Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel for oily skin
Papaya Enzyme
Pineapple Extract
Niacinamide
Lactis Proteinum Milk Protein
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for oily skin; a few products fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 skin due to papain and pineapple fruit extract, which gently smooth texture and address oily shine. Niacinamide further supports oil control and skin barrier function, enhancing the overall benefits for your skin type.
- The inclusion of red algae extract provides mild hydration, complementing the exfoliating action for a balanced feel.
- The formula is safe for your skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like papain and pineapple fruit extract and lacks harsh or irritating components.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
- Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 1.9k+ reviewsThis gentle, non-granular cream exfoliator is widely praised by users with sensitive and mature skin for its ability to brighten and smooth the complexion without irritation. Reviewers consistently report that the fruit enzyme formula leaves skin feeling hydrated, baby-soft, and glowing, though some users seeking a harsh scrub find it too mild. This summary is based on a very large amount of data and should definitely be taken into account.
Highlights
Gentle on sensitive skin Mostly Mentioned
- “no stinging or redness”
- “doesn't irritate at all”
- “perfect for delicate skin”
Softens and smooths texture Mostly Mentioned
- “skin feels baby soft”
- “smooths rough patches”
- “makeup glides on”
- “texture is refined”
Pleasant tropical scent Often Mentioned
- “smells like a holiday”
- “lovely fruity fragrance”
- “delicious papaya scent”
- “spa-like aroma”
Hydrating and non-drying Sometimes Noted
- “no tight feeling”
- “leaves face moisturized”
- “creamy and nourishing”
- “doesn't strip skin”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “expensive for the size”
- “pricey for a mask”
- “tube is small”
- “luxury splurge item”
Too mild/Ineffective Sometimes Noted
- “didn't see a difference”
- “wanted deeper exfoliation”
- “too gentle for me”
- “results were subtle”
Caused breakouts Rarely Noted
- “clogged my pores”
- “caused small bumps”
- “broke me out”
- “skin reacted badly”
Packaging issues Rarely Noted
- “tube feels half empty”
- “hard to squeeze out”
- “air in the tube”
- “product settles significantly”
Sources: lovi.care, lookfantastic.com, dermstore.com, elemis.com, sephora.co.uk, boots.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel a great fit for oily skin?
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel is a great fit because papain and pineapple fruit extract gently smooth your skin texture and address oily shine. Niacinamide further helps with oil control, while red algae extract provides mild hydration for a balanced feel.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
Papaya enzyme and pineapple extract gently smooth your skin texture and address oily shine, while niacinamide supports oil control and skin barrier function. Together, these ingredients make this treatment a great fit by balancing exfoliation with care for oily skin.
What does Papaya Enzyme do for oily skin?
Papaya enzyme helps keep oily skin clear and smooth by gently sweeping away dead skin cells that can clog pores. Because it breaks down surface buildup, this ingredient is unlikely to cause heavy greasy feelings and may help prevent breakouts.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2001Phytotherapy Research, 2021
What does Pineapple Extract do for oily skin?
Pineapple extract helps oily skin by clearing away dead skin cells to keep pores clean and smooth. It may also help calm redness and excess shine using its natural plant enzymes.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine, after cleansing and before moisturizing. Start using it once a week, and if your skin handles it well, you may carefully use it more often.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
This exfoliant treatment is generally safe to use alongside a retinol routine, but you should apply them on different nights to prevent irritation on oily skin. Using exfoliating enzymes and retinol together too often may lead to redness, so alternating your nights helps keep your skin balanced.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week, and if your skin handles it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. This gentle approach helps prevent irritation while smoothing your skin texture and addressing oily shine.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on oily skin because it relies on gentle fruit enzymes to smooth texture and control shine without harsh ingredients. While any active treatment can occasionally cause minor breakouts for some skin types, this formula includes soothing components to keep your skin calm and balanced.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, citronellol, geraniol, limonene, and citral). Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical 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, 2017Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Topical application of 1% Fucus vesiculosus extract gel twice daily for five weeks significantly decreased skin thickness and improved elasticity in human cheek skin compared with controls.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2002
Ingredients
Water, Propylene Glycol, Octyldodecanol, Glyceryl Stearate Se, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, C12-16 Alcohols, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Parfum, Papain, Chlorphenesin, Lactis Proteinum Milk Protein, Pineapple Fruit Extract, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium Edta, Porphyridium Cruentum Extract Red Algae Extract, Cinnamyl Alcohol, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract Piper Nigrum Fruit Extract, Tocopherol, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Citral, Mentha Arvensis Oil Leaf Mint Oil Leaf, Cuminum Cyminum Seed Oil Cumin Seed Oil
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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