Can Papaya Cure Acne?

Papaya is an exotic fruit native to Central America and Southern Mexico. Papaya has become somewhat trendy and is often used as a flavor for candy and a smoothie ingredient, but papaya isn't as trendy in the health market. However, papaya has many health benefits, including reported benefits on reducing and preventing acne.

What is Special About Papaya?

Papaya is a plant that looks a lot like a tree but with a much shorter lifespan. The papaya plant is actually a herbal plant with hollow purple or green stems. The plant grows incredibly quickly, reaching up to 12 feet within a year. papaya can weight up to 10 pounds, but we usually see the smaller varieties sold in grocery stores.

The papaya plant has a lifespan of about four or five years. Papaya most closely resembles a cantaloupe melon with a slightly spicier flavor when ripe. When it isn't ripe, papaya has a mealy and lacks flavor. Nutrients in Papaya The papaya has a surprising number of nutrients that make it ideal not only for preventing acne but also just as a general health boost. 

How Papaya Fights Acne

Papaya fights acne both inside the body and outside the body. Papaya contains antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, and chitinases enzymes which all work together to promote healthy cell turnover and eliminate acne. The enzymes in papaya are particularly effective at reducing acne breakouts when used topically because they exfoliate without causing damage or trauma to the face like many over-the-counter acne scrubs. This makes papaya an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive skin.

Vitamin A and C are both used by the skin to produces healthy, glowing skin. Vitamin A is commonly added to prescription acne treatments because it is so effective at reducing breakouts and controlling the balance of oils on the face.

How to Use Papaya to Cure Acne

There are three basic ways to use papaya to clear acne.

Papaya Powder Mask

Papaya powder is the most economical and easy-to-use method for reducing acne. Mix the powder with a little bit of water to make a paste and apply it over the skin. Let the mask sit for about 30 minutes and wash off with warm water. Use this mask about once a week.

Raw Papaya Mask

Use the raw papaya mask if you cannot get any papaya powder. The enzymes in raw papaya will also be more active, possibly making this mask more effective. However, if you are allergic to the enzymes, your skin might turn red, peel, or itch after applying raw papaya. If you notice any of these symptoms, wash your mask off right away. Mash the papaya and apply it to your face directly. Leave for half an hour and rinse with warm water. Repeat application once a week.

Eating Papaya

Because papaya contains so many ingredients beneficial for the skin, eating papaya regularly can help improve your skin's appearance. Whenever you can find papaya at the grocery store, pick it up and eat it, add it to fruit salad, or put it in a smoothie.

Tips for Selecting Ripe Papayas

Papayas are ripe when they are bright yellow and the flesh is soft. Most papayas are sold under-ripe in the store, but you can leave it out on your counter for three days and it will continue to ripen.

Other Health Benefits of Papaya

Papaya also has other health benefits beyond reducing acne breakouts. Eating papaya regularly may help the following health conditions:

Improves Memory

The high vitamin content in papaya is also good for the memory. According to a study from Oregon State University, high levels of vitamin C in the diet can delay, slow, and even reverse the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Reduces Arthritis Pain

Papaya contains the anti-inflammatory agents papain and chymopapain. This reduces total body inflammation and can reduce the pain of arthritis. Vitamin C also reduces inflammation.

Prevents DNA Damage

The high level of antioxidants in papaya helps lower the risk of DNA damage which can reduce the appearance of aging and reduce cancer risk.

Improves Digestion

Papaya contains the enzyme papain, which breaks down protein faster. Papaya is traditionally used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. Papaya also has a high fiber content, which is also important for healthy digestion.

Papaya Can't Work Alone

If you add papaya to your diet and apply a papaya mask, your acne symptoms might improve some, but it is unlikely your acne will be completely eliminated. Acne is a problem that often has multiple causes, including diet, overall health, genetics, and hormone fluctuations. Unless you address all root causes of your acne, you will likely still suffer from frequent to occasional breakouts. For best results when using papaya to clear acne, add the following additional steps to your treatment regime:

Eat Healthily

A healthy diet is a basis for any natural acne treatment. Eliminate junk food, avoid dairy, and eat plenty of vegetables and fruits high in vitamin C and vitamin A. Sugar, gluten, and processed oils have all been linked to increases in acne breakouts. If you know a certain food will cause breakouts, avoid it as much as possible. In general, follow a basic healthy diet and your breakouts should dwindle.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise stimulates your blood and helps nutrients reach every part of your body. Regular exercise may not directly affect how many pimples you have, but it will increase your overall health and reduce stress, both of which can reduce breakouts.

Eliminate Stress

Stress is a huge acne trigger for many. As much as possible, eliminate excess stress from your life. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night and spend conscious time each day relaxing and detoxing from stress. Something as simple as listening to relaxing music or taking a hot bath can help.

Supplement to Reduce Breakouts

If you have genetic acne, you will probably need a bit of extra help beyond a healthy diet to completely clear your acne. The truth is that some skin simply breaks out more easily and with no discernible reason. If you have tried everything to reduce your breakouts without seeing results, you may need additional supplements.

Selenium

Selenium is an important trace mineral that has huge benefits on health. Without selenium, your body suffers. The main benefit selenium provides is the creation of an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which is an antioxidant. This antioxidant fights aging, inflammation, cell damage, and acne. Studies have shown that individuals with acne typically have low levels of selenium.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is another powerful antioxidant that fights acne and improves the appearance of skin. Your skin uses vitamin E to keep the correct balance of oils, fight wrinkles, and produce collagen.

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that many people are deficient in. However, studies in patients with acne show that individuals who have acne are usually far lower in zinc than individuals who do not have acne. When zinc levels are increased, acne breakouts usually decrease.

Gum Guggul

Gum guggual is an herb particularly effective at treating cystic acne, which most other acne treatments have trouble treating. According to data collected by The University of Michigan, several studies have found gum guggul supplements to be just as effective as antibiotics in treating cystic acne.

Methylsulfonyl Methane

MSM is an unusual supplement, but it has numerous benefits in the fight against acne. The properties in MSM soften the skin, clear pores, prevent the build-up of toxins and skin cells, help the skin flow, and control keratin production (which is linked with acne breakouts).

A Papaya Combo Treatment will Reduce Acne

Papaya is high in the very nutrients that reduce acne breakouts. However, papaya is not enough to cure acne on its own. The best way to cure acne naturally is to approach the problem from every root cause, including diet, nutritional deficiencies, stress, exercise, and herbal supplements. A multi-step approach will be more effective than skipping from treatment to treatment. As a bonus, the papaya and supplement route will not irritate sensitive skin like many topical acne treatments.