessary as we age because the natural sloughing process of dead skin cells slows down and a build-up on the outer layer of skin can occur. Just as dust particles can settle onto a windowpane and make the view appear hazy and uneven, accumulated dead skin cells can create a dull cast and bumpy texture on your face.
There are different types of exfoliants available. Face and body scrubs are a type of mechanical exfoliant. They’re made with tiny bits of physical material, such as biodegradable beads, that when massaged into skin have a buffing effect that leaves skin smoother. Chemical exfoliants use active ingredients, such as glycolic or lactic acid, that break down the sticky bonds between dead skin cells and clear oily congestion from pores to reveal fresh, smooth skin. Chemical exfoliants can be found in leave-on creams for at-home use, and are used in higher concentrations in professional peel treatments. An enzyme peel works in a similar fashion to a chemical exfoliant but contains enzymatic ingredients that can help to refine and brighten the skin.
The Benefits of Enzymes in Skin Care
The new Vivier Illuminating Enzymatic Peel brings together an optimized blend of enzymatic and chemical exfoliating ingredients to offer gentle and effective at-home exfoliation. The creamy gel formula contains bromelain and papain, tropical enzymes that are sourced from pineapple and papaya, respectively. Designed to work together, the benefits of enzymes in skin care include removing dead surface skin cells resulting in a smooth and brightened appearance of the skin. Along with helping to visibly reduce the look of unwanted discolouration, fine lines and wrinkles, using an enzymatic peel will also improve the performance of other products you’re already using. Clearing away the barrier of dead skin allows daily corrective and hydration products, such as Vitamin C serum or a hyaluronic acid-based moisturizer, to penetrate the epidermis more deeply and work more efficiently.
As for chemical exfoliants, the new enzymatic peel contains not one, but two! There’s 3% glycolic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid to help remove dead skin cells, and more. Glycolic acid is a hardworking alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that can also penetrate deeply into skin to stimulate collagen production. And salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) with the power to dissolve oil and reduce clogged pores while offering anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Packed with actives to deliver results, the expertly formulated treatment also contains microencapsulated retinol (to boost cellular turnover) and Vitamin C (a trusted brightener that also protects from free radicals and helps skin retain moisture). eptides that help to boost collagen production, maintain skin’s strength and elasticity, and reduce inflammation have been added, too.
How to Add an Enzyme peel to Your Skin Care Routine
How often you should use an exfoliator depends on both the product’s formulation and your skin’s specific needs. Other actives you may also be using or treatments you may be undergoing should also be considered. Due to its balance of rejuvenating and hydrating ingredients, Vivier Illuminating Enzymatic Peel is a no-rinse product that can be left on your skin overnight and used two to three times a week on non-consecutive nights as part of your evening skin care routine. If you’re already using retinol, use the peel on alternate nights. Depending on the strength of your skin you may be able to graduate to nightly use of the peel. Made to leave a complexion visibly brightened and smoothed, and suitable for all skin types, it can also play a supporting role in maintaining the results of a professional in-clinic treatment, such as the Vivier Peel or TX Jessner Peel.
At night, apply the enzyme peel to freshly cleansed skin and if you need more hydration then follow with a layer of moisturizer. In the morning, cleanse your skin to remove any remaining actives and always be sure to finish your AM skin care routine with sun protection with SPF 30 or higher. Exfoliants reveal fresh skin, and you don’t want to leave it exposed to UV damage. It’s essential to use sunscreen daily to protect your newly acquired glow.
What Results you Can Expect from an Enzyme Peel
There are some results you’re likely to notice right away. In a four-week trial of the Illuminating Enzymatic Peel, users agreed that their skin felt softer and more hydrated after just one use. After one week, 100% found their skin’s texture looked and felt more even, and 80% said it looked brighter and more radiant. With regular use, results will become more apparent. After 30 days of use, 100% felt their pore size was minimized and looked more refined, while 50% noted a visible reduction in discolouration, dark spots or pigmentation.
It's also important to prepare for what won’t happen – which is intense peeling. Peeling can occur after a more intensive in-clinic professional chemical peel treatment, such as the Vivier Peel and TX Jessner Peel. However, this at-home enzyme peel has been carefully designed to be gentle, with no irritation, sensitization or peeling. That said, every skin is different and you may experience a higher level of peeling due to various factors, such as the condition and tolerance of your skin and other products in your routine. Consult your skin care provider who can answer any questions you may have.
A little exfoliation goes a long way, especially when you put the power of enzymes to work. Now that you know the answer to the question ‘what is an enzymatic peel?’ you’re one step closer to experiencing visibly brighter, smoother, fresher and clearer skin.
