Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel for dry sensitive skin
Papaya Enzyme
Pineapple Extract
Niacinamide
Lactis Proteinum Milk Protein
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
High
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for dry sensitive skin; a few products fit it even 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 or flaky skin due to the presence of papain and pineapple fruit extract, which provide enzymatic exfoliation to smooth texture.
- Glycerin offers humectant action suitable for dry skin, though additional emollient and occlusive ingredients would further enhance moisture retention.
- The formula is safe for your dry, sensitive skin as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients, minimizing irritation risks.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with dryness. Start ⏳3 times a week only if your sensitive skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but always before your favorite moisturizer .
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and avoid any rubbing. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before layering.
- Since your skin is reactive and sensitive, apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for better tolerance.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .
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 dry sensitive skin?
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel is a great fit because it offers gentle fruit enzymes to smooth dry, flaky skin without harsh ingredients that cause irritation. Glycerin is also included to bring moisture to the skin.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Papaya enzyme and pineapple extract provide gentle exfoliation to smooth flaky dry skin, while glycerin helps boost hydration. The formula is safe for your sensitive skin because it lacks harsh ingredients, minimizing the risk of irritation.
What does Papaya Enzyme do for dry sensitive skin?
Papaya enzyme gently removes dead skin cells to help make dry sensitive skin feel smooth and soft. Proteolytic enzymes like this one assist with normal skin shedding, but because dry sensitive skin needs very gentle care, a product of this type requires soothing moisturizers and barrier-repairing ingredients to prevent irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024
What does Pineapple Extract do for dry sensitive skin?
Pineapple extract helps improve skin moisture and strengthens the skin barrier to keep it soft and comfortable. Clinical studies show it significantly increases hydration while reducing water loss in the skin.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine once a week, after cleansing and before moisturizing. Lovi routines start exfoliating steps once a week, and you can carefully use them more often if your skin tolerates them well.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You should use this exfoliant on a different night than your retinol to help prevent redness and irritation on dry, sensitive skin. Using them separately allows the papaya enzyme and pineapple extract to smooth your texture without overwhelming your skin barrier.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results, you may carefully use it more often. The formula is safe for your dry, sensitive skin as it lacks harsh ingredients, minimizing irritation risks while smoothing flaky texture.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and most shoppers do not report this issue. The formula's gentle fruit enzymes smooth flaky areas without scrubbing, though its low risk of clogged pores means any rare reaction is usually mild.
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
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical 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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