Papa Recipe Tea Tree Control Enzyme Powder Cleanser for sensitive skin

Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract
Juglans Regia Shell Powder
Papain
Allantoin
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
Average
- AverageNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for sensitive skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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 suitability for your normal skin, as papain and gluconolactone provide mild exfoliation, while Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract and Allantoin offer supportive soothing benefits for redness and irritation.
- The formula's cleansing action is excellent due to enzymatic and chemical exfoliation, but it lacks sufficient emollient and humectant ingredients for optimal hydration.
- The product is safe for your normal skin with sensitivity, as it contains no prohibited or harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and increase usage only if your skin feels comfortable.
- Apply this enzyme powder cleanser after your regular cleanser, and before your hydrating toner and moisturizer.
- Pour a small amount into wet hands, lather into a foam, and gently massage onto your face without harsh rubbing.
- For sensitive skin, apply this product on slightly damp skin to ensure better tolerance and comfort.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your very first use to prevent irritation.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis gentle enzyme powder cleanser is widely praised by users with oily and acne-prone skin for its ability to exfoliate without stripping moisture, leaving the face feeling soft and smooth. While many enjoy the refreshing cooling sensation and calming effects on blemishes, some find the medicinal scent and packaging design less than ideal.
Highlights
Cooling sensation Often Mentioned
- “cooling effect is fantastic”
- “refreshing finish”
- “feels great on the skin”
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “removes dead skin cells”
- “skin felt incredibly soft”
- “mildly exfoliates and soothes”
Non-stripping hydration Often Mentioned
- “moisturized without dryness”
- “leaves skin feeling silky”
- “doesn't dry skin too much”
Acne & oil control Sometimes Noted
- “blemishes noticeably improve”
- “great for acne prone skin”
- “helps balance oil”
Medicinal scent Sometimes Noted
- “fragrance turned out to be artificial”
- “unique scent... need to be careful”
- “smell is a bit strong”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “hole for this cleanser is too big”
- “pours just a bit too much”
- “feels I am wasting”
Expensive for quantity Rarely Noted
- “it's a bit pricey”
- “expensive... offer more promotions”
- “prefer the original version”
Occasional irritation Rarely Noted
- “tingling on blemishes”
- “irritates my eyes”
- “warming sensation can be intense”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, reddit.com, hwahae.co.kr, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Papa Recipe Tea Tree Control Enzyme Powder Cleanser work for sensitive skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for sensitive skin, providing mild exfoliation and soothing benefits, though other products fit it better. A cleanser of this type needs extra hydrating ingredients and gentle soothing agents to keep sensitive skin calm and comfortable.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract, Allantoin, papain, and gluconolactone make this cleanser a good fit because they help calm redness and gently smooth sensitive skin. To suit sensitive skin even better, an enzyme powder cleanser of this type needs extra soothing plant extracts and moisturizing ingredients to keep the skin soft and comfortable.
What does Tea Tree Leaf Extract do for sensitive skin?
Tea Tree Leaf Extract helps calm red, angry skin and eases swelling because it targets the body's reaction to irritation. When you have sensitive skin, it is unlikely to cause trouble if used carefully, but pure versions may sometimes feel too strong.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Inflammation Research, 2005
What does Walnut Shell Powder do for sensitive skin?
Walnut shell powder is too harsh and abrasive for sensitive skin because it can cause tiny tears and redness. Sensitive skin needs very gentle, smooth cleansers or soothing ingredients like ceramides and niacinamide to keep the skin barrier calm and comfortable.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This enzyme powder cleanser goes into an evening routine once a week, as routines start exfoliating steps cautiously with weekly use. It is safe for sensitive skin, but since it lacks sufficient hydrating ingredients, sensitive skin needs a cleanser that also provides rich moisturizers and soothing agents.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this enzyme powder cleanser with retinol, but to prevent irritation on sensitive skin, use them on alternating nights rather than together. This cleanser provides mild exfoliation with papain and gluconolactone, while Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract and Allantoin help calm redness. However, sensitive skin needs a cleanser of this type to also include extra soothing ingredients and rich hydrating agents to maintain comfort.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
How often should I use this cleanser?
This enzyme powder cleanser works for your sensitive skin just once a week to start. If your skin handles it well and stays calm, you may carefully use it a little more often. This type of skin needs soothing ingredients and gentle exfoliators paired with plenty of hydrating and softening ingredients to keep it comfortable.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for sensitive skin because it contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients that trigger irritation. However, an enzyme powder cleanser for this skin type needs extra hydrating ingredients like glycerin and soothing plant extracts to keep skin calm and smooth.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of 100% tea tree oil significantly reduced histamine-induced mean weal volume compared to control in twenty-seven volunteers.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Tea tree oil nanoemulsion containing adapalene gel demonstrated significantly greater reductions in total, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory acne lesions as well as acne severity index compared to adapalene marketed gel in 100 patients with acne vulgaris over 12 weeks.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2022Topical 5% tea tree oil gel significantly improved total acne lesions and acne severity index compared to placebo in 60 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris, showing 3.55 times and 5.75 times greater efficacy respectively.
Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, 2007Melaleuca alternifolia essential oil and its nanoemulsion improved skin morphology, papillary depth, dermis echogenicity, and collagen fibers in 40 male participants compared to a vehicle formulation over 90 days, with the nanoemulsion achieving deeper skin layer penetration.
Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2023Topical 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, 2020Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Sodium cocoyl isethionate micelles are too large to penetrate stratum corneum aqueous pores, resulting in significant steric hindrance that prevents skin barrier perturbation and explains its skin mildness.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007
Ingredients
Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Diglycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Allantoin, Menthol, Maltodextrin, Papain, Ci 77288, Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone, Glucose, 2-Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Strawberry Leaf Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum Extract Mushroom Extract, Lentinus Edodes Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Sparassis Crispa Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Tremella Fuciformis Extract Mushroom Extract, Tabebuia Impetiginosa Bark Extract, Onion Bulb Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin
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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