Pineapple Enzyme: Gentle, Enzymatic Exfoliation

As we age, cell turnover slows down, resulting in dead cell build-up and dull skin. This can accentuate wrinkles and the general appearance of ageing.

As Dr Pauline Hili, Nourish London's founder and formulator, explains: "Formulating an exfoliator gentle enough to use daily, without the redness and barrier disruption I often saw with chemical exfoliants, was one of the reasons I selected pineapple extract as a primary ingredient in our exfoliator."

Benefits

Exfoliates gently without irritation Improves the appearance of skin texture Calms reactive or problematic skin Brightens and revitalises complexion Evens the appearance of skin tone

Best For

Dull or lacklustre skin Dehydrated skin Oily or over-active sebum Reactive or sensitive skin

What Is Pineapple Enzyme?

Pineapple enzyme is a high-purity extract from Ananas Sativus fruit, harnessing bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme naturally suited to gentle exfoliation. It contains bromelain, a potent proteolytic enzyme that breaks down the corneodesmosomes, the protein structures holding dead skin cells together, helping to clear pore debris and leave skin calmer and more comfortable.

Unlike physical scrubs or high-strength acids, it works enzymatically, targeting only the corneodesmosomes binding dead cells in place, rather than abrading the skin's surface.

How It Works

In the Kale Enzymatic Exfoliator, pineapple extract works synergistically with pomegranate extract to break down the corneodesmosomes responsible for dead skin cell build-up, while leaving healthy, newer skin cells undisturbed.

Because the action is enzymatic rather than mechanical or acid-based, it is mild enough for daily use, even on skin that reacts to AHAs, BHAs or physical scrubs, while still revealing brighter, smoother-looking skin over time.

Why Formulation Matters

Bromelain is easily denatured by high heat, and its enzymatic activity declines as a result. Manufacturing and storage temperatures are kept below 50°C to protect it. For optimal performance on skin, the formula is also maintained at a pH between 4.5 and 7, bromelain's effective working range.

Scientific Notes

Recent cosmetic-specific research supports bromelain's role in enzymatic exfoliation, showing it facilitates the breakdown of corneodesmosomes, the protein structures holding dead skin cells together, promoting gentle cell turnover and skin renewal (Venetikidou et al., 2025). This is consistent with wider research into bromelain's applications across cosmetic and industrial uses (Sarawanan et al., 2025).

In an independent, dermatologist-supervised four-week in-use trial of the Kale Enzymatic Exfoliator, where pineapple extract works alongside pomegranate extract as a key active, 30 women aged 40 to 71 used the product at home under normal conditions. Of the 30 participants, 29 reported no unexpected effects over the trial period, and the supervising dermatologist confirmed the product is suitable for facial skin hygiene and care (Dr Koziej Sp. z o.o., 2023).