🇬🇧United Kingdom

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel for mature skin

Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel

High

  • HighNormal Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for mature skin; a few products fit it even better.

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 excellent exfoliation for your wrinkles and fine lines, as papain and pineapple fruit extract promote skin renewal and address texture concerns on your normal skin.
  • Niacinamide and red algae extract provide additional benefits by improving skin tone and hydration, supporting overall skin health.
  • The formulation is safe for your normal 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 once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your skin.
  • Apply this exfoliant product after cleansing and toner, but before your moisturizer. This ensures the best absorption into your skin.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant product into your face, avoiding any rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
  • Apply this exfoliant product on completely dry skin to get the best results. This helps your normal skin accept the product smoothly.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area while using this exfoliant product. Do a patch test before your first use and avoid mixing it with strong acids.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 1.9k+ reviews

This 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 mature skin?

This exfoliant is a great fit because papaya and pineapple extracts smooth out wrinkles and fine lines by encouraging skin renewal. Niacinamide and red algae extract also help improve your skin tone and moisture levels while supporting overall skin health.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for mature skin?

Papaya enzyme and pineapple extract make this a great fit because they promote skin renewal and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide and red algae extract help improve your skin tone and keep it hydrated.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

What does Papaya Enzyme do for mature skin?

Papaya enzyme gently removes dead skin flakes to help keep your skin feeling soft and smooth. This process helps clear away old layers so your face looks fresh, though it is best used carefully since it may occasionally cause irritation on dry or sensitive areas.

International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2024

What does Pineapple Extract do for mature skin?

Pineapple Extract helps mature skin by boosting hydration and keeping moisture locked in so your skin feels soft and smooth. It is unlikely to cause irritation and supports a healthy skin barrier.

Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica, 2016

Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for mature skin?

This exfoliant treatment goes into your weekly routine after cleansing and before a nourishing mask and moisturizer. You can start using it once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often.

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

It is best to use this exfoliant on a separate night from your retinol to help prevent dry or irritated skin. Using strong exfoliating enzymes and retinoids together can easily overwhelm mature skin, so alternate them or use the exfoliant just once a week.

How often should I use this exfoliant?

Start using this exfoliant treatment once a week as part of your weekly routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. It helps renew your mature skin and smooth out fine lines safely.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?

This exfoliant is a great fit because its fruit enzymes gently renew your skin and smooth out fine lines without harshness. It is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores, and any risk of irritation is very low.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Scientific Reports, 2024

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

  • Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
  • 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, 2021
  • Treatment 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
  • Topical treatment of nicotinamide, alone or in combination with other active ingredients, reduces the progression of skin aging and hyperpigmentation in clinical trials while being well tolerated.

    Antioxidants, 2021
  • Oral 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, 2023
  • Topical papain treatment may slightly decrease pain within 30 minutes in humans stung by Chrysaora chinensis compared to placebo.

    Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 2016
  • 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
  • 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
  • An 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, 2026
  • A 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, 2017
  • Exposure to a Kiperin Bromelain & Papain complex at 2.5 µg/mL increased cell viability, altered wound closure, decreased inflammation-related gene expression, and increased skin barrier/keratinization gene expression in CCD-18Co colon fibroblasts, HME-1 mammary epithelial cells, and HaCaT keratinocytes.

    Scientific Reports, 2026
  • Topical 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, 2008
  • Topical 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, 2005
  • Topical 2% niacinamide significantly decreased sebum excretion rate in Japanese individuals and casual sebum levels in Caucasian individuals compared to placebo or baseline.

    Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006
  • Topical 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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Prices checked 16 Oct – 5 Nov 2026

The Lovi Fit is the same in every country; only the stores and prices differ, and the ones here are for the United Kingdom.

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