How to Use Enzyme Peels

If you’ve ever searched for ways to revive dull, devitalized skin, smooth out rough texture, or clear congested pores, you’ve likely come across enzyme peels. While the term “peel” might sound intimidating, enzyme peels offer a gentle yet effective exfoliating treatment that is often milder than the many other options available. But to reap all their wonderful benefits and avoid over-exfoliating, you need to know how to use an enzyme peel.

In this guide, we’ll delve into their many benefits, provide step-by-step instructions for proper application, and discuss how often to use enzyme peel for optimal results.

Why Use Enzyme Peels as Part of Your Skincare Routine?

Before we discuss how to use enzyme peels and how often they should be used, it’s important to first understand what they are and what they do. Keep reading for everything you need to know.

What are Enzyme Peels?

Enzyme peels are a type of exfoliating treatment that uses proteolytic enzymes—proteins that speed up chemical reactions within the body—to resurface the top layer of the skin. They work by dissolving the dead skin cells that build up on the skin’s surface by digesting keratin, the protein that holds them together, to reveal newer, fresher, and smoother skin underneath. There are a variety of different proteolytic enzymes used in enzyme peels, but the most common are plant-based, such as Pumpkin, Bromelain from Pineapple, Ficin from figs, and Papain from Papaya.

Key Benefits of Enzyme Peels

By exfoliating the outer layer of the skin, enzyme peels provide a host of benefits, such as helping improve skin texture and softness, brighten and even out skin tone, decongest pores, reduce breakouts, and allow your other skincare products to better penetrate the skin. When used consistently over time, they can help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation and even help smooth the look of fine lines. They also promote skin cell turnover, which can lead to a fresher, more youthful-looking complexion.

Another great thing about enzyme peels? Because they don’t penetrate deeper than surface level, they tend to be less harsh than physical scrubs and chemical peels with little to no downtime. Depending on the strength of the formula, they’re suitable for most skin types, even those with sensitive or reactive skin.

Choosing the Right Enzyme Peel

Consider Your Skin Type

When choosing your peel, you’ll want to find a formula that caters to your skin type in order to get the best results and avoid a potentially bad reaction. While stronger peels may be advantageous for oily and acne-prone skin types, they may be too strong and irritating for sensitive skin types. Dry skin types should also avoid anything too potent and look for formulas infused with hydrating ingredients to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. Normal and combination skin types should look for balanced peels that are gentle yet effective; anything too mild may not yield the results they want, and anything specifically formulated for oily or dry skin types may be too strong or heavy.

Match the Peel to Your Skin Concerns

It’s also important to consider your specific skin concerns. While all enzyme peels help improve overall skin texture and tone, many are specially formulated to address issues like acne, hyperpigmentation, and signs of aging. The product packaging should indicate which concerns it’s designed to treat, but knowing the additional benefits of each type of enzyme is helpful, too. Bromelain has been shown to help fight inflammation, making it a wonderful ingredient for soothing irritated skin and fighting the inflammation associated with acne, especially more severe and cystic breakouts. Pumpkin and Ficin from fig are both rich in antioxidants, which can help shield skin from environmental stressors and can help fight signs of premature aging. Papain is a dullness-fighting superstar, making it a great choice for anyone looking to brighten and boost overall radiance.

Understanding Enzyme Peel Strength

Finally, consider the formula strength, as it determines whether the enzyme peel is suitable for your skin, how to use the enzyme peel, and how often to apply it. The concentration of enzymes is a key indicator of strength, often listed on the product label. However, if the label is unclear, refer to the brand’s instructions or consult your dermatologist to determine whether or not it’s the right strength for you.

Revive and Recharge Tired or Clogged Skin With Naturopathica’s Enzyme Peels!

At Naturopathica, we’ve meticulously formulated three enzyme peels, each complemented with other active ingredients to address different skin concerns. Our best-selling Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel blends Bromelain with antioxidant-rich Sweet Cherry Puree and Lactic Acid to help brighten and smooth sun-damaged skin, while our Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel pairs enzyme-rich Pumpkin Puree with Lactic Acid and a trio of antiseptic herbs to help unclog pores and clarify the complexion. Our gentlest formula, the Pear & Fig Polishing Enzyme Peel, uses enzyme-packed Pear and Fig Puree, Lactic Acid, and gentle Jojoba Beads to help nourish, smooth, and rejuvenate dull, dry skin. Like the rest of our skincare formulas, these enzyme peels are packed with clean, proven botanicals and are free from known toxins.

How to Use Enzyme Peel: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you’ve found the perfect formula for your skin, knowing how to use your enzyme peel is crucial for it to be effective and to keep your skin healthy and free from irritation. If you’re unsure, follow these instructions!

Cleanse the Skin and Pat it Dry

Start with freshly cleansed skin, as this will enhance absorption and wash away any residual products that may cause irritation if combined with enzymes. Opt for only gentle and non-stripping formulas—like our hydrating Aloe Vera Cleansing Gel or ultra-nourishing Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm—and gently pat skin dry after rinsing.

Avoiding Harsh Exfoliants Beforehand

While enzyme peels are a milder form of facial peels, they’re still considered quite strong. That said, to prevent over-exfoliation, avoid abrasive scrubs directly before applying your peel, and stop using chemical exfoliants like Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs) for three to five days before your peel. Additionally, it’s best to take a break from strong actives like Retinol five to seven days beforehand.

Applying the Enzyme Peel

Smooth on a thin and even layer of the enzyme peel using clean fingertips or a mask brush. Avoid sensitive areas like the under-eye and around the lips, as these enzymes may irritate these delicate areas.

How Long to Leave It On

Application times will vary across products, so it’s crucial to follow your peel’s specific directions carefully. In general, most enzyme peels are left on for only a short period of time (about three to fifteen minutes), though some milder formulations are meant to be left on for hours or even overnight. We formulated our enzyme peels for quick results, requiring only three to five minutes to get to work!

Removing the Peel

When your time is up, gently rinse off with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser (again, gentle, non-stripping formulas—no harsh scrubs or actives!) to ensure no residue is left behind.

Post-Peel Care

To maintain your smooth and glowing results, you’ll want to carefully care for your skin after your peel. The most important step is to replenish it and keep it hydrated—opt for soothing and nourishing moisturizers, like our best-selling Calendula Essential Hydrating Cream. Your skin will be more susceptible to irritation post-peel, so avoid abrasive scrubs, chemical exfoliants, and strong actives like Retinoids for a couple of days. Enzyme peels also increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun, so be sure to limit sun exposure, be consistent with your SPF, and wear sun-protective accessories like a hat if going outside for at least a week after your treatment.

Another key after-care step is to listen to your skin. If you notice unusual or uncomfortable redness, irritation, or tenderness after your peel, you may need to use a gentler formula or avoid enzyme peels altogether.

How Often to Use Enzyme Peels

Now that you know how to use enzyme peels, it’s important to understand how often to use them and which factors will help determine this. However, the answer isn’t so straightforward, as there’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to application. Let’s dive in…

Why Frequency Matters

While you’ll likely notice an instant improvement in texture and radiance after one or two uses, more significant benefits like treating acne, fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and smoothing fine lines will take some time. That’s why frequency and consistency is important. At the same time, using an enzyme peel too often can cause over-exfoliation, resulting in redness, sensitivity, dryness, and peeling. Finding the right balance for your skin type and skin concerns is key, so be sure to follow formula directions while also ensuring your skin recovers between treatments.

Suggestions for Different Skin Types

Much like your skin type should help guide your choice of formula, it should also determine how often to use an enzyme peel for best results. Sensitive, very dry, and mature skin types should use enzyme peels less frequently than normal and oily skin types. For example, if a formula is recommended to be used every one to two weeks for normal skin types, someone with very dry or sensitive skin may want to use it every three, whereas someone with oily skin may be able to use it weekly. This will differ from case to case, of course, as some formulas are mild enough to be used multiple times per week. For this reason, it’s important to follow any directions carefully and not go overboard.

Signs of Overuse and When to Adjust

Pay close attention to how your skin tolerates your enzyme peel after the first few uses. While mild redness and sensitivity can be expected, these should subside within a few hours to a day. However, if you notice excessive redness, prolonged sensitivity, flaking or peeling skin, increased breakouts, or uncomfortable tightness—especially if these symptoms persist for more than a few hours after application—you may be overusing the peel or using a formula that’s too strong. In this case, consider stopping or decreasing usage. If you experience any extreme reactions, it’s best to check in with your dermatologist for personalized guidance.

Closing Thoughts On How to Use Enzyme Peels

Enzyme peels can be powerful exfoliating treatments for smooth, healthy, and glowing skin—so long as you know how to use them and how often! While learning how to use enzyme peels is pretty straightforward, it’s important to consider factors like formula strength, your skin type, and your specific skin concerns. Of course, proper prep, application, and aftercare are also essential. If you’re new to using enzyme peels, we offer a collection of enzyme peels that are gentle enough for most skin types, carefully crafted to address different skin concerns, and deliver results in as little as three minutes!