Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme naturally found in the stomach that breaks down proteins into peptides. In skincare, it is used as a gentle enzymatic exfoliant in peel-off masks, gommage peels, and enzyme cleansers. It selectively digests dead skin cell proteins without abrasive scrubbing.
Key Skin Benefits
+ Gentle enzymatic exfoliation — no physical scrubbing
+ Digests dead skin proteins selectively
+ Smoother, brighter skin after use
+ Good for sensitive skin that can't tolerate AHAs/BHAs
Pros
+ Gentler than acid exfoliants
+ Effective in rinse-off peels and masks
+ No risk of over-exfoliation when used as directed
Cons
− Animal-derived — not vegetarian/vegan friendly
− pH-dependent activity (works best at acidic pH 2-3)
− Limited stability in water-based formulations
− Not for leave-on products — rinse-off only
Specifications
Property
Value
Usage Areas
Face, Eye, Body
Product Type
Rinse-Off
Source
Animal
Natural Level
Natural
Safety Ratings
Metric
Rating
Skin Sensitivity
2/5 (low — when properly formulated)
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
EWG Score
4/10
Regional Regulatory Limits
Region
Leave-on %
Rinse-off %
Status
EU (CosIng)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
US (CIR/FDA)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
Japan (MHLW)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
ASEAN
No limit
No limit
Allowed
China (NMPA)
No limit
No limit
Allowed
Typical Usage % by Product Type
Product Type
Typical %
Enzyme peel mask
0.1 - 1%
Gommage exfoliator
0.05 - 0.5%
Enzyme cleanser
0.1 - 0.5%
References
CIR — Safety Assessment of enzymes in cosmetics. PMID: 16971792
EU CosIng Database — Listed as skin conditioning.
PubMed — Enzymatic exfoliation in dermatology. PMID: 21848837