Protease
Protease is a gentle enzyme used in skincare to help break down dead skin cells and support natural exfoliation. It is popular in cleansers, masks and peels for delivering smoother, brighter-looking skin without the harshness of traditional scrubs.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics protease works by selectively breaking the peptide bonds in the proteins that hold together dead skin cells on the surface of the stratum corneum. This enzymatic action promotes a smoother skin texture and enhances the absorption of other active ingredients, making it a common choice in gentle exfoliating formulations, enzyme peels and brightening masks.
Key benefits
- Promotes gentle exfoliation
- Helps reveal brighter, more radiant skin
- Smooths rough or uneven skin texture
- Enhances absorption of other skincare ingredients
- Suitable for sensitive skin formulations
- Can reduce the appearance of dullness
Best for
dull skin, mature skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, uneven texture
Where it comes from
Protease used in UK beauty products is typically derived from natural sources such as pineapple (bromelain) or papaya (papain), although some cosmetic grades are produced by controlled fermentation of bacteria or fungi.
Products with Protease
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Protease than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.