Is Papaya Good For Your Skin?: Why Papaya is About to Be Your Favorite Go To Skincare Remedy

The smell of papaya reminds me of being a little girl in the streets of Puerto Rico, following my dad around as we visited family members across the island. A freshly cut papaya instantly brings me back to my mind’s eye at 3 years old, peeking down urban jungle alleys where the cement smelled earthy from a quickly passing tropical storm. I never did like the taste of papaya, but the smell was nostalgic. Flashforward 30 years later and here I am living on la isla del encanto, with neighbors who grow papaya, and alleys up and down my block. Nowadays, I do love a ripe papaya, not only for the taste, but for the amazing skincare benefits I recently discovered in them. 

Is papaya good for your skin? Absolutely! Think of how beautiful, radiant, and glowy a native islander’s skin is. Years of ancestry eating antioxidant and vitamin rich fruits like papaya, pineapple, coconut, mango and more contribute to this vibrance. Not only can one benefit from ingesting these fruits, but applying papaya directly on the skin as a mask is highly brightening, tightening, firming, and smoothing. Side note: eating papaya does wonders for heartburn during pregnancy. 

Many skincare products include papaya enzymes as a main ingredient, but its benefits can be found through direct application of the fruit! Papaya works as an amazing skincare ingredient because of the alpha hydroxy acids present- specifically citric and malic acid, which help break down bonds between dead skin cells and the surface of the skin, acting as a gentle chemical exfoliant. These AHAs also promote skin cell turnover which helps fade hyperpigmentation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improving overall texture. Additionally, they attract water molecules to the skin, improving hydration. Regular use of papaya can promote collagen production, which is a bonus for skin firmness and elasticity. Papain, an enzyme found in papaya, also works in conjunction with these acids to increase all the benefits mentioned. This enzyme also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can be helpful for those dealing with acne and eczema issues. This enzyme also accelerates wound healing, making papaya useful for scarring. The beta-carotene in papaya, which exists in a lot of orange fruits and vegetables, also helps protect your skin against harmful UV rays. Does it not sound too good to be true?!

So by now you may be wondering how to use papaya for your skin, besides eating lots of it, to reap the benefits. It’s so simple. Find a very ripe papaya, as the chemical composition of a green one will differ from a yellow/orange one. The more orange the better. Cut a piece of the papaya, removing the skin. Mash the papaya flesh into a pulp. Rub the pulp all over your face and lips, leaving it on for ten minutes. After ten minutes, rinse it off with cool water. Because it is also moisturizing, you don’t need to do anything else here, you can simply go on about your day. You will notice the difference in your skin immediately! Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. This can be used daily, as well as for all skin types- oily, dry, sensitive, or combination. I promise this will be your new favorite face mask. You can also apply this to your hands and feet as a mask! 

Watch me make this mask via IG live here, and join us every 4th Saturday of the month at 11am AT via IG live to make natural beauty recipes together.

Sources: 

Chuwa, C., & Dhiman, A. K. (2022). Ripe Papaya: Nutrition and Health Benefits. Emerging Challenges in Agriculture and Food Science, 6, 56-64.

Hudson, T. (2007). Common complaints and disorders of pregnancy. Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative Medicine, (291), 80+. 

Breedlove, G. (2006). Home Spa (p. 86). Hinkler Books Pty Ltd.