Proteolytic Enzyme Activities of Bromelain, Ficin, and Papain from Fruit By-Products and Potential Applications in Sustainable and Functional Cosmetics for Skincare

Enzyme peels are an emerging and effective cosmetic technique for controlled skin exfoliation. Naturally occurring proteolytic enzymes such as bromelain, ficin, and papain have gained increasing attention as promising cosmetic and cosmeceutical ingredients due to their exfoliating and skin resurfacing properties. These enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of keratin protein bonds, facilitate the removal of dead skin cells from the outermost layer of the epidermis, and promote cell turnover. The role of these enzymes in skin care is particularly noteworthy due to their gentle, yet effective, exfoliating action, their ability to improve the penetration of active ingredients, and their contribution to skin renewal and regeneration. While proteolytic enzymes are traditionally extracted from fruit pulp, recent research highlights fruit by-products such as pineapple peels, fig latex, and papaya peels, as sustainable and environmentally friendly sources. These by-products, which are often discarded in the food and agricultural industries, are rich in enzymatic activity and bioactive compounds, making them valuable alternatives for cosmetic applications. Their use is in line with the principles of the circular economy. They contribute to waste prevention while improving the availability of effective enzymatic exfoliants. This review provides a comparative analysis of bromelain, ficin, and papain, highlighting their different biochemical properties, their efficacy in cosmetic formulations, and their common mechanisms of action. In addition, the extraction processes from fruit by-products, their incorporation into skin care formulations, and their potential for sustainable cosmetic applications are examined. The results underline the growing importance of proteolytic enzymes, not only as exfoliating agents, but also as multifunctional bioactive components in next-generation cosmetic products.