A'pieu Enzyme Powder Wash for dry sensitive skin
Papain
Bromelain
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Willow Bark Extract
Sodium Lauroyl Aspartate
Low
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A weak match for dry sensitive skin; the products alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry sensitive skin: flakiness, tightness, redness, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 dry and flaky skin, as papain and aspergillus ferment provide enzymatic action to smooth texture, though it lacks sufficient emollients to fully address dryness.
- Willow bark extract and willow leaf extract offer some soothing benefits, which is supportive for your dry and sensitive skin.
- The formula is safe for your dry and sensitive skin, with no harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate.
How to apply
- Use your enzyme powder cleanser PM once a week as part of your weekly routine, and start slowly to check your skin's tolerance.
- Place this step right after your regular cleanser and before your hydrating toner, following the weekly routine order.
- Mix the powder with a little water in your hands to create a soft foam, then gently massage it onto your face without rubbing hard.
- Apply the foam on slightly damp skin to keep your dry flakes comfortable and safe from extra irritation.
- Be sure to avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before your very first use.
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
Why is A'pieu Enzyme Powder Wash a weak match for dry sensitive skin?
A'pieu Enzyme Powder Wash is a weak match because it lacks sufficient emollients to fully address dryness, even though it provides moderate exfoliation and soothing benefits. A cleanser of this type needs rich moisturizing components and hydrating ingredients to protect dry skin and support its moisture levels.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a weak match because it lacks the rich moisturizing ingredients and skin softeners that dry sensitive skin needs to stay comfortable and hydrated. An effective cleanser for this skin type requires nourishing moisturizers and barrier-supporting components to lock in hydration during washing.
What does Papain do for dry sensitive skin?
Papain is generally too harsh for dry, sensitive skin because it breaks down skin proteins and may cause irritation and barrier disruption. Instead, dry and sensitive skin needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like glycerin or soothing plant extracts to keep the skin calm and smooth.
What does Bromelain do for dry sensitive skin?
Bromelain may help gently remove dead skin cells to keep your skin smooth, but it can sometimes irritate delicate areas. Because dry sensitive skin easily gets red or uncomfortable with active ingredients, a product of this type needs soothing hydrators and a very gentle formula to protect your skin barrier.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is used in the morning and evening routine for dry sensitive skin, though it is a weak match because this skin type needs extra rich moisturizing ingredients to prevent dryness alongside gentle cleansing.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine, but a cleanser of this type for dry sensitive skin needs plenty of rich emollients to protect against irritation from retinol. Use this cleanser first to wash your face, follow with a soothing toner, and then apply your retinol treatment.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This enzyme powder cleanser is a weak match for your dry sensitive skin, so you should start using it just once a week. An exfoliator of this type needs rich moisturizing ingredients and soothing elements to keep your skin soft and smooth.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin, as it contains no heavy oils. However, because it removes dead skin cells with fruit enzymes, a product of this type needs rich moisturizing ingredients and skin-softening emollients to fully protect dry skin.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2019Bioactive 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 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, 2026Topical 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, 2025A 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, 2024Topical treatment with 2% Salix alba bark extract cream improved dark circles, skin microcirculation, and elasticity in 29 subjects over 8 weeks.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023
Why other products fit dry sensitive skin better
Bacterial cellulose masks incorporated with vegetable extract increased skin hydration by 76% in 75% of volunteers, while propolis extract decreased hydration by 32.6% in 80% of volunteers, demonstrating effectiveness for skincare applications.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2018
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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