When Christopher Columbus tasted papaya for the first time, he described it as “The fruit of the angels”. This delicious tropical fruit is rich in vitamin C, A, K, E, potassium, magnesium, carotene, niacin, fibers, proteins and one particular enzyme called papain which has many health benefits. Papaya also contains a lot of powerful antioxidants.
Although it’s extremely delicious and extremely beneficial for your health, papaya is also amazing for your skin and hair.
Here are the 6 beauty benefits you can get from papaya:
1. It Hydrates Your Skin
Papaya contains lots of water and that’s why it can help you have soft and moisturized skin. Prepare yourself a nice, homemade papaya mask that will hydrate your skin and make it look gorgeous.
- Blend ½ cup ripe papaya with some raw honey. Once you get a fine paste, apply it all over your face and neck. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.
2. It Brightens Your Skin Complexion
Papaya can help you brighten your skin complexion because it contains natural bleaching properties. The vitamin C found in papaya protects the skin cells from sun damage.
- Rub a thin slice of papaya on your face and neck. Let it dry and then wash it off with cold water. Repeat this 4 times a week.
- Mix ½ cup mashed papaya with juice of 1 lemon to make a mask. Mix the ingredients together and then massage them into your face and neck. Leave them on for 30 minutes and rinse with cold water. Do this once or twice a week.
3. Reduces Pimples and Acne
The enzyme papain, found in papaya can help you get rid of clogged pores and prevent the appearance of pimples and acne.
- Use your juicer to get natural, pure papaya juice. Use a cotton ball to apply the juice on your affected areas. Let the juice sit for 10 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. Do this once a day to eliminate acne and pimples.
- Rub a slice of papaya on the affected area. Leave it on for a couple of minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Do this once a day.
4. It Can Help You Heal Your Cracked Heels
Papaya can help in treating dry and cracked heels. Since it has moisturizing properties, it can help you have nice and smooth feet.
- Mash 1 cup of ripe papaya until it turns into paste. Apply the paste on your washed heels and let it sit for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, wash your feet with warm water and pat them dry. Once your feet are dried, apply some olive oil and put on cotton socks. Do this every night before going to bed and you’ll see amazing results.
5. It Can Help You Lighten Your Facial Hair
The enzyme papain found in raw papayas can help you weaken the hair follicles on your face and prevent re-growth. So if you want to get rid of the unwanted facial hairs, use raw papaya.
- Mix ½ cup raw papaya and ½ tsp. turmeric. Mix until you get a paste. Apply the paste on the affected areas and let it dry. Scrub the paste off and rinse with warm water. Do this procedure once a week.
6. It Nourishes Your Hair
Papaya is great for your hair because it contains many compounds that boost hair strength and hair growth. Not to mention, it can give your hair volume and shine.
- Make your own homemade, papaya hair mask. Put 1 cup of raw papaya, 1 ripe banana, some yogurt and 1 tbsp. coconut or olive oil in the blender and blend until you get a paste. Apply the mask on damp hair and then cover it with a shower cap. Keep the mask on for 30 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Use this incredible hair mask once a week to see the results.