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MEDIHEAL Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad for acne-prone skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

MEDIHEAL Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad

Average

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for acne-prone skin; other products fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 combination skin, as betaine salicylate and papain provide mild chemical exfoliation and texture smoothing, which is generally supportive but not directly targeted for your acne and breakouts.
  • The formula is highly suitable for combination skin due to the keratolytic action of betaine salicylate and papain, which help regulate desquamation.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
  • Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 1000+ reviews

Users 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

How well does MEDIHEAL Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad work for acne-prone skin?

This product offers moderate exfoliation that is generally supportive for your skin, though it is not directly targeted for acne and breakouts. It is safe for your skin with no risks of irritation. Acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA that target breakouts and control oiliness while keeping skin balanced.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Skin Research and Technology, 2003

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?

Betaine salicylate and papain make this exfoliant a workable fit for acne-prone skin by providing mild chemical exfoliation and smoothing your skin texture. Because other products fit your acne better, an exfoliant of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to directly target breakouts and control oiliness.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Skin Research and Technology, 2003

What does Betaine Salicylate do for acne-prone skin?

Betaine salicylate helps clear up breakouts and calm red, irritated skin while keeping it hydrated. It is generally gentle and less likely to cause irritation compared to regular salicylic acid.

The Journal of Dermatology, 2012Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026

What does Papain do for acne-prone skin?

Papain helps clear acne-prone skin by gently removing dead cells and targeting blemishes as part of a targeted treatment gel used daily. However, it may cause mild redness or irritation, and since it can disrupt the skin barrier, acne-prone skin also needs soothing, barrier-repairing ingredients to stay calm and protected.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2015

Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine once a week to start, after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Acne-prone skin needs products with targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and deeper pore-clearing actives to work best.

Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this exfoliant in your routine, but alternate the nights you use it with your retinol to keep your skin calm and avoid irritation. This product provides mild texture smoothing with betaine salicylate and papain, but acne-prone skin works best with targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to directly clear breakouts.

Skin Research and Technology, 2003Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015

How often should I use it?

Start by using this exfoliant treatment once a week, and if your skin handles it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. This product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts since it uses gentle smoothing ingredients that are safe for your skin, though other products fit acne-prone skin better by targeting blemishes directly. An effective product for this skin needs direct blemish-fighting ingredients and deep pore-clearing power to keep skin clear.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015Skin Research and Technology, 2003

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

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, 2016

  • 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, 2015

  • Reflux 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, 2020

  • Capryloyl 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, 2008

  • Combining 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, 2023

  • Parity 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, 2012

  • Skin 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, 2021

  • Treatment 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, 2023

  • Topical 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

Why other products fit acne-prone skin better

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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Prices checked 3 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for Canada.

How does it fit your skin?

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