MEDIHEAL Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad for dry sensitive skin
Betaine Salicylate
Papain
Capryloyl Salicylic Acid
Beta-Glucan
Hydroxyacetophenone
Average
- AverageDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry sensitive skin; other products fit it 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 and flaky skin due to the presence of betaine salicylate and capryloyl salicylic acid, which gently remove dead skin cells.
- Glycerin provides some hydration suitable for dry skin, but the formula lacks sufficient emollient ingredients to fully address dryness.
- The product is safe for your dry and sensitive skin as it contains no harsh or irritating ingredients.
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
★4.7Overall rating based on 1000+ reviewsUsers consistently praise these pads for their ability to gently exfoliate and smooth rough skin texture without causing irritation, making them suitable for sensitive skin. While effective for reducing small bumps, blackheads, and dead skin cells to reveal a "glass skin" glow, they may be too mild for deep cystic acne or stubborn whiteheads.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “softens rough patches”
- “removes tiny bumps”
- “leaves face silky”
- “refines uneven skin”
- “glass skin finish”
Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
- “non-irritating daily use”
- “no stinging”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “mild enzyme action”
- “safe for morning routine”
Hydrating finish Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't strip moisture”
- “leaves a glow”
- “non-drying formula”
- “feels like a treatment mask”
- “moisturizing essence”
Pore & blackhead care Sometimes Noted
- “clears sebaceous filaments”
- “reduces blackhead visibility”
- “unclogs pores”
- “minimizes pore appearance”
- “cleaner nose area”
Quality pad design Sometimes Noted
- “large square size”
- “dual-sided texture”
- “holds lots of essence”
- “covers cheeks well”
- “convenient tweezers included”
Unpleasant scent Sometimes Noted
- “earthy smell”
- “medicinal fragrance”
- “strong herbal scent”
- “smells like dirt/plants”
- “bothersome to sensitive noses”
Lack of potency Rarely Noted
- “didn't clear deep acne”
- “too gentle for heavy congestion”
- “no visible difference”
- “slow results”
- “not strong enough for oily skin”
Minor irritation Rarely Noted
- “caused small breakouts”
- “redness on cheeks”
- “slight burning sensation”
- “sensitized barrier”
- “allergic reaction”
Poor adhesion as mask Rarely Noted
- “pads slide off”
- “too thick to stick”
- “doesn't conform to face”
- “falls off while moving”
- “better for wiping than masking”
Sticky residue Rarely Noted
- “feels tacky after use”
- “greasy on oily nose”
- “takes time to absorb”
- “interferes with makeup if not dried”
- “heavy finish”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, skinsort.com, reddit.com, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does the MEDIHEAL Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad work for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant treatment offers moderate exfoliation and hydration for your dry and flaky skin, but it lacks enough softening ingredients to fully address dryness. This skin type needs formulations rich in nourishing and moisturizing components that provide deep hydration, skin barrier support, and protection against irritation.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for dry sensitive skin?
Betaine salicylate and capryloyl salicylic acid help this exfoliant gently lift dead skin cells from dry and flaky skin, while glycerin and beta-glucan provide some hydration. However, an exfoliant of this type needs richer moisturizing and smoothing ingredients to fully address dryness and protect sensitive skin.
What does Betaine Salicylate do for dry sensitive skin?
Betaine Salicylate is often too harsh for dry sensitive skin because it exfoliates deeply and may cause extra dryness or irritation. A product for this skin type needs gentle, hydrating ingredients that calm redness and keep the skin soft without stripping its natural moisture.
What does Papain do for dry sensitive 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. Because this type of product lacks enough softening and smoothing ingredients to fully address dryness, your routine for this skin needs richer moisturizing ingredients and soothing creams to lock in moisture.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol, but it is best to use them on different nights to help prevent irritation on dry and sensitive skin. When using both, apply your retinol first, wait for it to absorb, and follow with a hydrating moisturizer.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Use this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine to help remove dead skin cells while keeping your skin safe. If your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you may carefully use it more often. Because this product lacks sufficient ingredients to soften and fully address dryness, dry skin needs rich, nourishing hydrators and soothing creams alongside it.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for dry sensitive skin because it contains no harsh ingredients. However, it may cause mild purging as it gently removes dead skin cells.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
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, 2017Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.
Skin Research and Technology, 2003A combination of Aloe barbadensis leaf extract and trimethylglycine in a 1:1 mass ratio synergistically increased aquaporin 3 expression by up to 380% in keratinocytes and safely improved skin hydration in healthy volunteers.
Molecules, 2024Topical 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, 2020Capryloyl salicylic acid peel reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation comparably to glycolic acid peel in 44 female volunteers, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008Combining a salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid facial serum and mask improved closed comedones and acne severity significantly more than serum alone in adults with acne over 8 weeks, with no adverse reactions reported.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023Parity was demonstrated between an OTC BPO 5.5% formulation with lipohydroxy acid and tretinoin cream 0.025% versus prescription clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% gel and tretinoin cream 0.025% in participants with mild to moderate acne vulgaris at 12 weeks.
Cutis, 2012Skin care regimens containing beta-glucan improved hemoglobin index, skin hydration, and transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in 20 patients undergoing fractional laser therapy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Treatment with topical formulations containing beta-glucan combined with nanofractional radiofrequency plus magnetic nanofractional radiofrequency showed the best efficacy and was tolerable and effective in Chinese women with abdominal stretch marks compared to control groups.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2023Topical beta-glucan mildly improved striae gravidarum, 1565-nm non-ablative fractional laser showed better results than topical beta-glucan, and the combined strategy further improved striae gravidarum atrophy compared to single treatment.
The Journal of Dermatology, 2022
Why other products fit dry sensitive skin better
Tocopherol succinate-loaded ethosomal gel increased skin deposition, stability, moisture, and mechanical properties in 13 human subjects compared to a control gel over 12 weeks.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022In 50 participants with sensitive skin, a Ceramide NP C15-containing emollient improved skin barrier function with a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss and induced modest changes in skin microbiota compared to the vehicle.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2026Hydrogels containing vitamin E-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers exhibited better occlusive properties and long-lasting effects, while vitamin E-loaded nanoemulsions performed a faster skin hydration effect and were selected as more attractive for skin application.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 2019
Ingredients
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Betaine, Hydroxyacetophenone, Tromethamine, Octyldodeceth-16, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Disodium Edta, Papain, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Artemisia Vulgaris Oil, Beta-Glucan, Mentha Arvensis Oil Leaf
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
How does it fit your skin?
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