Papaya benefits
The benefits of applying papaya fruit to your skin completely depend on their composition. Papain enzyme is present in Papaya fruit pulp and juice, which increases collagen production. Collagen, in its turn, is responsible for skin elasticity and health. Papaya contains vitamins A, C, and E and antioxidants that help moisturise, slow ageing processes, and nourish your skin.
Papaya leaves have various skin benefits due to their enzyme content, so they can also be used for food or as a cosmetic ingredient to apply to your skin. That's why you can see many papaya extracts in skincare and hair care products, but you can always try DIY papaya beauty recipes at home or just add this fruit to your menu.
Available forms of Papaya
Many other parts of the papaya plant are just as beneficial as the fruit. You can get the goodness of Papaya in different forms like juice, soap, powder, etc. Some of the forms of papaya include
Fruit
You can benefit from Papaya whether it is eaten raw, ripe or cooked. Topically, mashed papaya pulp can be used as a face pack apart from consumption. As per your skin's need, you can also add lemon juice, honey, egg white or turmeric to the mashed papaya pulp. It is applied on the skin to exfoliate, lighten skin, remove tan, moisturise, or nourish.
Different packs can provide varied benefits depending on the ingredients. Alternatively, make slices or dice up ripe Papaya and use it on your cleansed skin. Wait for 15 minutes, and wash. Enjoy cleaner and brighter skin instantly.
Powder
A fantastic and convenient way to consume Papaya's benefits is as dust or powder. Papaya powder can be used in various products, including toner, scrubs, and face packs. Papaya powder is a popular ingredient in many skincare brands' products.
Paste
Choose an organic choice for your face, even though you can readily find raw or ripened papaya paste in the market. Avoid using meat tenderisers that are intended for use in cooking. You can include additional ingredients, such as honey, turmeric, etc.
Leaves
Papaya leaves are typically eaten or applied topically to the skin to promote soft, clean, and youthful-looking skin. Papain, an enzyme that dissolves proteins, is also present in papaya leaves. The leaf extract can be used topically to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and treat acne.
Enzymes from papaya leaves are beneficial for accelerating wound healing. According to a study, papaya leaf extract can reduce the visibility of scar tissue. It has anti-inflammatory properties as well.
Soap
The simplest approach to reap the rewards of Papaya is this way. Your skin can get lighter, have less uneven pigmentation, and produce more collagen when you use organic papaya soap with fruit extract, vitamins C and E, and antioxidants.
Seeds
Papaya seeds are advantageous to your skin as well. Polyphenols and flavonoids, which function as antioxidants, are abundant in these. Papaya seeds include antioxidants and phytochemicals that can shield your skin cells from oxidative damage. Papaya seeds also possess anti-ageing qualities and lessen the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
Papaya juice
Papaya juice, made at home or purchased pre-packaged, is high in vitamin A and can give you an instant glow. The juice's potassium content helps moisturise skin and takes away the dullness.
Top Benefits of Papaya in Hair and Skincare
Wrinkle reduction
Antioxidants like lycopene, which is abundant in Papaya, may help prevent the outward signs of ageing. According to a study, increased free radical activity is to blame for a large portion of the skin damage and wrinkles that come along with ageing.
A study found that these antioxidants can help in preventing free radical damage, keeping your skin smooth and young-looking. Additionally, Papaya may increase the suppleness of your skin. This increase in skin suppleness may lessen the visibility of wrinkles.
Fights acne
Inflammation can be radically reduced by papain and chymopapain, two papaya enzymes. Several exfoliating products contain the protein-eroding papain. These products might clear pores of dead skin cells that might cause acne. Papain removes tiny lumps that are caused by damaged keratin.
Scarring can be effectively treated with papain. Vitamin A is also abundant in Papaya. The effect of nutrition on acne is unknown, despite the possibility that vitamin A might be involved in its onset and management.
Melasma treatment
A well-liked natural treatment for melasma is Papaya. According to proponents of natural medicine, the enzymes, beta-carotene, vitamins, and phytochemicals in Papaya are said to have skin-lightening qualities. When paired with papain's effect of dissolving inert protein, can lighten and soften the skin, despite there being no clinical evidence to support this. Cold-pressed papaya seed oil can be used daily to help fade black spots.
Hair conditioning
A study found that vitamin A in Papaya may benefit hair by promoting the production of sebum by the scalp, which hydrates, fortifies, and shields hair.
The following ingredients can be combined to make a papaya hair-conditioning mask:
- Ripe Papaya, half
- 50 ml of coconut oil and one tablespoon of honey
Apply the mask on damp hair, then wait 30 to 40 minutes then rinse, shampoo, and condition your hair as usual.
Dandruff prevention
A fungus called Malassezia that resembles yeast is one of the main causes of dandruff. According to a study, papaya seeds' antifungal qualities can help to both treat and prevent dandruff. For dandruff control, use a papaya deep treatment hair mask.
Hair growth
According to a study, compounds in Papaya, including lycopene, showed a potent hair growth-stimulating activity.
Treats facial hair
A natural alternative to the inconveniences of routine waxing or threading is a raw papaya face mask. Papaya includes enzymes that can weaken facial hair follicles and bleach your facial hair. Additionally, regular usage of homemade face packs can stop hair regrowth.
Treatment for Dark Spots
Papaya can also help you get rid of tan and lighten skin spots. Papain is an amazing treatment for darker skin regions, such as dark elbows and knees or acne scars.
Papaya is a common home cure for melasma, a skin ailment that results in dark and discoloured spots Clinical studies have already demonstrated that papain from Papaya can break down inert protein and lighten and soften skin.
Ways to use Papaya for your skincare
Your particular skin type will determine the best way to consume Papaya to get the most advantages. Here are some tips for using Papaya on your skin:
To Treat Dry Skin
Your dry skin can be moisturised and made to glow with a pack including papaya pulp, milk, and honey.
- Mix milk, honey, and half a cup of mashed papaya pulp together.
- Make a smooth paste, then pack your face and neck with it. After fifteen minutes, wash it off with water.
- Repeat once or twice per week for the best results.
Papaya is an excellent natural moisturiser for your skin. Papaya with honey provides improved hydration and maintains soft, smooth skin. Milk and Papaya are both beneficial for exfoliating.
To Treat Oily Skin
Vitamin C is present in both Papaya and orange. A combination of their fluids is thought to function as a natural astringent that might reduce sebum production. Juice from orange and Papaya are blended together smoothly. After applying the mixture to the face and neck, wait 15 minutes. Then use cold water to rinse.
For Skin Irritation
Cucumber, banana, and papaya pulp mixed into a face mask will moisturise and help lighten skin. Papaya's anti-inflammatory and anti-acne qualities can calm skin, lessen itching, and reduce redness. After 15 minutes, wash the face pack off.
For Skin Prone to Acne
Enzymes found in papaya aid in skin cleaning and pore unclogging. Combined with honey and lemon juice, it can also eliminate the harmful bacteria that cause acne. Make a smooth paste by combining honey, lemon juice, and powdered sandalwood with mashed Papaya. After 15 minutes, wash this off with water. Apply this to your face.
For Skin brightening
Lemon juice, which has skin-lightening, bleaching, and astringent characteristics, can brighten your skin when combined with Papaya. Once it has dried, wash it off your face.
Papaya hair mask
- Cut a few papaya cubes, put them in a blender and turn them into pulp.
- Pass the blended Papaya through a strainer to separate the juice from the pulp. Collect the papaya juice into a container.
- To form a paste, add two tablespoons of aloe vera gel to the papaya juice, and the ingredients should be mixed well.
- Neem and yoghurt are two ingredients that can increase the effectiveness of all these masks, but adding them is optional. While adding a healthy shine to the hair, they also show significant antimicrobial activity that can help prevent or treat scalp infections. You can also use these ingredients in place of honey.
- You can add 2–3 tablespoons of plain or Greek yoghurt to any of the papaya mask recipes alongside the mentioned ingredients.
Papaya face mask
Citric acid and vitamin C, which have bleaching, astringent, and skin-brightening qualities, are abundant in lemons. You need a couple of ripe papaya chunks and one teaspoon of lemon juice
Method
- Papaya should be mashed with freshly squeezed lemon juice .
- Mix the paste thoroughly.
- Put this pack on your face, and leave it there for ten minutes.
- Use warm water to rinse.
- Use this face pack two to three times a week to give your skin a natural glow without the use of dangerous chemicals and get rid of that undesirable tan or dull skin.
Summary
Papaya has numerous skin-friendly properties. Its leaves and seeds are also good for your skin, in addition to the fruit.
In addition to eating the fruit directly, you can also use papaya's beneficial components in the form of gel, powder, seed oil, soap, packs, etc. Start nourishing your skin with papaya's sweetness now!
