Easy-To-Make Papaya Face Mask for Glowing Skin

Treat yourself to a simple yet effective papaya face mask that brings out the best in your skin by naturally nourishing it with the goodness of papaya, honey, and lemon juice.

Christopher Columbus knew what he was talking about when he termed papaya as the ‘fruit of the angels’. The creamy butter-like texture, musky aroma, and delectably sweet taste, all contribute to the divinity of this fruit. But to stop at just that would be greatly underselling papaya’s true caliber.

Enriched with vitamin A, C, and E, boasting with potent antioxidant properties, papaya offers a number of promising beauty benefits for your skin.^[1]

The vitamin A found in papayas, also known as retinol, is one of the best natural agents to take years off your face and keep you look younger for longer.^[2][3] Being an amazing exfoliant, retinol helps remove dead skin cells and regenerate new ones, thereby smoothening out hyperpigmentation and fine lines.^[4]

Furthermore, as the years roll on, your skin tends to lose out on collagen and elastin, two primary proteins in maintaining the skin’s strength and elasticity. Give your skin the help it needs by including papaya in your beauty regimen.

Replete with Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, papaya helps promote collagen synthesis and thus counter skin sagging and wrinkles.^[5] Another skin-friendly nutrient that papaya is generously endowed with is vitamin E, which helps with retaining the skin’s moisture and fading of scars.^[6]

In short, vitamin A, C, and E along with the antioxidants inherent in papayas hydrate your skin, keeping it soft, as well as diminish the appearance of acne, blemishes, dark spots, and other similar problems. What’s more, these antioxidants work as free radical scavengers and protect the skin from oxidative stress.^[7]

Papayas also contain alpha hydroxy acids that naturally exfoliate and help maintain a youthful skin, thanks to their anti-aging properties.^[8] Another secret weapon in papaya’s arsenal is the enzyme papain. Papain is famed for its skin-lightening properties and anti-inflammatory effect to skin maladies, such as acne, rosacea, and eczema.

Together with the alpha hydroxy acids, papain engenders a regenerative effect on the skin by gently removing dead skin cells. Plus, pureed papaya has the perfect consistency to make a smooth paste that is easy to apply.^[9]

Honey serves as the ideal complementary aid to further enhance the skin-healing effects of papaya. Being a natural humectant, it helps retain moisture to keep your skin hydrated and glowing. It is also antimicrobial and fights off bacteria that cause acne. Honey helps slow down the aging process because it is full of beneficial antioxidants.^[10]

Binding the skin balm together is lemon juice, which is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that rejuvenate your skin. It promotes skin lightening, reduces excess oil, combats acne, and makes your skin soft and smooth.^[11][12]

All in all, this papaya face mask will hydrate your skin, improve your skin tone, and reduce wrinkles, blemishes, acne, age spots, and skin discoloration.

How to Make a Papaya Face Mask for Beautiful Skin

Things you will need:

• One-quarter of ripe Papaya
• Honey
• Lemon
• A bowl
• A knife
• A blender
• Measuring spoons

Steps

1. Chop one-quarter of a papaya into pieces.

2. Put the papaya pieces into a blender.

3. Add 1 tablespoon of honey.

4. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.

5. Blend the mixture until you get a fine paste.

Your homemade papaya face mask for glowing skin is ready to work its magic.

How to Use Your Papaya Face Mask for Glowing Skin

1. Cleanse your face and apply the paste on your face and neck.
2. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
4. Finally, splash cold water on your face to close the pores and to keep the goodness of the mask intact within your pores.

You can use this papaya face mask once a week to optimize its skin-rejuvenating effect.

Additional Tips

• Steam your face before applying this face mask to open up the pores.
• Use raw, organic honey rather than processed honey as the latter contains additives that may irritate your skin.
• Use a ripe to overripe papaya for this recipe so that it blends well. If the papaya is soft and mushy, you can simply mash it up using a fork instead of a blender.
• Papaya peels are also great for your skin. Simply rub the peels on your skin and wash it off after a few minutes.
• Also, eat the delicious sweet papaya fruit on a regular basis to obtain its various health and beauty benefits.

Resources:

1. Rajasekhar P. NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL VALUE OF PAPAYA (CARICA PAPAYA LINN.). WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319048781_NUTRITIONAL_AND_MEDICINAL_VALUE_OF_PAPAYA_CARICA_PAPAYA_LINN. Published August 2017.
2. Schagen SK, Zampeli VA, Makrantona Eki. Discovering the link between nutrition and skin aging. Dermatoendocrinology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583891/. Published July 1, 2012.
3. Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699641/. Published December 2006.
4. Lawson CN, Halder RM, Geria AN. Topical Retinoids for Pigmented Skin. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD. http://jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961611P0483X/1. Published May 2011.
5. Murad S, Grove D, Lindberg KA. Regulation of collagen synthesis by ascorbic acid. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC319462/. Published May 1981.
6. Keen MA, Hassan I. Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416/. Published 2016.
7. Traber MG, Stevens JF. Vitamins C and E: Beneficial effects from a mechanistic perspective. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156342/. Published May 25, 2011.
8. Moghimipour E. Hydroxy Acids, the Most Widely Used Anti-aging Agents. Jundishapur Journal of Natural Pharmaceutical Products. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3941867/. Published January 4, 2012.
9. Smith WP, Bishop M, Gillis G, Maibach H. Topical proteolytic enzymes affect epidermal and dermal properties. International journal of cosmetic science. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18489307. Published February 2007.
10. Burlando B, Cornara L. Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24305429. Published December 2013.
11. Smit N, Vicanova J, Pavel S. The Hunt for Natural Skin Whitening Agents. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2801997/. Published December 10, 2009.
12. Otang WM, Afolayan AJ. Antimicrobial and antioxidant efficacy of Citrus limon L. peel extracts used for skin diseases by Xhosa tribe of Amathole District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629915003610. Published September 5, 2015.