Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel for mature skin
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract
Grapefruit Fruit Extract
Glycerin
Phenoxyethanol
Triethanolamine
Average
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for mature skin; other cleansers fit it better.
- International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. 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 cleansing for your normal skin, as Carica Papaya Fruit Extract and Grapefruit Fruit Extract provide mild enzymatic exfoliation and antioxidant benefits, smoothing texture.
- While Glycerin offers general cleansing, the formula lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your wrinkles and fine lines.
- The product is safe for your normal skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing agents like Glycerin and Carica Papaya Fruit Extract.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser as part of both your AM and PM routine. Start using it daily since your skin is normal and not sensitive.
- Apply this first in your routine before using your toner, moisturizer, and SPF.
- Gently massage the cleanser onto your face using circular motions, then rinse well with water. Avoid rubbing your skin too hard.
- Apply the cleanser directly onto slightly damp skin for the best fresh feeling. Make sure your face is clean of heavy makeup first.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area while washing. Do a quick patch test before your very first use to be safe.
People Say
★4.4Overall rating based on 2.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this non-foaming gel cleanser is highly recommended for combination and oily skin types, effectively removing excess oil and impurities while maintaining skin hydration. Users frequently report a brighter, refreshed complexion and improved skin texture. However, it may not fully remove heavy makeup and some users dislike the lack of lather or are concerned about parabens.
Highlights
Gentle and non-drying Mostly Mentioned
- “does not strip skin”
- “leaves face soft”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “no tight feeling”
Brightening and refreshing Often Mentioned
- “leaves skin bright”
- “complexion looks refreshed”
- “gives a nice glow”
- “revives dull skin”
Effective oil control Often Mentioned
- “removes excess oil”
- “great for oily skin”
- “balances my combination skin”
- “keeps shine away”
Poor makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “doesn't remove mascara”
- “need a separate remover”
- “leaves residue”
- “not for heavy makeup”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels smoother”
- “helps with blackheads”
- “reduces bumps”
- “exfoliates gently”
Pleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like a spa”
- “fresh clean scent”
- “love the smell”
- “light and pleasant”
Non-foaming texture Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't foam at all”
- “weird gel texture”
- “miss the bubbles”
- “feels like slime”
Contains parabens Rarely Noted
- “contains methylparaben”
- “wish it was paraben-free”
- “ingredients aren't clean”
- “avoiding preservatives”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “burns my eyes”
- “stings if it gets in eyes”
- “avoid eye area”
- “painful on eyes”
Price vs. value Rarely Noted
- “a bit pricey”
- “better cheaper options”
- “paying for the brand”
- “not worth the money”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, mariobadescu.com, sephora.com, spacenk.com, beautybay.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel work for mature skin?
This cleanser works moderately well for mature skin, providing mild exfoliation with papaya and grapefruit extracts to help smooth texture. However, it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target wrinkles and fine lines. A cleanser for mature skin needs high-quality hydrating ingredients, soothing agents, and components that address wrinkles and fine lines without irritation.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for mature skin?
Carica Papaya Fruit Extract and Grapefruit Fruit Extract make this cleanser a fit by providing mild enzymatic exfoliation and antioxidants that help smooth texture. Glycerin also supports skin by offering general cleansing while remaining safe and soothing. However, this skin type needs a product with specialized ingredients that effectively target wrinkles and fine lines.
What does Papaya Fruit Extract do for mature skin?
What does Grapefruit Fruit Extract do for mature skin?
Grapefruit fruit extract helps protect mature skin from sun damage and keeps it looking youthful by reducing redness and soothing UV-induced stress. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used as part of your daily routine.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for mature skin?
This cleanser goes in your morning routine as the first step, and as the second step in your evening routine after a makeup remover. Mature skin needs a cleanser that also includes ingredients to target wrinkles and fine lines, while keeping the skin soft.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine with retinol, applying it before your retinol treatment. Cleansers of this type for mature skin need nourishing ingredients and wrinkle-smoothing support to help keep skin soft and firm.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser daily as part of your morning and evening routine, while starting any exfoliating steps just once a week. Using a mild cleanser helps maintain a good safety profile for your mature skin.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?
This cleanser is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for mature skin, as it has a safe formula without harsh ingredients and includes soothing glycerin. However, because it lacks specialized ingredients to target wrinkles, mature skin needs extra anti-aging ingredients like peptides, retinoids, or antioxidants to properly smooth fine lines.
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this cleanser on your body, but you should avoid the thin skin around your eyes to prevent irritation. Mature skin needs gentle cleansers that also provide rich moisture and firming ingredients like hyaluronic acid or plant extracts to care for delicate areas.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no drying alcohol and contains fragrance (parfum, linalool, hexyl cinnamal, benzyl alcohol, limonene, citronellol, and geraniol).
What the research says
Incorporating 1, 2, and 5 percent papain into starch- and carboxymethyl cellulose-based films preserved proteolytic and skin exfoliation activity while improving mechanical properties and water solubility compared to control films, with immobilized enzyme maintaining stability for up to 90 days.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023A 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, 2020Topical application of an aqueous gel containing 0.1% w/w naringenin demonstrated in vitro safety, significantly reduced UV-induced stratum corneum lipid peroxidation, and showed in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy against methyl nicotinate-induced inflammation in human participants compared to a blank gel and untreated area, while chlorogenic acid, apigenin, and kaempferol displayed pro-oxidant profiles.
Frontiers in Chemistry, 2024Topical application of a naringenin-containing formulation protected hairless mice from ultraviolet B-induced skin damage by inhibiting edema, cytokine production, superoxide anion, and lipid hydroperoxides while maintaining antioxidant enzymes and glutathione levels.
PloS One, 2016Naringenin prevented UV-B radiation-induced mitochondrial fragmentation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in human dermal fibroblasts and Balb/c mice.
Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology. B, Biology, 2024The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001Niacinamide/glycerin body moisturizers provided better rapid and prolonged improvement of cosmetic xerosis through functional improvement of stratum corneum barrier function compared to no treatment and conventional moisturizers in female subjects.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2012Topical 2% tea lotion significantly decreased inflammatory lesions and was superior to 5% zinc sulphate solution in patients with acne vulgaris.
Saudi Medical Journal, 2008Topical 2% tea lotion significantly reduced the mean lesion count of papules and pustules in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to a control solution over 2 months.
Saudi Medical Journal, 2006
Why other cleansers fit mature skin better
Topical 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, 2021Treatment with a combination of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid improved skin aging signs and demonstrated a senomorphic effect by decreasing SASP and autocrine signaling genes in women.
Scientific Reports, 2024
Ingredients
Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Peg-8 Stearate, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Grapefruit Fruit Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Chloride, Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine, Diazolidinyl Urea, Mica, Ci 77891 Titanium Dioxide, Ci 19140 Yellow 5, Ci 42090 Blue 1, Ci 15985, Linalool, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Citronellol, Geraniol
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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.