Papaya Enzyme Cleanser
Papaya Enzyme Cleanser
Product Description
Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser is a gentle, foaming gel face wash powered by papaya enzymes (papain) and salicylic acid. It dissolves dull, dead surface cells, lifts away makeup, oil and impurities, and helps reveal a smoother, brighter complexion β all without stripping skin of its natural moisture balance.
β¨ Texture & Feel
Dual Exfoliation
Papain enzyme plus salicylic acid work together to smooth the surface and clear inside pores for a polished, refined feel.
Non-Stripping
Cleanses thoroughly while keeping skin moisture-balanced β no tight, dry or squeaky-clean feeling afterwards.
Melts Makeup
Lifts away makeup, sunscreen and daily grime in one gentle wash, and a nickel-sized amount goes a long way.
Brightening
Regular enzyme exfoliation helps reveal a smoother, more even and radiant-looking complexion over time.
π‘οΈ Safety & Compatibility
Contains salicylic acid (BHA). Because it is a rinse-off cleanser, systemic absorption is very low, but many clinicians still advise caution with BHA. Check with your doctor.
Not fungal-acne safe. It contains coconut-derived esters and PEGs (e.g. PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate) that can feed malassezia, though risk is reduced in a wash-off product.
Low salicylic acid and gentle enzymes make it soothing for most skin. Has a low, skin-friendly pH that many users report agrees with their skin.
Contains fragrance and papain, which can be a sensitizer (especially with a latex or papaya allergy). Patch test if your skin is very reactive.
π¬ Ingredient Breakdown
π§ͺ Salicylic Acid (BHA) ~1β2% Proven
An oil-soluble beta hydroxy acid that exfoliates the surface and penetrates into pores to clear buildup, control oil and calm breakouts. In this cleanser it provides a gentle, daily-level exfoliation.
- FDA: Concentrations of 0.5β2% are recognized as over-the-counter acne actives.
- Mechanism: Structurally related to aspirin, it also has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.
- Note: Revision does not publicly disclose the exact percentage; independent analyses estimate roughly 1.25β2.5%.
π Papain (Papaya Enzyme) Enzyme Promising
A proteolytic enzyme from the papaya plant that gently dissolves the bonds between dead surface cells for a non-abrasive, scrub-free polish. It also has soothing and antimicrobial properties.
- Action: Breaks down keratin proteins on the skin surface to smooth texture.
- Bonus: Papain has been shown to help soothe acne-related inflammation.
𧑠Carica Papaya Fruit Extract Extract Promising
The whole-fruit extract delivers papain and chymopapain enzymes plus antioxidant vitamins (including lycopene and vitamin A) that help brighten dull skin and protect against free-radical damage.
- Antioxidant: Rich in protective antioxidants that support a more radiant look.
- Research: One study suggests papaya enzymes may help reduce the appearance of scarring.
𫧠Cocamidopropyl Betaine + Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Surfactants Proven
The cleansing system that creates the gel's lather. Cocamidopropyl betaine is a mild, coconut-derived surfactant, while sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) provides effective foaming and makeup removal.
- Coconut-derived: Cocamidopropyl betaine is mild and helps thicken and creamify the texture.
- Effective: SLS gives the thorough, foaming clean users praise for makeup removal.
π§ Sorbitol & Glycols (Humectant Blend) Support Proven
Sorbitol, butylene glycol and caprylyl glycol draw and hold water to offset the drying potential of cleansing, helping skin stay comfortable and moisture-balanced after rinsing.
- Sorbitol: A sugar-alcohol humectant that also acts as a prebiotic for the skin microbiome.
- Caprylyl Glycol: Conditions skin and supports the preservative system.
22 ingredients
Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate, Sorbitol, Glycereth-2 Cocoate, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Butylene Glycol, Salicylic Acid, Papain, Bis-PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone, Acrylates/Aminoacrylates/C10-30 Alkyl PEG-20 Itaconate Copolymer, Citric Acid, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Carbomer, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Maltodextrin, Benzoic Acid, Parfum.
π Where It Fits in Your Routine
Use as your first step, morning and/or evening. As a cleanser it goes on bare, wet skin before everything else. Always follow with a broad-spectrum sunscreen in your morning routine.
π How to Use
Wet
Splash your face with lukewarm water to prep the skin.
Dispense
Squeeze a nickel-sized amount into wet palms and rub hands together.
Massage
Work into a light lather using circular motions, avoiding the eye area. For extra exfoliation, leave on for 1β2 minutes as a mini enzyme mask.
Rinse
Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. Follow with your treatment, serum and moisturizer.
π€ Who Is It For?
β Perfect for you if:
- You have oily, combination or congestion-prone skin
- You want gentle daily exfoliation without gritty scrubs
- You like a foaming gel that also removes makeup
- You want smoother texture and brighter tone over time
β Consider alternatives if:
- You are strictly fungal-acne (malassezia) prone
- You need a completely fragrance-free cleanser
- You have very dry or a compromised barrier (a cream cleanser may suit better)
- You have a known papain, papaya or latex sensitivity
π― Skin Type Compatibility
Oil-free foaming gel with salicylic acid that clears excess oil and congestion without over-drying.
Balances oilier zones while the enzymes keep drier areas smooth and comfortable.
A reliable everyday cleanser that maintains clarity and a healthy glow.
Humectants help, but the SLS-based lather and BHA may feel too cleansing β follow with a rich moisturizer.
Many report it as soothing, but fragrance and papain mean a patch test is wise for reactive skin.
π Results Timeline
Clean, smooth, refreshed
Skin feels thoroughly cleansed and noticeably smoother; makeup and grime are lifted away.
90% noticedSofter texture
The surface feels softer and less rough or congested as enzyme exfoliation builds up.
70% noticedBrighter & clearer
Improved radiance and fewer clogged-looking pores with consistent twice-daily use.
55% noticedMore even tone
A more even, refined and polished complexion as part of an ongoing routine.
45% noticedβ Ratings by Platform
βοΈ Pros & Cons
β Praised
- Gentle yet effective daily exfoliation
- Removes makeup and impurities thoroughly
- Doesn't strip or over-dry the skin
- Pleasant papaya scent and a satisfying lather
- A little goes a long way β bottle lasts 4β6 months
β Criticized
- Premium price (~$45)
- Contains added fragrance / parfum
- Not fungal-acne (malassezia) safe
- Exact salicylic acid % not disclosed by brand
- Larger sizes can be hard to find in stock
π° Budget-Friendly Alternatives (Dupes)
Closest enzyme match β uses papaya plus grapefruit for gentle exfoliation. However it has no salicylic acid and contains parabens and added dyes.
Shares the salicylic acid exfoliation and adds ceramides and is fragrance-free, but lacks the papaya enzymes and brightening angle.
The cheapest BHA gel option for daily exfoliation, but it's a more basic formula with no enzymes and a simpler, no-frills feel.
π Comparison with Competitors
Revision Papaya Enzyme Cleanser (Featured)
$45.00Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
$26.00CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser
$15.97Cetaphil Gentle Exfoliating SA Cleanser
$9.97π¦ Storage & Shelf Life
12 months after opening
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; keep the cap closed.
Squeeze bottle with flip-top cap (tube format on the travel size)
Yes β a 3.4 oz / 100ml travel size is available and is carry-on compliant
β Frequently Asked Questions
It contains salicylic acid (BHA). Because this is a rinse-off cleanser, the contact time is short and systemic absorption is very low, which is generally considered low-risk. That said, many clinicians prefer to err on the side of caution with BHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so we recommend checking with your own doctor before use.
No. The formula includes coconut-derived esters and PEGs β such as PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate and Glycereth-2 Cocoate β that can potentially feed malassezia yeast. As a wash-off product the risk is lower than a leave-on, but if you are strictly managing fungal acne, a simpler salicylic acid cleanser like CeraVe SA may be a safer choice.
Yes. As a cleanser it rinses off, so it layers well with most actives applied afterward, including retinol, vitamin C and other acids. Because it already contains a low level of salicylic acid and papain, very sensitive skin may want to space out additional strong exfoliating or retinoid treatments to avoid over-exfoliation.
It is best suited to oily and combination skin, and works well for normal skin too. It's a good fit for anyone wanting gentle daily exfoliation without scrubs. Very dry or compromised-barrier skin may find the SLS-based lather a little too cleansing and may prefer a cream cleanser.
Most people notice immediately smoother, cleaner-feeling skin from the first wash. Smoother texture typically appears over the first one to two weeks, while brighter tone and fewer clogged-looking pores tend to develop with consistent twice-daily use over about four to eight weeks.
It's your first step. Use it on bare, wet skin in the morning and/or evening before toner, serums and moisturizer. In your morning routine, always finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
It has a low comedogenic rating of about 1 out of 5. As an oil-free rinse-off cleanser containing pore-clearing salicylic acid, it is unlikely to clog pores for most users and is generally well-suited to acne-prone and congestion-prone skin.
The Period After Opening (PAO) is around 12 months. In practice, many users report that a single 6.7 oz bottle lasts roughly four to six months because only a nickel-sized amount is needed per wash.
Verdict: Revision Skincare's Papaya Enzyme Cleanser is a well-loved, dermatologist-favorite gel wash that pairs papaya enzymes with a low level of salicylic acid for gentle, scrub-free daily exfoliation. It reliably removes makeup and impurities, leaves skin smooth and brighter over time, and rarely over-dries β a nickel-sized amount lasts months. The main trade-offs are its premium price, the added fragrance, and the fact that it isn't fungal-acne safe. If you have oily or combination skin and don't mind a light scent, it's an easy, effective everyday cleanser to recommend.
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skinβs own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging Β«promisesΒ» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
Anti-Aging from 1 ingredient(s):
Brightening from 2 ingredient(s):
Promotes Wound Healing from 1 ingredient(s):
Ache-fighting from 1 ingredient(s):
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Water
Solvent, Skin Conditioning
|
|
|
| 4 |
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Skin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning, Sufactant, Foam Boosting
|
|
|
| 0 |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
|
|
|
| 0 |
PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate
Emulsifying
|
|
|
| 1 |
Sorbitol
Skin Conditioning, Fragrance, Humectant, Flavoring Agent, Plasticizer, Masking
|
Hydrating
|