A'pieu Enzyme Powder Wash for sensitive skin
Papain
Bromelain
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Willow Bark Extract
Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate
Average
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your normal skin, as papain and aspergillus ferment provide enzymatic smoothing, while willow bark extract offers anti-inflammatory action to help with redness.
- Dipotassium glycyrrhizate and willow leaf extract further support soothing benefits, addressing your irritation concerns.
- The product is safe for your sensitive skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and increase usage only if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply this enzyme powder cleanser after your regular cleanser, and before your hydrating toner and moisturizer.
- Pour a small amount into wet hands, lather into a foam, and gently massage onto your face without harsh rubbing.
- For sensitive skin, apply this product on slightly damp skin to ensure better tolerance and comfort.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your very first use to prevent irritation.
People Say
★4.8Overall rating based on 100+ reviewsBased on limited data, this exfoliating cleanser was a cult favorite, highly praised for its gentle exfoliation and non-stripping, hydrating properties, leaving skin soft and bright. It was particularly effective for sensitive and acne-prone skin in removing dead skin cells and sebum. Users frequently lament its discontinuation and difficulty in finding it.
Highlights
Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
- “Particles are fine and incredibly gentle”
- “Mild enough for daily use”
- “Exfoliates without making skin feel squeaky clean”
Discontinued, hard to find Mostly Mentioned
- “Heartbreaking that this perfect product has been discontinued”
- “Gone for good”
- “Can't get our hands on it anymore”
Good value Often Mentioned
- “Shockingly affordable”
- “Price is incredibly wallet-friendly”
- “Generous quantity”
Non-stripping, hydrating Often Mentioned
- “No tightness after cleansing”
- “Skin doesn't feel dry or tight”
- “Leaves skin feeling velvety”
Deep cleansing Sometimes Noted
- “Removes excess sebum”
- “Cleansing effectiveness is excellent”
- “Face feels fresh and bright”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “Lid feels a bit flimsy”
- “Vulnerable to moisture”
- “Easy to use too much product”
Scent not for all Rarely Noted
- “Scent isn't great”
- “Typical for fermented products”
- “Unique scent”
Sources: lovi.care, hwahae.co.kr, reddit.com, yesstyle.com, ebay.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does A'pieu Enzyme Powder Wash work for sensitive skin?
This enzyme powder cleanser works decently for sensitive skin, though other products fit it better. A cleanser of this type needs soothing ingredients like allantoin and gentle enzymes to calm redness and irritation while cleaning effectively without any risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Papain, aspergillus ferment, and willow bark extract make this cleanser a good fit because they gently smooth the surface and help calm redness. Dipotassium glycyrrhizate and willow leaf extract further support soothing benefits to address your irritation concerns. For this skin, a cleanser of this type needs gentle cleansing agents, enzymatic exfoliants, soothing extracts like allantoin, and hydrating agents to keep the skin calm and balanced.
What does Papain do for sensitive skin?
Papain is not a good fit for sensitive skin because it can disrupt the skin barrier, cause inflammation, and act as a strong allergen. Sensitive skin needs gentle, soothing, and repairing ingredients that protect the outer layer rather than break it down.
What does Bromelain do for sensitive skin?
Bromelain may help clear away dead layers and soothe irritation, but it can be too harsh for sensitive skin. Sensitive skin needs gentle, calming ingredients like ceramides and soothing plant extracts instead of strong enzymes.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This enzyme powder cleanser goes in your weekly routine as an exfoliating step, used once a week to gently smooth your skin. Because this is an average fit for your sensitive skin, a product of this type needs soothing ingredients like calming plant extracts and gentle cleansers to keep your skin calm and comfortable.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this enzyme powder wash alongside retinol by keeping them on separate days or times to prevent irritation, since the cleanser provides moderate exfoliation. A cleanser for this skin also needs gentle, calming ingredients like dipotassium glycyrrhizate and soothing plant extracts to keep the skin comfortable.
How often should I use it?
Use this enzyme powder cleanser once a week to keep your sensitive skin calm and smooth. This type of skin needs gentle cleansers with soothing ingredients like dipotassium glycyrrhizate and willow bark extract.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on sensitive skin, as it has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation. However, because it only offers an average fit for your skin, a cleanser for this skin type needs gentle calming ingredients and soothing plant extracts like willow bark and dipotassium glycyrrhizate to keep pores clear without causing flare-ups.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A topical formulation containing panthenol, niacinamide, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate increased skin hydration by 74.1% and reduced transepidermal water loss by 13.5% at 28 days compared to baseline and untreated control in 35 individuals with xerosis.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate-loaded hydroxypropyl chitosan and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels applied to wounds in a mouse full-thickness skin defect model resulted in rapid wound closure, efficient tissue remolding, collagen deposition, and decreased inflammation compared to commercial Tegaderm film and 3M dressing controls.
Acta Biomaterialia, 2022A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016A fixed combination of hydroxypinacolone retinoate, retinol glycospheres, and papain glycospheres in aqueous gel applied once daily for 12 weeks achieved a 41% mean reduction in GAGS score and a 40.8% mean reduction in total lesions, with 15.3% of patients experiencing mild to moderate local side effects, in 94 evaluable patients with comedonal-papular, mild to moderate acne of the face.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Reflux extraction of Carica papaya leaves yielded higher antioxidant capacity and superior in vitro wound-healing activities including fibroblast proliferation, cell migration, and collagen synthesis in human skin fibroblasts compared to ultrasonic-assisted extraction and agitation.
Molecules, 2020Oral bromelain slightly reduced pain compared to controls (mean difference -0.27) and topical bromelain reduced time to complete debridement by 6.89 days, with no major health risks reported.
Nutrition and Health, 2023An upcycled pineapple leaf fibre crosspolymer forms a physical barrier that protects against environmental aggressors while providing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipollution, UV protection, hydration, and hair benefits.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2026A coaxial electrospun core-shell nanofiber scaffold delivering bromelain and salvianolic acid B demonstrated sustained drug release, in vitro endothelial cell migration, increased capillary formation in an in ovo assay, and in vivo efficacy for skin regeneration and wound healing.
Biomedical Materials, 2017Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010A novel emulsion containing niacinamide, lens esculenta seed extract, and white willow bark extract effectively improved acne, blackheads, and conspicuous facial pores in 30 subjects with oily skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Lauric Acid, Maltodextrin, Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate, Sodium Isethionate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Zea Mays Starch, Water, Butylene Glycol, Willow Bark Extract, Willow Leaf Extract, Sodium Palmitate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Papain, Aspergillus Ferment, Titanium Dioxide
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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