What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Zea Mays Starch
Absorbent
Potassium Myristate
EmulsifyingSodium Cocoyl Glycinate
Cleansing
Mannitol
Humectant
Papain
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Bromelain
Skin Conditioning
Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningLactobacillus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate
Humectant
Lactococcus Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Filtrate
Skin Conditioning
Bifida Ferment Lysate
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Protease
Exfoliating
Zea Mays Starch, Potassium Myristate, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Mannitol, Papain, Allantoin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Bromelain, Phaseolus Radiatus Seed Powder, Gluconolactone, Water, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Saccharomyces Ferment Filtrate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Bifida Ferment Filtrate, Bifida Ferment Lysate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Oryza Sativa Extract, Protease
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Papain is a proteolytic enzyme extracted from unripe papaya fruit. It is a gentle exfoliator that helps remove the dead skin cells from your outermost layer of skin.
Basically, papain works by dissolving the "glue" holding dead skin cells to your skin's surface. This also promotes cell turnover and smooths texture.
Unlike other exfoliants, papain can work without causing significant irritation.
Beyond exfoliation, its proteolytic action also helps soothe irritated skin and supports the healing of minor wounds.
A 2024 in vivo/in vitro study confirmed its potential to suppress skin inflammation and improve transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in atopic dermatitis models.
Just one thing worth noting: there are reports of allergic responses in individuals with a papaya or latex sensitivity. Be sure to patch test if you're in this camp.
Learn more about PapainProtease is an enzyme that works as a gentle exfoliant by mimicking something your skin already does naturally.
Your skin uses proteolytic enzymes to carry out desquamation; this is the process of shedding dead skin cells from the stratum corneum.
In skincare, proteases act as biological catalysts that mimic this natural desquamation process. You can think of it as giving your skin's own renewal system a nudge.
By breaking down the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, proteases help accelerate cell turnover to:
One reason they're becoming a popular AHA alternative is because proteases are considered effective while also being well-tolerated on skin. Because they work at a protein level rather than by lowering the skin pH, they can be a good option for those sensitive to AHAs.
Available in vitro and in vivo studies show positive exfoliant results but clinical (human) trials specifically on enzymatic exfoliation are still limited at this time.
Just one thing worth noting: temperature, pH, and stabilization are important factors that affect enzyme activity. The formulation quality definitely matters with this ingredient.
This ingredient can be either microbial sourced or plant-derived (papain from papaya, bromelain from pineapple).
Learn more about ProteaseWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water
