Ingredients

The benefits of papaya fruit enzymes for your skin

When it comes to skincare, particularly for those with sensitive skin, finding the right ingredients can be a delicate balance. One ingredient that we love for its gentle yet effective exfoliating properties is papaya fruit enzyme. This natural powerhouse is perfect for coping with stressed, blemish-prone skin, especially when you also have sensitive skin. So, we've created this guide on papaya fruit enzymes and how they can be a game-changer for sensitive skin.

What are enzymes?

The enzymes within fruit are natural catalysts; this means they modify or increase the rate of a reaction without being consumed by the reaction. Most enzymes are proteins and their functional activity helps to regulate intrinsic functions and changes we see every day, such as fruit ripening in your kitchen and colour changes in plant leaves if they receive too much or too little water.

How are enzymes used in skincare?

In skincare, fruit enzymes are most commonly used as a safe and gentle form of exfoliation. Exfoliation is an important part of your skincare as it serves a vital role of removing the outer layer of dead skin cells that trap both bacteria and sebum. This helps to promote a clear, more radiant complexion.

How are enzymes better than physical exfoliants?

Sensitive skin can react adversely to traditional exfoliants, which can cause redness, irritation, and inflammation. Papaya fruit enzymes offer a gentle alternative. They work by dissolving the bonds between dead skin cells, allowing them to be easily washed away without the need for abrasive scrubbing. This means you can achieve a smoother, brighter complexion without compromising your skin’s delicate balance.

How do papaya fruit enzymes work?

Papaya contains the proteolytic enzyme papain which helps to gently breakdown and digest large proteins that have accumulated on the skin. It's known as a "skin-debriding agent" for this reason, contributing to the breakdown of protein in the skin, helping to remove damaged skin cells, allowing the healthy tissue to heal. The papain found in papaya is attributed with soothing skin irritations and its anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal ingredient for acne and blemish-prone skin. Its natural and effective exfoliating properties brighten the skin by removing dead skin cells and flaky patches on the top layer of your skin.

Papaya can also help with hyperpigmentation which can occur after breakouts, and helps the skin to recover after any scarring. The combination of enzymes, phytochemicals and high beta-carotene content helps to brighten the skin and repair the skin's natural complexion.

It is also highly effective in retaining its proteolytic activity over a wide range of skin pH ranges, including those with acne or blemish prone skin where the facial skin pH tends to be lower than normal.

How do I use the Ally Recovery Facial Oil?

The papaya fruit enzymes help to gently remove the outer layer of dead skin cells that contribute to the build up of bacteria and sebum, so that skin is clearer, healthier and more radiant. It's why we include this fruit ingredient in our Ally Recovery Facial Oil. To use, massage a few drops into clean, damp skin morning and night as needed to soothe and calm irritated skin. You can then return to using the Hero Facial Oil as normal when skin has improved.

For blemish-prone skin, finding products that care for your skin while targeting blemishes can be a challenge, especially if you also have sensitive skin. Our Ally Recovery Facial Oil has been developed to help skin recover using the finest sustainable ingredients, including hemp seed oil, jojoba oil and papaya enzymes.

By Sarah