What is Papain?
Papain is an active ingredient. A papaya-derived exfoliating enzyme rated 0/5 for clogging; irritancy varies with concentration.
Where Papain shows up
You'll most often find Papain in targeted treatment products. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 2/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.
Is Papain bad for acne-prone skin?
Because it barely registers on the comedogenic scale, Papain is generally a safe pick for breakout-prone skin and is often recommended as a gentler alternative to heavier ingredients.