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Papaya Extract

Many people say they don’t understand how a natural ingredient can effectively protect, heal and replenish the skin in the same way a chemical or manmade product or ingredient can.  A very simple way to look at it is that the natural ingredients we use were here, in most cases, before man. Modern scientists are simply ‘copying’ the properties of these naturally occurring plants and fruits using manmade chemicals to create a synthetic product.

There absolutely is a time and a place for this type of research and I would never suggest that you put Lavender on a broken arm – I would tell you to visit the Emergency Room STAT!  However, when we are talking about putting something on your skin daily and in some cases more than once a day, we should really be looking for the most natural way to do this to ensure we don’t overload our bodies with chemicals that, quite frankly, aren’t necessary.

We have decided to dedicate one blog per month to one of our extraordinary raw ingredients so you can see for yourself the ‘science’ behind all of these natural wonders.

As we chatted about exfoliation last week – let’s chat a bit more about a fruit that excels in helping our bodies to renew naturally.

Paw Paw OR Papaya

We mentioned paw paw a little last week and I wanted to chat a bit more about it as it really is full to the brim with amazing skin properties and can help you from the inside out in so many ways. We use the certified organic extract of pawpaw or papaya in our Be Smooth Face Polish and here are just some of the reasons we choose this extraordinary ingredient:

  • Many chefs and recipe books suggest eating paw paw with meat to aid digestion – the reason for this is that paw paw contains a digestive enzyme called papain that breaks down the protein.  If you know a little about the skin, you will have already worked out why this is great news. If not, let me tell you that our skin is made up of 25 per cent protein in the form of keratin.  The word keratin might be familiar, especially regarding our hair and hair products. Paw paw, which is becoming more popular and is readily available in local markets, can be used by just about everybody as a natural exfoliant.
  • The papain enzyme helps to dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of the skin without destroying the living ones. This means that the risk of over-exfoliating and taking the cells to the Hayflick limit is removed. The Hayflick limit is where a cell has divided to its maximum capacity and is no longer capable of renewing, making it lifeless and dull.
  • We mentioned last week that AHAs work on dissolving the ‘cement’ that holds the cells together whereas paw paw seems to work on the actual dead cells as well. This is so much safer and user friendly especially for sensitive skin or skin that becomes flaky easily. It is much less likely to sting or burn like most AHAs can – I could almost say WON’T sting or burn as it is that rare when it does, but, being someone with sensitive skin I personally understand what it is like and would prefer that you always use anything new cautiously and sparingly until you gauge your skin’s reaction.
  • We told you last week about using paw paw peel on your face as a way of naturally exfoliating – the reason for this is that the papain enzyme is at its most potent closest to the peel so you will get the best results using that part of the fruit.
  • Like all fruits, eating pawpaw provides antioxidants to protect you from free radical damage.  Paw paw especially has superior antioxidant qualities because it is so rich in beta-carotene.  This is what gives it that gorgeous yellow-orange colour.  Beta carotene is a well researched, free radical scavenger and also the precursor to Vitamin A which is essential for great skin.  More on Vitamin A later.
  • Paw paw also contains lycopene. Lycopene is found in all red, orange and yellow fruits. There are about 600 members in the carotenoid group and all have high antioxidative properties.  They are required by our bodies for normal growth and the development of cells. When we have them in our diet, they are basically preventing the signs of ageing from the inside out!  Lycopene can also change the colour of your skin giving it the appearance of a tan safely.  That alone is a great reason to start eating this delicious fruit as far as I am concerned.
  • With three times the Vitamin C of an apple, twice as much as a banana and one third as much as an orange we could probably stop there but let me also tell you that paw paw also contains magnesium, iron, copper and manganese along with potassium and significant amounts of riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorous and zinc.  The protein of paw paw contains all of the essential amino acids required in a balanced diet.
  • Tasty tip… paw paw also tastes really great with shredded coconut that is another of nature’s super foods, so mix the two and toss on some toasted almonds for an even better magnesium boost and enjoy a delicious vitamin-rich snack!

Until next time…

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