Papaya, with its soft butter-like consistency and rich source of nutrients, is not only good for your health; it has several constituents that are excellent for your skin and hair. This tropical fruit is high in vitamin A, C, E and K and powerful antioxidant properties. It also contains potassium, magnesium, carotene, niacin, fiber, protein and an enzyme known as papain that can benefit your skin and hair in many ways like skin whitening, exfoliating dead skin, reducing unwanted hair, repairing aging skin, bring life to your dull damaged hair and many more. The enzyme papain is found in highest concentration under the peel of an unripe papaya. So not just pulp, its skin has amazing beauty benefits. Incorporating papaya in your skin and hair care regimen can help you get following benefits:
10 Benefits Of Papaya For Skin And Hair:
1. Papaya For Skin Brightening
One of the most effective benefits of papaya is its skin lightening action. It acts as an excellent natural bleaching agent. The enzyme papain brightens skin complexion along with lightening dark spots and other impurities. Vitamin C contained in Papaya protects the skin from sun damage.
For brightening the skin you can just rub ripe papaya pulp on your face, neck and other parts of the skin. Once dried, wash off with cold water. Repeat the process 3-4 times a week to get fresh glowing skin. You can also prepare a face pack adding papaya pulp, honey and lemon juice to brighten your skin and lighten the dark spots.
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2. Papaya For Moisturizing Dry Skin
The high water content of papaya can provide hydration and nutrition to the skin removing all the traces of dry, flaky skin. A papaya mask made from papaya pulp adding little honey can help to keep your skin smooth, soft and moisturized.
3. Clears Acne, Pimples And Scars
Beta-carotene, phytochemicals and enzymes contained in papaya promotes excellent cleansing properties. Papaya juice can vanquish pimples and acne and can also lighten the scars that acne and blemishes lefts on your skin. Apply papaya juice on the affected areas with cotton ball and leave it on your skin for 10-15 minutes. Regular application will help to reduce occurrence of acne and eliminate skin pigmentation. Also flush out the toxins from your system by eating papaya slices regularly and get acne free, soft glowing skin.
4. Papaya For Exfoliating Dead Skin
Exfoliating the dead skin cells the enzyme papain contains in papaya can provide and even toned skin. This may be the reason many scrubs available in the market contains papaya as one of the basic ingredients. Papaya also has beta-carotene and phytochemicals along with enzyme papain and alpha-hydroxyl acids works as excellent skin exfoliator to remove dead skin cells, unclog the pores and provides soft glowing skin.
To exfoliate dead skin cells extract juice from few raw papaya pieces and apply on your skin using cotton ball. Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. Repeat the process 3-4 times a week to get clear, soft and smooth skin. Also include raw and ripe papaya in your diet.
5. Papaya For Wrinkle-Free Skin
Papaya peel can be great remedy for reversing the signs of ageing. The papaya peel contains enzyme papain in significant amount which reduce wrinkles, crow’s feet around the eyes and age spots by modifying the collagen and restoring skins elasticity. The enzyme papain also has excellent healing properties which can sooth sensitive skin also.
To eliminate wrinkles and age spots rub papaya peel all over you facial skin and neck and wash off with cold water after 10-15 minutes. Repeat the process 2-3 times a week to get impressive result.
6. Lightens Unwanted Facial Hair
A papaya face can help to get rid of unwanted facial hair naturally without using chemical laden bleaching agents, wax etc. the enzyme papain can help to weaken the hair follicles and stop regrowth when used on regular basis.
To get rid of these unsightly facial hair add ½ tsp. of turmeric powder in half cup of raw papaya juice. Leave the pack on your skin until it dries completely and wash off using lukewarm warm scrubbing gently. Repeating this process once a week will stop the regrowth of hair.
7. Heals Skin Diseases
The amazing healing power of papaya can bring relief from intense itching and redness associated with eczema and psoriasis. The enzyme papain also helps to keep bacteria at bay and avoid infection. Rubbing the flesh of raw papaya on cuts and burns and skin ailments can sooth the area and bring relief.
8. Stimulates Hair Growth
Not just skin, papaya is excellent for getting healthy shiny hair. Papaya is high in folic acid and several other minerals, vitamins and enzymes that stimulate circulation to the hair follicles and boost hair growth by adding thickness, volume and shine. Regular use can even control baldness.
Make a papaya hair mask by adding 1cup of ripe papaya and 1cup of yogurt. Add 1tbsp. of olive oil to the mask and apply the mask all over your damp hair. Allow the mask to work for 20-25 minutes by covering your hair with a shower cap. Rinse off using lukewarm water. Repeat the process once a week to get healthy, shiny hair.
9. Controls Dandruff
One of the primary causes of dandruff is fungal infection. The anti-fungal properties of papaya seeds is an excellent remedy for getting relief from dandruff.
To get rid of dandruff, blend papaya pulp with seeds intact. Massage the pack on the scalp and hair thoroughly and allow it to work for 30-40 minutes leaving it on the hair. Wash your hair as usual.
10. Conditions Hair
The high vitamin A content of papaya can restore shine to your dull and lifeless hair by accelerating sebum production-body’s natural oil that keeps hair conditioned.
To condition your hair and restore its shine, blend ½ cup ripe papaya pulp and ½ cup yogurt. Apply the paste in your hair and scalp thoroughly. Leave it on for an hour and wash off using a mild shampoo.
If your skin is too sensitive apply a patch test before using papaya packs on your skin and hair. The alpha-hydroxyl acids and enzymes may irritate your skin.