Bromelain, the pineapple enzyme

Bromelain is a group of protein-cutting enzymes from the pineapple plant, used for well over a century to break down protein. In the body it damps inflammatory signalling, thins the fibrin that holds swelling in place, and eases the bruising and puffiness that follow any insult to tissue. That is its honest, well-documented role: it works on swelling, inflammation and the protein scaffolding between cells. It is an enzyme preparation, not a fat-dissolving agent, and the reach of a topical enzyme is the upper skin.