MEDIHEAL Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad for combination skin
Betaine Salicylate
Papain
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Hydroxyacetophenone
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few products fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 oily shine and combination skin, as betaine salicylate and papain work to gently remove dead skin cells and regulate texture.
- This formula is highly suitable for your combination skin, with betaine salicylate and papain providing keratolytic action and desquamation regulation.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant product in your PM routine starting once a week, then increase frequency carefully if your skin feels fine.
- Apply this exfoliant step after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and wait a minute before layering.
- Apply the exfoliant to clean, dry skin to help control your oily shine comfortably.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 1000+ reviewsUsers consistently praise these pads for their ability to gently exfoliate and smooth rough skin texture without causing irritation, making them suitable for sensitive skin. While effective for reducing small bumps, blackheads, and dead skin cells to reveal a "glass skin" glow, they may be too mild for deep cystic acne or stubborn whiteheads.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “softens rough patches”
- “removes tiny bumps”
- “leaves face silky”
- “refines uneven skin”
- “glass skin finish”
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “non-irritating daily use”
- “no stinging”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “mild enzyme action”
- “safe for morning routine”
Hydrating finish Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't strip moisture”
- “leaves a glow”
- “non-drying formula”
- “feels like a treatment mask”
- “moisturizing essence”
Pore & blackhead care Sometimes Noted
- “clears sebaceous filaments”
- “reduces blackhead visibility”
- “unclogs pores”
- “minimizes pore appearance”
- “cleaner nose area”
Quality pad design Sometimes Noted
- “large square size”
- “dual-sided texture”
- “holds lots of essence”
- “covers cheeks well”
- “convenient tweezers included”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “earthy smell”
- “medicinal fragrance”
- “strong herbal scent”
- “smells like dirt/plants”
- “bothersome to sensitive noses”
Lack of potency Rarely Noted
- “didn't clear deep acne”
- “too gentle for heavy congestion”
- “no visible difference”
- “slow results”
- “not strong enough for oily skin”
Minor irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused small breakouts”
- “redness on cheeks”
- “slight burning sensation”
- “sensitized barrier”
- “allergic reaction”
Poor adhesion as mask Rarely Noted
- “pads slide off”
- “too thick to stick”
- “doesn't conform to face”
- “falls off while moving”
- “better for wiping than masking”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “feels tacky after use”
- “greasy on oily nose”
- “takes time to absorb”
- “interferes with makeup if not dried”
- “heavy finish”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes MEDIHEAL Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad a great fit for combination skin?
This product is a great fit for your combination skin because betaine salicylate and papain offer moderate exfoliation to help manage oily shine and smooth texture. Its formula is very safe and unlikely to cause irritation, making it exceptionally well-suited for your skin type.
Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Skin Research and Technology, 2003
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?
Betaine salicylate and papain make this exfoliant a great fit for combination skin by gently removing dead skin cells and smoothing out texture. These ingredients help balance oily shine while keeping irritation very unlikely.
Skin Research and Technology, 2003Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015
What does Betaine Salicylate do for combination skin?
Betaine Salicylate helps keep combination skin clear and smooth by clearing out pores and calming redness. It is unlikely to cause irritation, making it gentle enough for everyday use on mixed skin types.
What does Papain do for combination skin?
Papain gently exfoliates the skin by breaking down dead surface proteins, which helps keep oily and dry areas balanced and smooth. It is unlikely to cause severe irritation when used properly, though mild tingling may occur.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine, placed after cleansing and before moisturizing. Start by using it once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by using them on alternate nights to avoid irritation. Applying an enzyme treatment helps smooth texture, while spacing out your active products keeps your skin calm and balanced.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results. This gentle approach helps smooth your combination skin and control oily shine without irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for your combination skin because betaine salicylate and papain gently remove dead skin cells and help control oily shine. It is unlikely to clog pores or cause irritation, as the formula has a very safe profile and contains no harsh ingredients.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2015A combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio synergistically increased aquaporin 3 expression by up to 380% in keratinocytes and safely improved skin hydration in healthy volunteers.
Molecules, 2024Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.
Skin Research and Technology, 2003Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.
Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016Reflux 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, 2020Carica papaya leaf extracts obtained via supercritical fluid and conventional methods demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective effects on skin fibroblasts against oxidative stress, driven by their respective lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents.
Molecules, 2021Capryloyl salicylic acid peel reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation comparably to glycolic acid peel in 44 female volunteers, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Combining a salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid facial serum and mask improved closed comedones and acne severity significantly more than serum alone in adults with acne over 8 weeks, with no adverse reactions reported.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Parity was demonstrated between an OTC BPO 5.5% formulation with lipohydroxy acid and tretinoin cream 0.025% versus prescription clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% gel and tretinoin cream 0.025% in participants with mild to moderate acne vulgaris at 12 weeks.
Cutis, 2012Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Papain, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Beta-Glucan, Mentha Arvensis Oil Leaf
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
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