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Papa Recipe Blemish Enzyme Powder Cleanser for oily acne-prone skin

Papa Recipe Blemish Enzyme Powder Cleanser

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 excellent cleansing and moderate exfoliation for your oily, acne-prone skin, as sodium cocoyl isethionate and papain work to clear pores and gently slough away dead skin cells, while papain and rice powder absorb excess oil.
  • Gluconolactone and rice extract further regulate desquamation and enhance oil control, making it highly suitable for your oily skin.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, containing soothing ingredients like allantoin and glycerin with no harsh or prohibited components.

How to apply

  • Use your enzyme powder cleanser PM once a week to start, then increase frequency if your skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF during the day since exfoliating products can make skin sensitive to the sun.
  • Apply this enzyme powder cleanser in your weekly routine after the standard cleanser and before your hydrating toner and moisturizer. This step helps clear away dead skin cells.
  • Mix the powder with a little water in your hands to create a gentle foam , then massage it softly onto your face while avoiding harsh rubbing.
  • Apply the enzyme powder cleanser on slightly damp skin to help activate the formula effectively. Make sure your face is clean from makeup before starting.
  • Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this with strong acids or retinoids in the same routine to prevent irritation.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 900+ reviews

This powder cleanser is highly praised by users with oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin for its ability to gently exfoliate without stripping moisture. Most users report significantly smoother skin texture and reduced breakouts, though the unique fermented scent is a polarizing feature.

Highlights

  • Gentle exfoliation Mostly Mentioned
    • “Smooths out skin without harsh scrubbing”
    • “Dissolves dead skin cells instantly”
    • “My face feels baby soft after one use.”
  • Improves texture/acne Often Mentioned
    • “Helps with my closed comedones”
    • “Reduces sebaceous filaments on nose”
    • “Makeup applies much smoother now.”
  • Non-stripping Often Mentioned
    • “Doesn't leave my face feeling tight”
    • “Skin feels moist and fresh after rinsing”
    • “Cleanses well but keeps barrier intact.”
  • Polarizing scent Often Mentioned
    • “Smells like stale powdered milk”
    • “Has a weird yeasty/vomit smell”
    • “Scent is nutty like cereal but takes getting used to.”
  • Good for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “Gentle enough for daily use”
    • “Low pH formula calms my redness.”
  • Travel-friendly Sometimes Noted
    • “Perfect for flying since it's not liquid”
    • “No fear of leaking in my bag”
    • “Lightweight and easy to pack.”
  • Packaging durability Sometimes Noted
    • “The flip cap snapped off after a week”
    • “Lid cracked when I dropped it”
    • “Hard to control the amount of powder dispensed.”
  • Can be drying Rarely Noted
    • “Too drying for twice-daily use”
    • “Left dry patches when I used it every morning”
    • “Better as a 2-3 times a week treatment.”
  • Price per quantity Rarely Noted
    • “Bottle is smaller than expected”
    • “Expensive compared to other enzyme powders”
    • “Runs out quickly if used daily.”

Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, gopicky.com, reddit.com, skinsort.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Papa Recipe Blemish Enzyme Powder Cleanser a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This cleanser is a great fit because it clears pores, removes dead skin cells, and absorbs excess oil using papain and rice powder. Ingredients like gluconolactone and rice extract also help control oil and regulate skin shedding safely without harsh components.

Skin Research and Technology, 2023Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015

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

Sodium cocoyl isethionate and papain clear pores and gently slough away dead skin cells, while papain and rice powder help absorb excess oil on oily acne-prone skin. Gluconolactone and rice extract further regulate skin shedding and enhance oil control, and soothing ingredients like allantoin and glycerin keep the formula safe and gentle.

Skin Research and Technology, 2023Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015

What does Corn Starch do for oily acne-prone skin?

Corn starch helps manage oily, acne-prone skin by absorbing excess oil and minimizing friction without clogging pores or fueling irritation. This type of product needs to stay lightweight and non-greasy, using oil-absorbing minerals or starches to keep skin soft and matte.

What does Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate do for oily acne-prone skin?

Sodium cocoyl isethionate helps cleanse oily acne-prone skin gently without stripping the skin barrier because its large molecular structure prevents it from penetrating deep into the skin. This mild surfactant washes away dirt and excess oil while keeping the skin calm and comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2007Dermatologic Therapy, 2004

Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This enzyme powder cleanser goes in your weekly routine, used once a week as an exfoliating step. Routines typically start exfoliating steps once a week, and people who tolerate them well and see good results can carefully use them more often.

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

You can use this enzyme powder cleanser alongside retinol by adding it to your weekly routine rather than the same day you apply retinol, helping to keep your skin smooth without irritation. Using them on separate days is less likely to dry out or sensitize oily acne-prone skin.

How often should I use this cleanser?

Start using this enzyme powder cleanser once a week as part of your weekly routine. If your oily acne-prone skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often.

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

Papa Recipe Blemish Enzyme Powder Cleanser is a great fit because it clears pores and removes excess oil without harsh ingredients. It helps keep your skin calm and is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts.

Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2015The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992

Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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
  • Combining 10% gluconolactone chemical peeling with oxybrasion or microneedle mesotherapy increased skin hydration and decreased sebum, pH, and TEWL in twenty-one Caucasian women, with no significant differences between the two methods.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2023
  • Gluconolactone 14% solution significantly improved mild to moderate acne by reducing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions similarly to 5% benzoyl peroxide, but with fewer side-effects in 150 patients.

    The Australasian Journal of Dermatology, 1992
  • 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, 2017
  • Hydrolyzed corn starch containing maltotetraose activated the NRF2 pathway, upregulated antioxidant-responsive genes, increased NRF2 protein expression and nuclear translocation, and reduced reactive oxygen species levels in human keratinocytes exposed to oxidative stress.

    PloS One, 2026
  • Sodium 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
  • Enzyme-modified ginseng extract cream significantly reduced the global photo-damage score and various roughness measures including total roughness, smoothness depth, and arithmetic roughness average compared to placebo in 23 human subjects.

    Rejuvenation Research, 2015
  • A red ginseng hydrogel formulation with 1,2-hexanediol promoted selective growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis and decreased Cutibacterium acnes in 20 female subjects.

    Journal of Ginseng Research, 2022
  • A 1% fermented black ginseng cream significantly reduced eye wrinkles and brightened skin color in twenty-three human subjects compared to control cream and baseline.

    Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part A, 2020
  • Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.

    Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016
  • 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
  • Carica papaya leaf extracts obtained via supercritical fluid and conventional methods demonstrated antioxidant and cytoprotective effects on skin fibroblasts against oxidative stress, driven by their respective lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents.

    Molecules, 2021

Ingredients

Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Sodium Palmitate, Diglycerin, Juglans Regia Shell Powder, Rice Powder, Citric Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract Rosemary Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Angelica Keiskei Stem Extract Leaf, Rice Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Arbutin, Rice Ferment Filtrate Sake Ferment Filtrate, Gluconolactone, Gossypium Herbaceum Extract, Lactobionic Acid, Allantoin, Maltodextrin, Papain, Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, 1,2-Hexanediol

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.

How does it fit your skin?

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