8 Benefits Of Papaya For Your Skin + The Right Ways To Use

Did you know that both ripe and raw papaya benefits your skin, hair, immunity system, and overall health? Papayas nourish you from within, help improve your health, and alleviate some common health concerns.

A rich resource of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, even one small papaya contains about 300 times more vitamin C than the recommended daily value. Let’s find out what papaya can do for your skin and how you should be using it.

Is Papaya Good For Your Skin? What Does Science Say?

There are many studies supporting the goodness of papaya for the skin. A recent study shows that papaya is beneficial to all organs and in all stages of life. Besides being a delicious fruit, papaya is a huge source of antioxidants and beneficial enzymes [1] that offer a number of health benefits.

According to a 2013 study, the high content of vitamins A, B, and C make papaya significantly beneficial for human health. Proteolytic enzymes of papaya, such as papain and chymopapain [2], also have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Papaya also showed promising results in treating warts, corns, sinuses, eczema, and other hardness of the skin [3].

Several other scientific studies support the fact that papaya benefits the skin and different organs as well. Let's have a look at the benefits of eating papaya for the skin.

Benefits Of Papaya For Your Skin

1. Acne Control

Proteolytic enzymes of papaya, papain and chymopapain are helpful in reducing inflammation [4]. The papain enzyme has a protein-dissolving property which helps in exfoliation. So, papain-containing products can help to reduce acne. It works by clearing out the dead skin cells that clog pores.

Papain is good for damaged keratin removal, which may otherwise create build ups on skin. A recent study also showed that papain shows significant results in treatment for scarring.

A high concentration of retinol, a topical version of vitamin A in papaya, also makes it useful for treating and preventing inflammatory acne.

2. Wrinkle Reduction

Papaya is a rich source of antioxidants, like lycopene, that help to reduce the visible signs of aging. According to a 2017 study, antioxidants present in papaya can help to combat free radical damage, which helps to keep your skin smooth and youthful.

As per a 2012 research, papaya components can also help improve the elasticity of your skin, which can minimize the appearance of wrinkles.

3. Deeply Cleanses Skin

Papaya is enriched with helpful enzymes and plant-based antioxidants. These components can remove impurities like dead and damaged cells, tissues, and debris from the skin's surface.

Papaya also helps to clean the pores and make the skin bright and clear. It also provides a fairer complexion by penetrating the inner layers of skin and thoroughly removing dirt and excess oil discharges.

4. Helps To Treat Skin Diseases

For ages, papaya has been used as a natural remedy for scars, burns, and other skin disorders. Papaya enzymes exfoliate dead skin cells and remove pollutants from the skin. Direct application of papaya pulp to the affected skin region can help you to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It can also help to alleviate itching and redness.

5. Moisturises Skin

Papaya is also a good skin moisturizer. A high concentration of antioxidants and enzymes aid in treating dry, flaky skin and restore the natural skin moisture. Regular application of papaya pulp to your skin can soften it and help to bring back its natural glow.

6. Reduces Skin Pigmentation

Papaya is a wonderful combination of ingredients like enzymes, beta-carotene, vitamins, and phytochemicals that can help you get rid of scars and uneven skin pigmentation. These ingredients offer skin-lightening effects that are beneficial in removing blemishes and discoloration. Papaya's richness of beta-carotene and plant components improves the appearance of your skin and makes it smoother.

7. Treats Facial Hair

Instead of the hassles of regular waxing or threading, a raw papaya face pack can be a unique solution. Papaya contains enzymes that can lighten your facial hair like a bleach, and also weaken facial hair follicles. Regular use of this pack can prevent hair re-growth as well.

8. Helps To Treat Dark Spots

Papaya can also help to lighten your skin spots and eliminate tan. The enzyme papain can be an excellent cure for darkened skin patches, like acne spots or dark elbows and knees.

Papaya is also popular as a home remedy for melasma, a skin condition that causes dark, discolored patches. It is already clinically proven that papain in papaya can dissolve inactive protein and can lighten and soften the skin.

Available Forms Of Papaya

Besides papaya fruit, many other parts of the papaya plant are beneficial for the skin. You can get the goodness of papaya in different forms like juice, soap, powder, etc. Let's look at how to get the benefits of papaya in different forms.

1. Fruit

You can benefit from papaya whether it is eaten raw, ripe or is cooked. Apart from consumption, mashed papaya pulp can be used topically as a face pack. You can also add honey, turmeric, lemon juice, or egg white (as per your skin's need) to the mashed papaya pulp. Apply it to remove tan, lighten skin, exfoliate, moisturize, or nourish.

Different packs can provide varied benefits depending on the ingredients. Alternatively, you can also make slices or dice up ripe papaya and rub this on your cleansed skin. Wait for 15 minutes, and wash. Enjoy a cleaner and brighter skin instantly.

2. Seeds

Papaya seeds are also good for your skin. These are incredibly high in polyphenols and flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants and phytochemicals of papaya seeds can protect your skin cells from oxidative damage.

Note:

Papaya seeds also show anti-aging properties and help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Leaves

Papaya leaves are usually consumed orally or applied topically for soft, clear, and young-looking skin. Papaya leaves also contain papain, a protein-dissolving enzyme. So, the leaf extract can be used topically as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells, clear clogged pores, and treat acne.

Papaya leaf enzymes are also helpful in promoting wound healing. A study shows that papaya leaf extract can minimize the appearance of scar tissue. It also has anti-inflammatory effects.

4. Powder

Papaya dust or powder is a wonderful and handy way to get its goodness. Papaya powder can be used in different forms such as face packs, scrubs, toner, etc. Many skincare brands put papaya powder as a prime ingredient in their products.

5. Paste

While you can easily get raw or ripened papaya paste in the market, do choose an organic option for your face. Avoid products meant to be used in cooking as meat tenderizers. You can add different ingredients of your choice, like honey, turmeric, etc.

to the paste and get a suitable face pack for your skin.

 

6. Soap

This is the easiest way to get the benefits of papaya. Organic papaya soap with fruit extract, vitamin C & E, and antioxidants can lighten your skin, reduce irregular pigmentation and improve collagen production.

7. Juice

Whether you opt for a homemade juice or the packed version, papaya juice comes loaded with vitamin A and can provide instant hydration and glow. The presence of potassium in the juice helps to moisturize the skin and removes dullness.

 

8. Raw Papaya

Green papaya contains papain. Therefore, it works excellently in removing the dead skin layer from the skin.

How To Use Papaya For Your Skin?

How you choose to use papaya for maximizing benefits will depend on your unique skin type. Given below are a few ways to use papaya for your skin:

1. For Dry Skin

A pack with papaya pulp, milk and honey can moisturize your dry skin and make it glow. Take half a cup of mashed papaya pulp and mix it with milk and honey. Make a smooth paste and apply the pack to your face and neck. Wash it off with water after 15 minutes. For best results, repeat once or twice a week.

SkinKraft Tip:

Papaya is a fantastic component to moisturize your skin. Adding honey to papaya offers better hydration, and keeps your skin supple and smooth. Both papaya and milk are good for exfoliation and make your skin clean and fresh.

2. For Oily Skin

Papaya and orange both contain vitamin C. A mixture of their juices is believed to act as a natural astringent that can minimize sebum production. Make a smooth blend of chopped papaya and orange pulp. Apply the mix to the face and neck and leave it for 15 minutes. Then rinse with cold water.

3. For Irritated Skin

A face pack with cucumber, banana, and papaya pulp will moisturize skin and help to lighten it. The anti-inflammatory and anti-acne properties of papaya can soothe your skin and reduce itchiness and redness. Keep the face pack on for 15 minutes and wash off.

4. For Acne-Prone Skin

Papaya contains enzymes that help cleanse the skin and unclog pores. Together with honey and lemon juice, it can also kill harmful acne-causing bacteria. Take mashed papaya and add honey, lemon juice, and sandalwood powder to it and make a smooth paste. Apply this to the face and wash off with water after 15 minutes.

5. For Skin Brightening

Mashed papaya with lemon juice can brighten your skin with its skin-lightening, bleaching, and astringent properties. Apply it on your face and wash off once it dries.

Wrapping Up

Papaya can benefit your skin in multiple ways. Not only the fruit, but its leaves and seeds are also beneficial for your skin. Besides using the fruit directly, you can also get the goodness of papaya from its gel, powder, seed oil, soap, packs, etc. So, start nourishing your skin with the goodness of papaya!

Begin By Knowing Your Skin