papain
molecular structure · PubChem
AKA: Papaya protease, Caricain
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Enzyme
Clean
Papain
CAS #
9001-73-4
Form
Powder
Functions
Antistatic
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Locks in moisture
Traditional Use
Extracted from papaya plants used in tropical medicine systems. Papain was identified as a protein-digesting enzyme in the 19th century and adopted by the cosmetics industry in the mid-20th century as a natural exfoliant alternative to synthetic options.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types, gentle
Best For
Uneven Texture
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
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Verified Jun 2026
Data: CosIng · EWG · CIR