Protease

Protease is a cosmetic ingredient used as a skin conditioning agent. It is used in 96 products in our dataset. It is regulated in the EU (listed in a Cosmetics Regulation annex). PubMed carries 24,799 studies of its skin or topical use.

INCI namePROTEASE
FunctionSKIN CONDITIONING
CAS number9001-92-7
EC number232-642-4
Prevalence96 products (0.1% of dataset)
Most used inSkincare
EU statusRestricted (annex )
Scientific studies24,799 on PubMed (skin/cosmetic/topical)
Monthly searches12,100

Used in

Exfoliators 28.1%Face Cleansers 21.9%Makeup Removers 10.4%Toners 10.4%Lip Moisturizers 8.3%Wash Off Masks 7.3%

Frequently asked

What does Protease do in skincare?
Protease functions as a skin conditioning agent in cosmetic formulas.
Is Protease allowed in cosmetics?
Yes, but it is regulated in the EU — it appears in a Cosmetics Regulation annex with usage conditions.
What products contain Protease?
It is most commonly found in Skincare products, especially exfoliators (28.1% of its uses).

Manufacturers with experience using Protease

Match with vetted US contract manufacturers that have hands-on experience formulating with this ingredient.