Tag: enzyme

The At-Home Peel

At one time, peels required a doctor’s visit, inspired fear and often disappointed on results. Not to mention the healing time required afterward. Today, peels have transformed into a satisfying step in skin care that you can do at home with next day results! I’ve heard so much banter on the twitter waves lately about these products, that I had to share my favorites.

  1. Glamglow isn’t a peel in the name, but accomplishes many of the same goals. And it is no longer an underground cult favorite – Glamglow was a Neiman Marcus Beauty Award Winner in2012! It is popular in Hollywood, but the mud base hails from Southern France, home to glamorous Cannes, St. Tropez and Monaco. Glamglow was a proprietary technology that allows ‘Super-Squalene’, a moisturizer, and ‘EGCG Super-Antioxidants’ direct into the mud from the pieces of tea leaves. This can be quite granular, so be gentle, but you will not believe your glow afterwards.
  2. Sulwhasoo Skin Clarifying Mask (also technically not a peel, but I had to include it since you peel it off) is a very gentle and very gratifying way to lift out impurities and dead skin cells to detoxify and clarify dull, devitalized, and problem skin. Korean medicinal herbs on in this honey like formula that you allow to dry on your face and then literally peel off. This is better for those who lean to the oilier side of skin.
  3. Dr. Dennis Gross Skinare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel is a peel designed for daily use because it is so gentle. I love the simple two step proccess: simply wipe the face with a pad from Step 1, wait two minutes, then repeat with Step 2. This stuff can stand up to any problem: fights wrinkles, balances oil, tones skin, increases clarity and radiance, and calms redness.
  4. For those with sensitive skin try Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Tolerance Enzyme Peel reviewed here. Instead of glycolic or lactic acid, this Peel uses enzymes. It has a great texture that is rubbed in until it liquifies. My skin looked brighter and more even immediately after I used it. There was absolutely no tingling at all.
  5. La Prairie Cellular Resurfacing 3-Minute Peel is a little more active. I could feel tingling, but wasn’t left with any redness. They recommend using this once a week, which I would adhear to. La Prairie is serious about the inclusion of “professional level” exfoliants, including AHAs, BHA, Salicylic Acid and Mixed Fruit Acids. The skin is retexturized by the removal of surface debris. My skin was incredibly smooth and evened after using.
  6. Kate Somerville Micro Glycolic Polisher uses both glycolic AND lactic acid work together to promote surface cell turnover, gently and effectively. At the same time, she added anti-aging to leave us with a youthful glow. Can it get any better? Blue Lotus extract delivers anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits to calm skin and fight against free-radical damage. This doesn’t cause my skin to tingle at all and I can see immediate results.And I’m already hooked on Felicia’s, Bergdorf’s Social Media Beauty Editor, trick: “Add one pump of Micro Glycolic Polisher to your regular night time moisturizer for a little overnight mild exfoliation. Wake up glowy.
  7. Kate Somerville also makes Clinic-To-Go™ Resurfacing Peel Pads which are genius for travelling. When I first started using them, I did get a little tingle. No more. I love having these around for the evening after a long airplane ride or the night before an early morning important meeting.

Do you use a peel?

Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Tolerance Enzyme Peel

I frequently recommend glycolic or lactic acid to readers who want an exfolating treatment, but sometimes even gentiler lactic acid can be too much for the most sensitive of skin. So, I’ve been on the hunt for something results-oriented but that still didn’t irritate. Cue NB Tolerance Enzyme Peel. I did not experience even one tingle and my skin was left with zero redness.  Talk about fostering some serious radiance! And all while remaining exceptionally effective gentle.

I almost hate to use the word “peel” when discussing this product because it sounds so extreme. But does precisely that: “a non-aggressive (granule-free) micro-exfoliation of the most damaged layers of the skin”. The formula is hypoallergenic, alcohol and paraben-free. Enzymes remove impurities and dead skin that can lead to dullness. The formula includes:

  • prickly pear (opuntia ficus)
  • papaya (carica papaya)
  • botanical extract of chamomile that soothes, decongests, and maintains the skin’s natural pH balance
  • sugar extract from bio-fermented Zea Mays

The highlight of using this product probably was the process of massaging until texture is “modified”. I didn’t quite know what this meant before using, but as I was massaging the product info my face – probably after a minute or two – there was suddenly a liquified state that had more slip. After the transformation, the gel-like mask was easy to rinse/wipe away.

Natura Bisse is a somewhat new line to me. After the Ceutical Tolerance Enzyme Peel, I am anxious to try more of the natural skin-care line. Founders, Ricardo Fisas and wife, Maria Gloria Vergas, have been dedicated with luxury treatments featuring natural free-form amino acids for over 30 years.