Many of us spend our days working so hard that we end up worried and stressed. It’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves, and with all the demands we have in life, sometimes it’s difficult to stay calm.
Maybe you take the time to work out and spend some time with your girlfriends, but you still deal with a hectic schedule, which may leave you stressed, dehydrated, and sleep-deprived.
I like to take a bit of time to pamper myself, calming my mind, defogging my brain, and improving my skin. While I love taking a long, hot bath, I also love to treat myself to a DIY facial. One of my favorite DIY masks is this papaya seed facial mask.
After you eat papayas, don’t throw away those papaya seeds. You can use them to pamper your skin. These seeds can be used for recipes, skincare products and more.
If you want to cook with them, they have a peppery flavor, which means they can be used a lot like you’d use peppercorns. You can also use them to make an easy, DIY face mask.
Papaya Skin Benefits
Papaya seeds and papaya fruit offer many great skincare benefits.
Papaya contains papain, which are special enzymes that can help exfoliate skin by breaking down the skin cells’ surface.
These enzymes also help to prevent wrinkles, reduce pore size, and moisturize skin.
Papaya also includes natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which contribute to smooth, plump, and brighten skin. Since papaya has a moderate amount of sodium, it’s perfect for hydrating your skin, and it will also help to improve suppleness and skin elasticity.
Keep in mind, when you make this mask, the alpha hydroxy acids and enzymes may make the mask burn just a bit. This is normal, but if the burning is unbearable, make sure you wash the mask off immediately.
You’ll Need:
- 1 tbsp ripe papaya
- 1-2 tbsp Papaya seeds
- ½-1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp raw honey (optional)
- 2 vitamin C capsules (powdered) (optional)
Be mindful that this recipe is enzyme rich and will burn a little! It’s the Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) munching dead skins cells.
- Blend the ingredients in the blender or food processor until broken down into a consistency of a rough sand (except for the coconut oil).
- Apply the mask to your face, neck and/or chest, and allow it to sit for 1- 10 minutes. The time will vary depending on how long you can stand the burning sensation.
- Rinse your skin with warm water and pat dry.
- Apply a cooling layer of coconut oil onto your face.
Adriana says
06/14/2018 at 10:06 amCan you save the mask for later and if so for how long?
mariazitah says
01/04/2016 at 8:17 pmSound fantastic. I try ur recipe. Thanks for the info. A very happy New Year to you.
safdar says
05/30/2015 at 12:56 pmI have red spot on my face last 6 to 7 yearse.g.Meals or sun bun .it use full .
Please reply on my email
Thanks in advance.
Sandhya says
04/17/2015 at 3:01 am@ Calleigh
heard that papaya causes pimples.. my skin is pimple prone… can i use papaya for my face
Calleigh says
04/17/2015 at 3:55 am@Sandhya,
Papaya does not cause breakouts. Papaya includes natural alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which help to smooth, plump, and brighten skin. Since papaya has a low amount of sodium, it’s great for hydrating your skin, and it will also help to improve suppleness and skin elasticity.
soni says
04/16/2015 at 10:25 pmCan I use almond oil instead of coconut
Calleigh says
04/17/2015 at 4:08 am@Soni,
You can use almond oil instead.
Sunita says
04/16/2015 at 7:49 pmhow often can we do this facial?
Calleigh says
04/17/2015 at 3:57 am@Sunita,
Twice a week is good.
pragna p shah says
01/07/2015 at 12:00 amI just want to know that v have to use dry papya seed or i can use fresh one. Is it good for dry n oily skin.
Calleigh says
01/07/2015 at 1:06 am@Pragna p shah,
Use the fresh papaya seeds and this is applicable for dry or oily skin.
Poonam a singh says
12/12/2014 at 9:47 amIts very useful home remedy
Gaying says
12/12/2014 at 12:55 amI mean Papaya leaves is good also for whitening your face:)
@Gaying,
Yes, papaya leaves are good for brightening your skin as well.
Gaying says
12/12/2014 at 12:54 amPapaya leaves is good also for whitening your face????
kalpanaa says
12/12/2014 at 12:49 amdid we make the mask in large quantity and it in refridgrator ????????
Calleigh says
12/12/2014 at 11:38 am@Kalpanaa,
Fresh is always better, so you don’t really need to make a large batch. The leftover can be stored in the fridge and use it within 3 days or at least within a week but discard if the mixture smells rancid.
anu sharma says
12/11/2014 at 9:58 pmCan I apply olive oil instead of coconut oil .plz reply
Calleigh says
12/12/2014 at 11:52 am@Anu Sharma,
You can use olive oil instead, this is to neutralize your skin due to stinging sensation of AHA acids from papaya seeds. But don’t apply too much otherwise, your skin will feel too oily.