Last year, I stumbled on the use of enzyme masks for gentle chemical exfoliation. At first, I was a little bit discouraged after reading the Paula Choice website about the disadvantages of enzyme masks but I decided to give them a shot anyway. After a little Google Search, I decided to purchase two from Iherb.com, this Andalou Naturals Kombucha Enzyme Exfoliating Peel* and Alba Botanica Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask.*
By the way, Iherb does international shipping to a number of countries.
Cost: $11.96 (Iherb.com)
Product details

Grapefruit Kombucha, pineapple, and papaya enzymes loosen and exfoliate dull, dry surface cells, unclogging pores and stimulating circulation for improved clarity, tone, and texture. Fruit Stem Cell Complex and Vitamin C boost healthy cell renewal for a clear, refreshed complexion.

Suggested Use

Apply evenly to clean, dry skin. Avoid eye and lip areas. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse clean with cool water. Use 1-3 times per week, as needed.

Ingredients

Aloe barbadensis and citrus paradisi (pink grapefruit) juices, saccharomyces xylinum (kombucha) black tea ferment, pectin, vegetable glycerin, cyamopsis tetragonolobus (guar) gum, papain, bromelain, hyaluronic acid, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C), fruit stem cells (malus domestica, solar vitis) and bioactive 8 berry complex, lauric acid, salix alba (willow bark) extract, hibiscus rosa-sinensis and aspalathus linearis (rooibos) extracts, arginine, phenethyl alcohol, ethylhexylglycerin, citrus tangerina (tangerine) and cymbopogon martini (palmarosa) oils.

My experience
I usually apply this mask on Saturday or Sunday night to cleansed skin using my Sephora Collection mask application spatula. I alternate it every other week with the Alba Botanica Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask*.

I leave it on for only 10 minutes just like it says in the instructions. It has a gel-like consistency and doesn’t dry on your face the way mud masks do.

It tingles very lightly. After rinsing it off, my face feels smooth. Then, I apply a gentle moisturiser or these days, I use a 1% Hydrocortisone cream.

Since it is in a tube, I think that the enzymes might be more stable than the Alba Botanica Enzyme mask which comes in a jar. It is quite effective at reducing active acne I might have. By the next morning, I notice that they have all dried up.

Cons

• I think in terms of how smooth my face feels afterwards, I prefer the Alba Botanica Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask slightly. Read my review of the Alba Botanica HERE.
• My face feels slightly stripped.
• It is almost the same price as the Alba Botanica enzyme mask but  has less product.

I would recommend it for people with normal to oily skin. If you have sensitive skin, you should use something more gentle.

UPDATE: I NO LONGER USE THIS MASK OR THE ALBA BOTANICA ENZYME MASK BECAUSE I HAD TO STREAMLINE MY FACE REGIMEN AND I DECIDED THIS WAS NOT VERY IMPORTANT.

Have you ever used an enzyme/chemical exfoliator?

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