Papaya is rich in essential nutrients that are not only good for your health, but super amazing for your skin. It contains high amounts of beta-carotene, powerful enzymes, and phytochemicals that work wonders on your skin. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which has skin-lightening properties, along with helping get rid of blemishes and acne scars. Also, papain and the other enzymes found in papaya act to successfully slow down signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles, by fighting free radicals.
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Papain, together with alpha hydroxyl acids (AHA), act as gentle exfoliator, which helps get rid of dead skin cells and dissolve inactive proteins. Papaya contains vitamin A, which helps heal dry and flaky skin, while lightening acne scars and dark spots. It also helps smooth out aging skin. Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant, helps boost collagen production, which helps keep your skin supple and elastic. Papain, the powerful enzyme, helps promote skin regeneration, and its anti-inflammatory properties heal acne, eczema, and rosacea. While gently exfoliating your skin, papain also helps lighten the skin tone. Potassium, found in papaya, helps hydrate and moisturize your dry skin.
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NOTE: Papaya face masks don’t suit people with sensitive skin, because the enzymes and alpha hydroxyl acids could possibly irritate their skin. To be on the safer side, use a test patch on the inner elbow, so that you know if the face mask suits your skin type or not.
Homemade papaya face mask recipes
Papaya is one of the most underrated fruit face masks, and it’s time we change that. Let’s take a look at some of the easy homemade papaya face mask recipes you can try.
1. Honey and papaya mask – for glowing skin
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Honey is rich in antioxidants, which when combined with the goodness of papaya, makes for an excellent face mask to bring out the natural glow of your skin. Also, honey is a natural humectant, which helps lock in the moisture to keep your skin hydrated and well moisturized.
Face mask
- Mash a longish piece of papaya with a fork, in a clean bowl, and add 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix well and apply it on all over your face and neck, leaving it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash it off with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.
2. Honey, lemon juice, and papaya mask – for skin lightening
Honey, lemon juice, and papaya, all contain anti-bacterial properties, that help get rid of acne-causing bacteria from your skin. Papaya also is amazing when it comes to deep cleansing, pushing out all the grime, dirt, and impurities from the clogged pores. Honey hydrates and softens your skin, while gently exfoliating your skin cells. It also helps fade blemishes and any other discolorations. Lemon juice is a natural astringent, which tightens pores, while also helping kill off any microbes or bacteria on your skin.
Face mask
- Mash with a fork, or blend in a food processor, a quarter of a ripe papaya, so that it doesn’t have any chunks or lumps. To this, add 1 tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of lemon juice, and mix well. Spread this mask evenly on your face and neck, leaving it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a clean towel.
3. Lemon juice and papaya mask – for lightening marks and spots
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Lemon juice possesses natural bleaching properties, which help lighten dark spots and acne scars on your face.
Face mask
- Take a largish piece of ripe papaya and mash it with a fork till it’s free of lumps or chunks. You can use a blender or a food processor, if you want. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice to this and mix well. Apply this paste on your face and neck, letting it sit for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water, and pat dry with a clean towel.
4. Pineapple and papaya mask – for fresh, smooth skin
Pineapple contains powerful enzymes that help get rid of wrinkles, age spots, and fine lines, while papaya helps moisturize dry skin, making it look smooth, soft, and supple. This mask helps gently exfoliate your skin, while also bleaching it. It’s a two-in-one face mask!
Face mask
- Take a quarter of a ripe papaya and half a cup worth of pineapple pieces. Blend them to form a purée, and make sure to strain it. This this, add 1 tablespoon of honey and mix well. Now, wash your face, neck, and upper chest with warm water. Using a cotton ball, apply this solution on your chest, neck, and face, leaving out the sensitive under-eye areas. Let the solution air dry for about 15 minutes, before rinsing it off tepid water. Pat dry and apply a natural moisturizer like coconut oil to seal in the moisture.
Pro tip: This mask may sting and/or itch once it starts to dry, but don’t panic. It’s quite normal; in fact, it’s an indication that the alpha hydroxyl acids are doing their job. So, do NOT scratch.
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5. Banana, cucumber, and papaya mask – for sunburned and inflamed skin
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Cucumber is a natural hydrating ingredient, which also nourishes, moisturizes, and cleanses your skin. Plus, it has skin lightening properties as well, helping fade acne scars, dark spots, and blemishes. Additionally, cucumber is wonderful in soothing inflamed acne and sunburn. Banana, on the other hand, helps smooth out and/or reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and helps promote glowing, younger-looking skin.
Face mask
- In a blender, put a quarter of a ripe papaya, a quarter of a fresh cucumber, and half a ripe banana. Blend till you get a smooth purée. Spread this runny paste on your face and neck, leaving out the sensitive under-eye areas. Leave it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
6. Tomato and papaya mask – for acne scars and marks
Tomato contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant in itself, which helps treat acne scars and marks effectively. Papaya helps lighten these scars significantly.
Face mask
- Mash a few pieces of ripe papaya in a clean bowl, using a fork, so that there are no lumps or chunks. To this, add 1 tablespoon of tomato pulp and mix well to form a runny paste. Spread this evenly on your face and neck, letting it sit for 15 minutes. Wash it off with cool water.
7. Egg white and papaya mask – for oily skin
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Egg white and papaya are both known to help tighten pores, while also helping control sebum, or natural oil on your skin. Egg whites help remove excess oil from your skin, while also helping prevent acne and pimples. Plus, its skin tightening properties give your skin a firm and youthful look.
Face mask
- Take a few pieces of ripe papaya and blend them into a smooth purée. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 egg white till it turns frothy. Mix the two well to form a runny paste. Spread this all over your face and neck, letting it dry for 15 minutes. Wash it off with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.
Pro tip: If you have dry skin, try the same mask with egg yolks, instead of egg whites.
8. Yogurt, rice powder, and papaya mask – for skin rejuvenation
Yogurt helps provide deep nourishment for your skin, while rice powder gently exfoliates your skin to remove all the dirt, grime, and other impurities.
Face mask
- Mash one third cup of ripe papaya using a fork, so that it is lump-free. To this, add a quarter cup of warmed honey, and 3 teaspoons each of plain organic yogurt and rice powder. Mix all the ingredients together to form a paste. Spread this evenly on your face and neck, and let it sit for 20 minutes. Wash it off using tepid water and pat dry with a soft towel.
9. Fuller’s Earth and papaya mask – for acne- and pimple-prone skin
Fuller’s Earth is amazing in absorbing excess oil from your skin, and papaya makes sure that your skin is soft, smooth, and free of spots and marks.
Face mask
- Mash a few pieces of ripe papaya using a fork, and make sure that it is free of lumps and chunks. To this, add 1 tablespoon of Fuller’s Earth and mix well. Add a few drops of water if needed, to make a smooth paste. Apply this paste on your face and neck, leaving it on for 20 minutes, before washing it off with lukewarm water.
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10. Avocado and papaya mask – for glowing skin
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Avocado helps hydrate your skin, while papaya helps infuse it with natural glow.
Face mask
- Mash or blend a quarter cup worth of ripe avocado and papaya, to form a smooth paste. Spread this paste evenly all over your face and neck. Let it sit for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
These are the only homemade papaya face mask recipes your skin needs. After trying these amazing face masks, you will never look back! If we’ve missed any other papaya-based face masks, let us know in the comments section below!
Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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