An enzyme peel uses natural fruit enzymes — rather than acids or physical scrubbing — to gently break down the bonds holding dead skin cells in place. It's one of the mildest ways to exfoliate, which is why it's often recommended for sensitive, reactive or dry skin.
Seeking a quick, natural method of exfoliation? Let us introduce the enzyme peel. Designed to leave your complexion radiant and refreshed for a more confident look and feel — all with less risk of irritation than traditional exfoliation.
Read on to discover more about the benefits and how to create an effective enzyme peel facial with our Enzyme Exfoliator, formulated and made in Austria.
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What Is an Enzyme?
An enzyme is a protein that accelerates chemical reactions in the body and supports natural functions such as respiration, digestion, and nerve function, as well as overall skin health. In skincare, enzymes are naturally derived from fruits, including apples, kiwi, and papaya, as featured in our Enzyme Exfoliator.
What Does an Enzyme Peel Do?
The natural fruit enzymes work together to gently resurface the skin, loosening and lifting away the outermost layer of dead skin cells. As they work into the pores, this process helps clear away everyday buildup — from oil to environmental residue — that can leave skin looking dull or congested.
Enzyme Peel vs. Chemical & Manual Exfoliation: What's the Difference?
All exfoliators serve the same purpose: leaving skin fresher and more radiant by removing dead skin and encouraging cell turnover.
A manual exfoliator uses a granular scrub to physically buff away buildup, while a chemical exfoliator uses an acid-based formula — such as an AHA or BHA — to dissolve dead skin cells. Both are effective and can produce great results, but their stronger, sometimes abrasive action carries a higher risk of irritation.
An enzyme peel is naturally milder, with less risk of redness or downtime, making it a better option for sensitive or dry skin. It doesn't exfoliate quite as deeply as an acid peel, but it's still effective in achieving soft, glowing skin — with a much lower margin for irritation.
What Are the Benefits of an Enzyme Peel?
We designed our Enzyme Exfoliator to offer a gentle yet purposeful facial treatment. Built around papaya, apple and kiwi fruit enzymes, alongside ectoin and vitamin C from papaya leaf extract, this peel offers a host of benefits for your skin:
- Removing dead skin cells and everyday buildup for a smoother, more even-looking complexion — rated 4.9 out of 5 across more than 370 customer reviews.
- Protecting against environmental stress. Ectoin forms a protective shield around skin cells, helping reduce the visible impact of UV exposure, pollution and other environmental stressors, while supporting the skin's capacity to hold onto moisture.
- Supporting skin elasticity. Papaya leaf extract, rich in enzymes and vitamin C, helps support the skin's natural elasticity.
- Smoothing texture and refining tone for a clearer, more radiant-looking complexion.
- Improving how skin absorbs the rest of your routine — with buildup cleared away, serums and moisturisers that follow can work more effectively.
- Clarifying the complexion, gently. In a 14-day consumer trial, 100% of participants reported softer, fresher-looking skin and 95% saw gentle exfoliation with no reported irritation. After 28 days, 93% said their skin looked healthier and 92% said it felt calmer.
How Often Should I Use an Enzyme Peel?
Despite its gentle formulation, everyday use isn't recommended for a fruit enzyme peel. Used once or twice weekly, following cleansing, it fits easily into an existing routine. To use, apply a thin layer over the face, avoiding the eye area. Relax with its fruity aroma for 15 minutes, then remove with a damp cloth or rinse away with lukewarm water. If your skin feels at all sensitive, reduce frequency. Unlike some exfoliators, no physical scrubbing is required.
How Can I Exfoliate the Body?
To achieve smooth, cleansed and healthier-looking skin from head to toe, discover our body scrubs. The Refining Scalp & Body Scrub exfoliates with apricot seed powder and blackcurrant seeds to improve skin texture and support scalp health.
FAQs
Is an enzyme peel the same as a chemical peel? No. A chemical peel uses acids, such as AHAs or BHAs, to dissolve dead skin cells, while an enzyme peel uses natural fruit enzymes to loosen them. Enzyme peels are gentler and carry a lower risk of irritation, though they don't exfoliate quite as deeply.
Is an enzyme peel suitable for sensitive or dry skin? Yes — this is where enzyme exfoliation tends to work best. Because it doesn't rely on acids or physical scrubbing, it's naturally milder than most other forms of exfoliation, with less risk of redness or downtime.
Do I need to scrub an enzyme peel into my skin? No. Apply a thin layer, leave it to work for around 15 minutes, then remove — no massaging or scrubbing required.
Can I use an enzyme peel every day? It's not recommended. Once or twice a week is enough for most skin types to see the benefit, following cleansing.
Can I use the Enzyme Exfoliator on my body as well as my face? It's formulated for the face. For the body, our Refining Scalp & Body Scrub and wider body scrub range are designed for that purpose.