One of the fundamental tenets of skincare devoteeism is thou must always exfoliate your skin. It’s an absolutely non-negotiable step for both skin and body care, as exfoliation does what your body naturally can’t – it sloughs away dead skin cells that would otherwise be laying atop your skin, creating a dull, dry, and uneven appearance. The result of exfoliating is brighter, smoother, softer, and generally better looking skin… but what do you do if traditional exfoliants are just too abrasive for your skin type?
It’s a frustrating fact that some skin types, namely ultra-sensitive, dry, or redness-prone, can react badly to even the gentlest of chemical and physical exfoliants, such as those formulated with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). While many skincare lovers will be able to introduce these products into their regimen over time if done so carefully and slowly, others may not have this luxury, or perhaps just need a quick fix to revitalise their skin in a hurry. Enter fruit enzymes, the super gentle, natural exfoliants that are perfect for giving sensitive skin a gorgeous glow.
What are fruit enzymes and how do they benefit the skin?
Fruit enzymes are proteins found in a range of fruits, and a few veggies, too. Some of the most common fruits that bear skin-refreshing enzymes are tropical fruits – think mangoes, pineapple, papaya, and citrus fruits such as orange and tangelo. The main job of fruit enzymes is to act as a catalyst, provoking and accelerating a reaction or process that wouldn’t happen unassisted or as quickly otherwise. On the skin, fruit enzymes trigger the keratin that sticks dead skin cells together to break down, releasing them from the skin’s layer and allowing them to slough off and reveal fresher, newer, and more healthy skin.
The biggest benefits of using fruit enzymes as your main exfoliant rather than a formula that contains chemical actives or harsh granules is that fruit enzymes are non-irritating. This makes them ideal for sensitive skin types, people with rosacea or skin conditions like dermatitis, or simply those who are looking to simplify and tone down their routine by using gentler products. They also don’t disrupt the skin’s pH levels, which means less damage to your skin barrier – which is a huge win for those with dry skin or physical ageing concerns, as the skin barrier (among many other things) is responsible for locking hydration in and keeping free radicals and pollutants out.
What is an exfoliating cleanser?
There are a bunch of fantastic products around that employ fruit enzymes for ultra-gentle exfoliation, such as peels, toners, and fruit enzyme masks. But, our ultimate favourite way to reap the rewards of fruit enzymes is through an exfoliating cleanser. This takes a step out of your skincare routine – benefiting your wallet, your time management, and your impact on the environment – and it also helps to reveal a smoother, clearer base for all the products you apply thereafter, such as your toner and serum.
The Remake Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme Cleanser is an exfoliating face cleanser formulated with fruit enzymes from tropical citrus fruit tangelo, which is actually a hybrid of a tangerine and a pomelo! Starring alongside this trending ingredient is niacinamide, AKA vitamin B3, a killer addition to any product that has ample benefits for most skin types. Niacinamide is an antioxidant (the Marvel superhero of the skincare world) which means it first and foremost works to protect the skin against damage from free radicals and environmental stressors. This means fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and more even skin tone and texture. As well as protecting the skin, niacinamide is amazing for treating breakouts, which it does by controlling sebum production, and at strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier, too.
How to use the Remake Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme Cleanser
With all the benefits of both tangelo enzymes and niacinamide, the Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme cleanser’s bag is this – gentle yet effective exfoliation, paired with an overall skin-strengthening effect that’ll keep the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. It’s the ideal first step in your skincare routine, whether that’s of a morning or in the evening.
To use Hello Tangelo, simply apply to damp skin and massage in circular motions to remove dirt, oil, impurities, and makeup. After about a minute, rinse your Hello Tangelo off well using a face cloth and warm (not hot!) water, and it’ll leave skin looking clean and feeling fresh. Follow with your usual skincare routine – because it’s an antioxidant, and your cleanser is being rinsed off the skin, niacinamide should not cause any conflicts with other products.
Who should use Hello Tangelo?
One of the best bits about the Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme Cleanser is that it’ll suit literally any skin type. Fruit enzymes, as we now know, are some of the gentlest ingredients around, which means they’re ideal for all kinds of skin, including acne-prone and oily skin. In particular, though, we love this cleanser for dry skin and sensitive skin, as the enzymes in tangelo are much gentler than typical exfoliants, making it a safe yet effective choice to reveal a brighter complexion.
However, one thing to keep in mind about products formulated with fruit enzymes is that they aren’t always enough for certain skin concerns. This is because fruit enzymes only work on the surface of the skin, rather than penetrating deeper down into its layers like a BHA would, for instance. So, if you have more complicated skin concerns, such as acne or hyperpigmentation, consider pairing your Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme Cleanser with a more intense chemical exfoliant every couple of days. Don’t overdo it, though – over-exfoliation will just lead to red, irritated, unhappy skin, so go gentle and always remember to patch test.
Ready for that tangelo glow? Explore Remake’s full range of products, including the Hello Tangelo Active Enzyme Cleanser – the perfect pick-me-up for your skin. All Remake products are vegan, cruelty-free, and produced using sustainable ingredients and packaging.