The enzyme derived from pineapple that is used in exfoliating skincare products is bromelain.
Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting enzymes found throughout the pineapple plant, especially in its stem. These proteases break large proteins into smaller components, which is why pineapple extracts have long been associated with tenderizing meat. In cosmetics, that same protein-breaking activity can help loosen dead surface cells and create a smoother-feeling skin surface.
Bromelain is not the same enzyme as papain, although the two are often confused. Papain comes from papaya and is also used in some exfoliating and enzymatic skincare formulas. Keratinase and collagenase are different proteolytic enzymes with other biological roles. The word “bromelain” can refer either to particular pineapple proteases or to the broader enzyme-rich extract.
Pineapple processing waste, including stems and peels, is an important commercial source of bromelain. Heat can deactivate these enzymes, so fresh pineapple and specially processed extracts behave differently from canned or cooked fruit. Cosmetic products may also vary considerably in bromelain concentration and activity.