ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash Review
BeautyBrief™
Brand
ELEMIS
Product
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash
Claims check
You get an enzyme-containing cleansing formula with a 108-person user trial supporting perceived smoothness and brightness, not measured resurfacing or barrier preservation.
Shopper fit
- Normal
- Combination
- Oily
Formula flags
- Fragrance
- Enzyme exfoliation from papain, protease and subtilisin.
Shopper preferences
- None Found
Key ingredients
| Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | Provides much of the cleansing action and helps create the light lather. |
|---|---|
| Glycerin | Adds established humectant support high in the formula. |
| Papain | Provides part of the enzyme-based exfoliation that helps loosen dull surface buildup. |
| Protease | Adds another enzyme pathway to the cleanser's resurfacing system. |
| Subtilisin | Completes the three-enzyme blend that distinguishes the formula from a basic wash. |
Price tier
$$$ Premium
Value check
At the Premium tier, you pay for enzyme-led cleansing and a polished sensory experience, while the available user trial does not demonstrate superiority over simpler cleanser-and-exfoliant routines.
Where to buy
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Bottom line
If you want enzyme exfoliation in a fragranced second-step cleanser, this gives you a distinct Premium format with supportive user feedback. A basic cleanser is better value when you already exfoliate separately or prefer to avoid fragrance.
If you want some exfoliation built into cleansing, ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash combines a lightly lathering cleanser with papain, protease and subtilisin. It is a Premium rinse-off option for a routine that benefits from a second cleanse with a surface-smoothing focus.
The tradeoffs are fragrance, the limits of a wash-off exfoliant, and the extra cost. If you already use a separate exfoliating treatment, this cleanser may add more overlap than value.
What it claims
ELEMIS describes Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash as a gently exfoliating gel cleanser for smoother, more refined-looking skin. It highlights its Tri-Enzyme Technology, conditioning babassu oil and Poria cocos extract, and claims resurfacing without disrupting the skin’s moisture barrier.[1]
The brand cites a 2014 independent user trial involving 108 people over two weeks: 90% reported smoother, softer-feeling skin, 87% reported a deeply cleansed feel, and 83% said skin looked brighter. These are participant-reported impressions.[1]
Claims vs. formula
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, cocamidopropyl betaine and coco-glucoside form the cleansing base that lifts daily surface oil and residue. Glycerin, glyceryl oleate, babassu oil and shea butter add conditioning support, although a rinse-off product is not a substitute for a moisturizer.
Papain, protease and subtilisin provide a credible enzyme-exfoliation rationale. A 2022 scientific review found that proteolytic enzymes have exfoliating potential, but identified relatively few clinical trials and emphasized that pH and enzyme stabilization matter to activity. Their presence in the ingredient list does not establish how much exfoliation this particular finished wash produces.[2]
The ELEMIS trial supports perceived smoothness, softness, cleansing and brightness after two weeks. It does not establish measured pigmentation correction, long-term texture changes, protection of the moisture barrier or superiority over a simpler cleanser.[1]
Ingredients that matter
The useful distinction is the overall combination: a surfactant cleansing system, conditioning ingredients and three proteolytic enzymes in one rinse-off format. The enzyme blend differentiates this cleanser from a basic face wash, but the finished formula and contact time determine how much that difference matters to your skin.
Glycerin is high in the ingredient list and supports a more comfortable cleansing base; glyceryl oleate and the small amounts of listed plant lipids add further conditioning. These ingredients are relevant to after-wash feel, not proof of lasting hydration from a cleanser.
The formula also contains fragrance, which contributes to its fruity-floral sensory experience rather than its cleansing or exfoliating performance. For you, fragrance tolerance and whether you need another exfoliating step matter more than the number of named enzymes.
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate is a well-established cleansing and foaming surfactant used mainly in rinse-off formulas. The complete surfactant system determines cleansing strength, mildness, and after-feel.
Read the IngredientBrief
Glycerin
If your skin feels dry or tight, glycerin helps your skin hold moisture. You don't need a high percentage or a separate serum when your moisturizer already works well.
Read the IngredientBrief
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cocamidopropyl Betaine is an established cleansing surfactant and foam booster. Irritation and contact allergy depend on the formula and may involve manufacturing impurities such as amidoamine or DMAPA.
Read the IngredientBrief
Fragrance
Fragrance is a scent blend added mainly for sensory appeal. Many shoppers tolerate it well, while specific fragrance materials can trigger irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible people.
Read the IngredientBriefSafety and regulatory context
If your skin reacts to fragrance, an otherwise well-formulated cleanser can still be unsuitable. The American Academy of Dermatology identifies fragrance as a common contact allergen and notes that even brief contact with facial cleansers can trigger a reaction in someone who is sensitive.[3]
ELEMIS directs you to massage one or two pumps with a little warm water, avoid the eye area and rinse thoroughly. If you already use leave-on exfoliating acids or retinoids, judge the combined routine by comfort rather than assuming more exfoliation is always better.[1]
What to expect in the short term
You can expect a creamy gel that develops a light lather, with cleansing as its most predictable immediate function. The brand’s user trial also reports softer, smoother-feeling skin, but the exact after-feel depends on your skin and the rest of your routine.
What to expect over time
With continued use, you may notice a smoother-looking surface if the formulation and frequency suit your skin. The two-week user trial does not tell you whether this wash produces durable exfoliation, meaningful pigment correction or results comparable to a leave-on treatment.
Who it fits
This is most relevant if your skin is normal, combination or oily and you want cleansing plus a modest exfoliating step in one product. Its strongest routine fit is as the second cleanse after makeup or heavier sunscreen has already been removed.
If your skin is very dry, fragrance-reactive or already irritated by exfoliants, a straightforward fragrance-free cleanser is an easier choice. You do not need an enzyme wash if your existing cleanser and treatment routine already work well.
Compare before you buy
Choose this format when you value a fragranced, conditioning cleanser with added enzyme-exfoliation potential. The Premium tier buys that combined format and the brand’s user-feedback data, not proven extra pigment correction.
Choose a simpler cleanser when you want to control exfoliation separately with a leave-on product, avoid fragrance or reduce routine cost without sacrificing basic cleansing.
Final Assessment
ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash brings a meaningful enzyme angle to a conditioning second cleanse, backed by product-specific user feedback for perceived softness and brightness. Its Premium value depends on whether you want exfoliation and fragrance within the cleansing step; the rinse-off format and limited outcome data do not establish a stronger treatment benefit than a simpler routine.
Where to buy
Choose a retailer to view current pricing and availability.
We may earn a commission through these links at no additional cost to you.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
- ELEMIS. Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash. Official U.S. product page, including ingredients, directions and 2014 user-trial disclosures. Accessed October 14, 2026.
- Trevisol TC, Henriques RO, Souza AJA, Furigo A Jr. An overview of the use of proteolytic enzymes as exfoliating agents. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022;21(8):3300–3307. doi:10.1111/jocd.14673.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Itchy rash could be contact dermatitis. Dermatologist-reviewed guidance.
