Exfoliate with Enzymes
Okay, so we pretty much know by now that people love exfoliating their skin. Whether it be facial scrubs, acid peels, or leave on exfoliating serums, most people concerned about the appearance of their skin has “caught wind” that exfoliating is important!
The problem is people can tend to over-exfoliate. Too much of even a good thing can cause damage to your skin, leaving it irritated, sensitized, and not pH balanced. When our skin is sensitized and not pH balanced, it is left open to bacteria, enviormental damage, broken cappillaries, and premature aging.
THIS IS WHERE ENZYMES COME IN….
- Enzymes- are biological catalysts or assistants. They consist of various proteins that work to drive the chemical reaction required for a specific action or nutrient.
- Enzyme exfoliants- are known for their ability to gently digest 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.
- What’s great about enzymes is that they are safe for senstive skin types, as well as gentle, everyday use because enzymes do not need to be neutralized like chemical peels do. This means, once the enzyme has digested the dead cells they stop working, and are unable to damage live cells. They barely change the pH of the skin, and they are also not harsh like facial scrubs, which can irritate the skin if used too often.
Some great, professional grade enzyme exfoliants are :
- Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
- Eminence Organics Strawberry Rhubard Dermafoliant
If you have any questions about how to incorporate Enzymes into your skincare regimen, just ask me!
xoxo-April
