Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel for acne-prone skin
Papaya Enzyme
Pineapple Extract
Niacinamide
Lactis Proteinum Milk Protein
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even 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 acne, blemishes, and breakouts due to the presence of papain and pineapple fruit extract, which provide enzymatic exfoliation and niacinamide for seboregulation, making it highly suitable for your combination skin.
- The combination of papain and pineapple fruit extract effectively smooths texture and addresses concerns like acne and breakouts.
- The formula is safe for your combination skin, as it lacks prohibited or harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
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
★4.6Overall 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 acne-prone skin?
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel is a great fit because it uses papaya and pineapple enzymes to gently clear dead skin and smooth out breakouts. Niacinamide helps balance oil, while the gentle formula keeps your skin calm and is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Papaya enzyme and pineapple extract provide gentle enzymatic exfoliation that smooths texture and helps clear breakouts on acne-prone skin, while niacinamide helps balance oil. Because it lacks harsh ingredients, the formula is safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
What does Papaya Enzyme do for acne-prone skin?
Papaya enzyme gently removes dead surface buildup to help clear pores and smooth out rough texture. It helps keep skin calm and is unlikely to cause irritation when used as directed.
What does Pineapple Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Pineapple extract helps calm acne-prone skin by soothing redness and supporting a clearer, smoother look. It is unlikely to irritate sensitive areas when used as part of a gentle daily routine.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2025International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2005
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine once a week. You can safely use it because it lacks harsh ingredients that tend to cause irritation.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol, but it is best to alternate them on different nights to prevent drying out or irritating your skin. Since both treatments help clear breakouts and smooth texture, using them on separate days gives your skin a safer and more comfortable routine.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often. This gentle approach helps smooth texture and keeps breakouts under control while keeping your skin calm.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as it relies on gentle enzymes and niacinamide to clear dead skin and balance oil without harsh ingredients. While a few shoppers report mild breakouts, the formula has a safe profile that helps smooth texture and address blemishes gently.
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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