The Healthy Skin Benefits of Papaya
As the skincare industry continues to follow the trend of natural healing and plant-based benefits, companies and customers alike are peeking into their refrigerators for the next miracle ingredient. Consumers are realizing that the superfoods they are adding into their diets can be just as beneficial on their skin, and brands are continually discovering new benefits hidden within our favorite foods.
The newest superfood to make the leap from fridge to skin is papaya. The unique blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and active enzymes make it a powerful remedy for a myriad of skin issues. Read on to discover how to get the best out of this potent ingredient for glowing, radiant skin.
Originating from Central America and Mexico, the papaya was nicknamed “The Fruit of the Angels” by Christopher Columbus after he discovered its rich taste and luscious consistency. The “paw paw” (as it is most commonly called) is revered for its delicious taste and many nutritional benefits: improving heart health and digestion, preventing cancers, and protecting against indigestion. These outstanding health benefits have led skincare experts to discover how its diverse advantages can be used on the skin.
Papain is a powerful enzyme that is plentiful in papayas and provides the strongest and most diverse set of skincare benefits. Papain, first and foremost, is a powerful exfoliator that can restore a more even skin tone and texture.
The skin naturally renews itself about once every 28 days. But, this process slows down with age; this can result in patches of dry skin and uneven tone. Papain enzyme accelerates the shedding of dead skin cells, making it a powerful exfoliant. Papaya added to a body scrub reveals a new, glowing layer of skin. In combination with its naturally-occurring alpha-hydroxy acids, the exfoliating powers of papain extract helps to lighten the skin and reduce the appearance of scars and any dark circles or discoloration in the under eye area
Using papaya as an exfoliant is a wonderful natural alternative for those with sensitive skin who experience irritation from abrasive salt or sugar based scrubs. Using papaya in a mask, like Ellie’s Best Pineapple and Papaya Mask, is the most effective way to experience the benefits of an exfoliant without the irritation. Simply apply the mask, leave it on the skin as directed, and rinse off with water. The papain enzymes will do the work, and you can simply enjoy your newly soft skin.
In addition to its exfoliating benefits, papain enzyme is proven to inhibit the growth of unwanted hair, as well as reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
This exotic fruit also contains an abundance of vitamin A. When used on the skin, Vitamin A has a multitude of benefits: it protects against UV damage, slows signs of aging, encourages healthy skin cell production, and strengthens the skin’s barrier to protect against harmful irritants.
Vitamin C is also abundantly found in papaya. Applied topically, Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection to fight free radical damage. Free radicals play a large role in accelerating the signs of aging. Preventing these free radicals from entering the body through the skin aids in keeping a youthful glow and preventing wrinkles.
The third vitamin to round out the power of papaya is E. Vitamin E is a powerful anti-inflammatory that protects cell membranes, which form a barrier around cells to keep skin healthy and hydrated.
The benefits of papaya are powerful and multifaceted, ranging from smoothing skin to preventing wrinkles. Each ingredient provides a particular purpose and can be tailored to many individual skin types. By harnessing the power of this superfruit, skin can be healed to glowing, moisturized perfection.
