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Enzyme

Ficin (Fig Enzyme)

A proteolytic enzyme from fig latex — a potent natural exfoliant that dissolves the protein bonds of dead skin cells gently and effectively without requiring acidic pH.

Enzyme exfoliantBrighteningGentleNatural enzyme
⚠ Unknown
Comedogenic Rating
0/5
Irritation Potential
1/5

What is it?

Ficin is derived from the milky latex of unripe Ficus carica figs, where it serves as a natural defense enzyme. For cosmetic use it's extracted, purified, and stabilized as a powder or liquid concentrate standardized to enzyme activity units.

Enzymatic exfoliation of dead skin cells, skin texture refinement, mild brightening, surface skin renewal.

Key Benefits

✦
Effective Enzymatic Exfoliation
Ficin cleaves keratin protein bonds between corneocytes efficiently — removing dead surface cells without scrubbing and without the pH restrictions of AHAs, making it suitable for sensitive skin that reacts to acids.
◈
pH-Neutral Action
Unlike AHAs (which require low pH for activity), ficin works at near-neutral pH — a significant advantage for sensitive skin and for formulations that contain pH-sensitive actives.
✧
Fast Exfoliation Kinetics
Ficin has faster reaction kinetics than papain (from papaya) at equivalent concentrations — requiring shorter contact time to achieve comparable exfoliation depth.
◉
Brightening Effect
By removing the layer of dull, dead cells that obscure skin tone, ficin treatment improves luminosity and helps other actives (brightening serums, vitamin C) penetrate more effectively.

Suitable for

All skin typesSensitive skin (acid-intolerant)Dull skinRough-textured skin

Main Actions

✓ Enzymatic exfoliant✓ Skin renewal✓ Brightening
Latex allergy consideration

Ficin is derived from fig latex, which cross-reacts with natural rubber latex in some individuals. People with confirmed latex allergy should patch-test carefully before using ficin-containing products. The risk is generally low at cosmetic concentrations but worth noting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ficin (Fig Enzyme) do for skin?
Enzymatic exfoliation of dead skin cells, skin texture refinement, mild brightening, surface skin renewal.
Who should use Ficin (Fig Enzyme)?
Ficin (Fig Enzyme) is suitable for: All skin types, Sensitive skin (acid-intolerant), Dull skin, Rough-textured skin.
Are there any warnings about Ficin (Fig Enzyme)?
Ficin is derived from fig latex, which cross-reacts with natural rubber latex in some individuals. People with confirmed latex allergy should patch-test carefully before using ficin-containing products. The risk is generally low at cosmetic concentrations but worth noting.

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