Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel for combination skin
Papaya Enzyme
Pineapple Extract
Niacinamide
Lactis Proteinum Milk Protein
Fucus Vesiculosus Extract
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best products for combination skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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
- Highly suitable for your combination skin, niacinamide helps regulate oil production while papain and pineapple fruit extract provide enzymatic exfoliation to smooth texture and address oily shine.
- The absence of harsh ingredients ensures a gentle experience, making it safe for your skin.
- This formula is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant product in your PM routine starting once a week, then increase frequency carefully if your skin feels fine.
- Apply this exfoliant step after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and wait a minute before layering.
- Apply the exfoliant to clean, dry skin to help control your oily shine comfortably.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
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 combination skin?
Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel is a great fit for your combination skin because niacinamide helps balance oil while papaya and pineapple enzymes gently smooth texture and reduce oily shine. The absence of harsh ingredients ensures a gentle experience that is unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for combination skin?
Niacinamide, papain, and pineapple fruit extract make this exfoliant a great fit for your combination skin because they help regulate oil and smooth texture without irritation. Niacinamide controls oily shine while the fruit enzymes gently lift away dead skin cells.
What does Papaya Enzyme do for combination skin?
Papaya enzyme gently exfoliates dead skin and helps smooth rough patches while keeping the face soft. It breaks down surface proteins to clear away buildup without harsh scrubbing, making it a good fit for balancing combination skin.
What does Pineapple Extract do for combination skin?
Pineapple extract helps gently clear away dead skin and smooth out rough patches on combination skin. Because it contains active enzymes, it may occasionally cause mild irritation on dry areas if used too often.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes into your weekly routine after cleansing and before toning and moisturizing, starting at once a week. You can use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
Using this exfoliant with retinol may increase the likelihood of dryness or irritation, so it is best to use them on separate nights or alternate days rather than applying them together. When using both in your routine, start slowly to see how your skin feels and ensure you keep your skin hydrated.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
You can start 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. The gentle formula helps smooth texture and address oily shine without irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts for combination skin, as it features a gentle formula without harsh ingredients that helps smooth texture and manage oily shine. Reviewers occasionally report breakouts, but the absence of prohibited or irritating components ensures a safe experience.
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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