Papaya Extract
INCI: Asimina Triloba Fruit Extract
Reviewed by Daisy · Last updated 18 Aug 2026
Also known as: Pawpaw Extract
Plant extract that is the source of the enzyme papain,
EWG Safety Score
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What Is Papaya Extract?
Plant extract that is the source of the enzyme papain, which theoretically can have exfoliating properties on skin, although the majority of the research was not performed on skin. Papaya can be a skin sensitizer, but it’s not as potentially risky as pure papain.
Still, it’s not an ingredient to apply daily; there are better options for leave-on exfoliants, including glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
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Papaya Extract is a variant of Asimina Triloba Fruit Extract, the form you will most often see on an ingredients list.
A plant extract with traditional use and emerging research interest in skincare formulations
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