For the More Youthful Skin

www.westcoastskncare.blogspot.com

Last time I talked about few skin savers and Now I want to talk about My personal favourite fruit as well as one of the best skin savers - Papaya

Awesomely sweet with musky undertones and a soft, cheese-like consistency, it is no wonder the papaya was reputably called the "Fruit of the Angels" by Christopher Columbus. Papayas are actually found in Central America.  The fruit was bought to many sub tropical regions by Portugal and Spain explorers, later on it travelled to places including India, Philippines and some parts of Africa.

Not only the Papaya fruit but other parts of it are also very good for skin, hair and health. It contains an enzyme called ‘Papain’ that helps you in digesting proteins easily. It is used as a main ingredient in chewing gums and also used in many other dietary supplements. Papaya is a wholesome fruit that offers many benefits for your skin. And hence, this is my favourite.

Let me share some of the skin benefits of papaya that I am aware of

1. Papaya is a best source of Papain and Vitamin A, which helps in breaking inactive proteins and also aids in the removal of dead skin cells, leaving skin to glow
2. This is also less on sodium which helps in retaining water and hence your skin is always hydrated
3. Mashed papaya can also be used to treat cracked and painful heels
4. Papaya also acts as skin exfoliater, that cleans the skin and makes it healthy & glowing
5. The skin shines everlastingly with the application or consumption of papaya on a regular basis
6. It helps your skin discoloration, with the application of papaya on a regular basis
7. Papaya peel can not only whiten the face but also helps in whitening the arms and legs
8. It also helps you in reducing the signs of aging on the face

Tips on Using Papaya on Skin:

• Papaya is fruitful for treating the dark spots.  The application of mashed and uneaten papaya with or without milk on your face can help in removing the dark spots and evens out the skin tone which results into a fairer and glowing skin

• Papaya peel is good for the treating the aging signs. You have to rub the papaya peel all over the face and leave it for 5 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water. Use it on a regular basis for better results. Papaya contains AHA’s or Alfa-Hydroxy Acid in abundance, which has great anti-aging properties; these properties make papaya an acidic fruit. 

Note: Avoid applying it regularly as it causes irritation and dryness to your sensitive skin due to its high acidic properties.

• It can be used  to keep your skin hydrated, take mashed papaya and mix it with few drops of honey and gently apply the mixture on your face. Papaya is very efficient in treating dry skin. Take a small slice of papaya, mash it well and 1 tbsp of milk cream or Malai and mix them. Apply the mixture on your face. After 20 minutes, wash it off carefully.
• It can be used to tighten your skin, mix mashed papaya, rice flour and honey. Now apply the mixture on your skin and leave it for 20 minutes. Apply this pack thrice a week for good results.
• Papaya can also be used as a scrub. The body scrub can be made by mixing mashed raw papaya along with salt spa, olive oil and honey.

Have a Papaya Day!

References:

• Pattison DJ, Silman AJ, Goodson NJ, Lunt M, Bunn D, Luben R, Welch A, Bingham S, Khaw KT, Day N, Symmons DP. Vitamin C and the risk of developing inflammatory polyarthritis: prospective nested case-control study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2004 Jul;63(7):843-7. 2004. PMID:15194581.
• Wood, Rebecca. The Whole Foods Encyclopedia. New York, NY: Prentice-Hall Press; 1988. 1988. PMID:15220.