Hey everyone, I have a skincare confession to make: I've never tried enzyme face washes, like ever...until today! Now that this secret is finally out there in the world, I can finally breathe and relax. Yes, we all have our skincare-related "sins," and as a person with the most annoying sebaceous filaments on my nose and chin, I realized that I should've tried enzyme powder sooner.
Luckily, I have this opportunity now and I'm willing to share my experience with all of you! Today, we are looking at the wonderful Milky Piggy Hell-Pore Clean Up Enzyme Powder Wash by K-beauty brand Elizavecca – a frequent guest on the pages of the LZBRGL blog. Well, are you ready to find out if this face wash is as great as some claim it to be?
About the Elizavecca Milky Piggy Hell-Pore Clean Up Enzyme Powder Wash
Hell-Pore Clean Up* is an enzyme powder wash that draws its cleansing power from natural sources – a corn starch combined with papain! The product claims to gently exfoliate the face and neck, removing old skin cells, impurities, and sebum. Unlike harsh mechanical scrubs, its enzymatic action provides a mild yet effective deep cleanse, making it suitable even for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
- Where to buy?
You can get your very own bottle of Hell-Pore Clean Up Enzyme Powder Wash on the official Elizavecca website or Amazon store. There is 80 g / 2.82 oz of the product in the bottle.
Packaging:
Let's rewind to the very beginning, because I absolutely have to mention the cute packaging! The cardboard outer box is as lovely and charming as ever. This time, the iconic Piggy mascot takes on a foam-like form, battling blackheads and dead skin cells with a new wave of soapy power.
Inside the box, a true gem – an off-white, retro-looking plastic bottle filled with a grainy powder, ready to be opened and used. It's truly an eye-catcher! I'm keeping this babe on my shelf for years to come. Aside from simply looking cute, the bottle has a dispenser on the top; it somehow reminds me of a miniature baby powder bottle. This dispenser will help you get just the right amount of powder for all your exfoliating needs.
Texture and Scent:
The texture is quite unique and surprising. It is grainy and sugary white, but with no transparency to the grains. These grains feel round and smooth to the touch; they are neither large nor too fine. But the most interesting feature is the scent of corn! It is very mild and feels pretty natural, and I love it! I remember the Elizavecca's CER-100 Collagen Coating Shampoo had a very similar fragrance, so if you like it, you should definitely check it out too.
When the powder comes in contact with water, it creates a thick, velvety foam. The best thing is that you can regulate the consistency of the foam by adding more or less water. Want a very thick, almost powdery texture? Then add less water. Want a thin, watery face wash – add less powder. Everything is simple.
Ingredients:
Now it is time to study what ingredients we get in the perfect bottle. So, the main ingredient is Zea Mays, aka the Corn Starch. Yes, surprisingly or not, this ingredient is very common in the skincare industry. Its absorbent particles are fantastic at tackling that pesky shine. If you're battling an oily complexion, corn starch can be your new best friend, effectively soaking up excess sebum and leaving you with a beautiful matte finish without ever stripping your skin. But it's not just about oil control! This gentle giant also works wonders as a soothing agent. Got irritated or inflamed skin? Corn starch's mild, non-sensitizing nature can help calm things down.
Now to the other, less abundant, but still precious and important ingredients in the formula:
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: A mild cleansing agent derived from coconut. It's known for creating a rich, creamy lather and being gentle on the skin, making it suitable even for sensitive skin.
- Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate: Another gentle amino acid-derived surfactant. It helps to create foam and thoroughly cleanse the skin while being biodegradable and mild, often used in "sulfate-free" formulations.
- Diglycerin: A humectant, meaning it attracts and holds water, helping to hydrate the skin. It's a slightly larger molecule than glycerin, offering similar moisturizing benefits.
- Allantoin: A well-known skin-soothing and healing ingredient. It helps to calm irritation, promote cell regeneration, and improve skin texture, making it beneficial for sensitive or compromised skin.
- Maltodextrin: A polysaccharide (type of carbohydrate) that can function as a film-forming agent, a binding agent, or a skin-conditioning agent. In enzyme powders, it often acts as a carrier or diluent for the enzymes.
- Papain: An enzyme derived from papaya fruit. In skincare, it acts as a proteolytic enzyme, meaning it breaks down proteins. This allows it to gently exfoliate the skin by dissolving dead skin cells, helping to unclog pores and reveal a brighter complexion without mechanical scrubbing.
- What are enzymes?
But what are these enzymes, and where does all the praise come from? So, enzymes are natural proteins that act as biological catalysts, simply saying they speed up the rate of chemical reactions. They help break down the keratin proteins that bind dead skin cells to the skin's surface. The action is similar to that of AHAs and BHAs, but with slight differences. Dr. Mamina Turegano, in the video ''How to Exfoliate Your Skin with AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, & Enzymes'' explains: ''Natural fruit enzymes break down Keratin, while being very gentle and soothing to the skin with minimum irritation."
How to Use Elizavecca Enzyme Powder Wash?
To use, dispense a small amount of face wash – typically a coin-sized portion – into your palm. Add a few drops of water to create a creamy, frothy lather. The key is to activate the enzymes, so ensure a consistent, milky texture before applying. Gently massage the lather onto your damp face in circular motions, focusing on areas prone to congestion or dullness, but avoiding the immediate eye area. The enzymes in skincare work to digest dead skin cells and impurities, so there's no need for vigorous scrubbing.
After about 30-60 seconds, rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until no residue remains. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel and follow with your regular skincare routine, such as toner, serum, and moisturizer. For most skin types, using an enzyme powder wash two to three times a week is sufficient to maintain a healthy glow without over-exfoliation.
My Experience:
As I've mentioned above, one of my main skin concerns at the moment is those annoying sebaceous filaments. Of course, they are normal and natural parts of healthy skin, but we all want a smoother skin – a clearer canvas to work with. While salicylic and glycolic acids are great at cleansing and smoothing the skin, they never seem to work on my nose. The same goes for retinoids (I've been using over-the-counter retinols for a few years now) – they don't do anything to keep those filaments at bay. So, naturally, I wanted to try something else.
Well, the results are great! I have a feeling that the enzyme powder wash is even gentler than my favorite Charcoal Cleanser by Elizavecca. The application is easy, the foam is silky-soft, and the results are gentle. I can't say that my sebaceous filaments disappeared, but the skin felt very smooth and dryness-free, which is crucial, in my opinion.
Final Verdict…
Hydration: 👍👍👍👎(9/10)
Texture: 👍👍👍👎(9/10)
Overall: 👍👍👍👎 (9/10)
I love, love, love Elizavecca's Enzyme Powder Wash! I can't believe I haven't tried it before! It's just fantastic. A little of the powder goes a long way, so this little bottle should last a long, long time! Who would've thought that corn starch and papain are such good buddies? I would recommend this face wash to anyone with dry and sensitive skin. I believe you'll find it very gentle and effective for you. The only downside is that you might need some time to get used to understanding the right consistency you are getting with it. Also, make sure to thoroughly rinse your skin afterwards to avoid a powdery residue on the skin.
