How Often Can You Do an Enzyme Peel?

Dealing with dull, lackluster skin? Dreaming of a smoother, softer complexion? Enzyme peels are an effective exfoliating treatment that can significantly improve your skin’s tone and texture and even diminish the appearance of dark spots and fine lines. But how often can you do an enzyme peel to achieve powerful, complexion-transforming results without irritating your skin? In this guide, we’ll explore how enzyme peels work, the frequency they should be used for maximum benefits, and best practices for incorporating them into your current skincare routine.

What is an Enzyme Peel?

An enzyme peel is a type of topical exfoliant that uses enzymes—proteins that help speed up chemical reactions within the body—to resurface the skin. These specific enzymes are proteolytic (also known as protease enzymes), which dissolve dulling, surface-level dead skin cells to reveal newer, fresher skin underneath. Available over the counter, they tend to be much gentler than physical scrubs and chemical peels, making them suitable for most skin types, even those with sensitive or reactive skin.

Common Formulations

You’ll find a variety of different protease enzymes in today’s enzyme peel formulas, all typically derived from plant-based sources. While they all serve a similar purpose—exfoliating the skin’s surface—each has its own unique benefits. Common formulations include:

Bromelain: Sourced from pineapple, Bromelain is a type of protease enzyme famed for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties, making it a great choice for those with irritated or sensitive skin. You’ll find it paired with Sweet Cherry Puree and Lactic Acid in our best-selling Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel.

Pumpkin: Packed with protease enzymes, Pumpkin is also rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), which gently exfoliate while improving skin texture and brightness. It’s the star of our Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel, a clarifying formula that also contains Lactic Acid and antiseptic herbs to help clear dull and congested skin.

Ficin: Extracted from figs, Ficin works like other protease enzymes while providing the skin with the powerful vitamins and antioxidants naturally found in figs. Our gentle Pear & Fig Polishing Enzyme Peel combines it with Pear Puree, which contains natural acids that also aid in exfoliation.

Papain: Derived from papaya, Papain is one of the most common enzymes used in skincare peels. It’s renowned for diminishing dullness and brightening skin for a more radiant complexion.

Key Benefits

Function and results will vary from enzyme peel to enzyme peel, especially when you consider other active ingredients included, but they all share a few key benefits. By eliminating built-up dead skin cells on the skin’s surface, they can even tone and texture, leaving your complexion smoother, brighter, and more radiant. When used consistently, this exfoliation can also help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, improve acne, and stimulate cell turnover, helping to smooth the appearance of fine lines with long-term use. What’s more, shedding this surface layer can boost your skin’s ability to absorb other products, ensuring you get the most out of your skincare routine (and the most bang for your buck).

How Often Can You Use an Enzyme Peel?

So, you’ve found a suitable formula, but how often can you do an enzyme peel? The answer isn’t so straightforward, as there’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to application. In fact, a number of factors will determine how often you can do an enzyme peel safely and effectively.

Why Frequency Matters

Because enzyme peels deliver instant results and long-term benefits over time, consistency is key! While you’ll likely notice a fresher, smoother, and more radiant complexion with just one use, it takes time to see deeper results like improved pigmentation and fine lines. At the same time, it’s important to remember that while gentler than most other exfoliating treatments, enzyme peels can still be pretty potent, and overdoing it can lead to sensitivity, redness, dryness, and peeling. Be sure to let your skin recover between treatments to ensure you don’t irritate or damage its delicate moisture barrier.

Factors Influencing How Often to Use An Enzyme Peel

There are a few factors that determine how often you can do an enzyme peel. First, consider your skin type. If your skin is sensitive, very dry, or mature, you may not want to use them as frequently as recommended for normal or oily skin types. You should also consider your skincare goals—are you just looking for a quick glow boost, or are you hoping to fade your dark spots? The more prominent your concerns, the more you’ll need to use your enzyme peel consistently over a longer duration of time.

You’ll also need to consider the strength of the peel you want to use, the current state of your skin, and what other actives are in your routine. If you regularly apply retinoids or skincare acids like AHAs and BHAs, you’ll likely want to use your peel at a different time of the day or a different day altogether to avoid potential irritation.

So, How Often Should You Do an Enzyme Peel?

With all of the above in mind, how often can you do an enzyme peel? Once every one to two weeks is usually recommended for normal to oily skin and every two to three weeks if your skin is sensitive or dry, but depends on the product. Some peels are milder than others and are meant to be used multiple times a week or even daily, depending on their potency and formulation. For this reason, it’s important to follow any directions carefully and not go overboard. In the case of peels, slow and steady is best!

Moreover, you should always patch test before applying it to your entire face and monitor how your skin reacts after the first few uses. Depending on how well your skin tolerates it, consider increasing or decreasing frequency. Of course, if you’re uncertain how to use an enzyme peel or any new product or ingredient you introduce into your routine, consult your dermatologist for advice first.

Best Practices for Maximizing Enzyme Peel Benefits

Cleansing the Skin

Starting with freshly cleansed skin is an important first step in ensuring that your skin will drink in your skincare products and reap the most benefits. Because enzyme peels are strong, opt for only gentle and non-stripping formulas—like our hydrating Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel or ultra-nourishing Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm—to prevent potential irritation before you apply your peel.

Applying the Enzyme Peel

Gently pat skin dry after cleansing, then apply a thin layer of the peel to the full face with clean fingertips or a mask brush. Avoid sensitive areas like the delicate skin around the eyes and mouth, as these can easily become irritated.

Setting the Timer

Just as important as determining how often you can do an enzyme peel is knowing how long you can leave it on. Application times will differ across products, so again, following your peel’s specific directions is crucial. Most enzyme peels are meant to be left on for only a short period—typically anywhere from three to fifteen minutes—while milder formulations can be left on for hours or even overnight. Our enzyme peels are formulated for speedy results, requiring only three to five minutes to get to work, making them easy to incorporate into even the busiest of schedules.

When it’s time to remove your peel, gently rinse off with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser (no harsh scrubs or actives!) to ensure no residue is left behind.

Post-Peel Care

After rinsing, your skin will likely be noticeably softer and more radiant, but there are a few key steps to follow in order to maintain these results and your skin’s overall health. First and foremost: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Because enzyme peels essentially remove the very top layer of the skin, you’ll need to keep it amply hydrated and replenish its moisture barrier—reach for nourishing moisturizers like our best-selling Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream. Steer clear from abrasive scrubs, chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs, and other strong actives like Retinoids for a few days following your peel to avoid over-exfoliation. Enzyme peels can also increase sun sensitivity and leave your skin susceptible to damage, so aim to limit sun exposure, apply (and re-apply) your SPF, and wear sun-protective accessories if going outside for at least a week after your treatment.

Most importantly, listen to your skin! If your complexion is unusually red, irritated, or uncomfortable post-peel, you may not be using the best formula for your skin’s particular needs. In this case, reach for soothing, barrier-fortifying products until your skin goes back to normal.

Complementary Skincare Practices

However gentle, at the end of the day, an enzyme peel is still a peel—and it’s crucial to use them in tandem with nourishing, replenishing skincare practices. As mentioned above, hydration is key, so moisturize often while also drinking plenty of water to hydrate from the inside out. Opting for products with protective antioxidants, soothing botanicals like Aloe Vera and Calendula, and barrier-boosting ingredients like Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid, and Niacinamide will also help maintain skin health and your newly glowing, radiant complexion.

Save Money and Experience the Ultimate Convenience of Our Enzyme Peels at Naturopathica!

We’ve already mentioned that enzyme peels are less harsh than other exfoliation options out there, but that’s not the only perk! They’re also significantly more affordable than in-office peels, and since the typical jar contains multiple applications, they offer incredible value compared to pricey one-time procedures. Moreover, there’s the added convenience of not having to leave the comfort of home. Our collection of enzyme peels not only cost less than a third of the average “light” chemical peel, but true to our nature-forward approach to skincare, they’re brimming with skin-loving botanicals and nutrients sans any questionable ingredients—plus, they’ll leave your skin smooth and radiant in five minutes or less!

Final Thoughts on How Often to Use Enzyme Peels

Enzyme peels come in a variety of different forms, strengths, and applications, meaning there’s no set rule for how often you can do an enzyme peel—it’ll depend on the specific formula you choose. Additionally, your skin type, skin goals, and current routine will influence how often you can use enzyme peels. For some, once a week may be ideal, while others may find every three weeks is best. You can also opt for a mild formula that can be used multiple times per week.

Overall, it’s important to follow product directions carefully and monitor how your skin reacts after the first few applications. If you’re still unsure how often to use enzyme peels, consult your dermatologist to help you create a treatment plan tailored to your skin’s unique needs.