What is Papaya oil? The superfood exfoliator you should be using in your skincare

Exfoliators that are gentle on the skin and don’t contain hundreds of plastic microbeads (that inevitably end up in our oceans) are hard to come by. Finding a balance between removing impurities from your skin and scrubbing your face with harsh products is something many of us struggle with…until now. The answer to your exfoliating prayers is papaya oil. Extracted from the seed of papaya fruit, this product is completely natural, packed with helpful enzymes that gently exfoliate the skin and definitely doesn’t end up polluting our precious seas.

Papain is the magical enzyme that naturally occurs in this oil. Enzymes are simply catalysts that increase reaction rates, but in skincare terms, they make the perfect exfoliants. By removing dead skin cells and excess sebum in facial pores, papain promotes a clear, brighter and more radiant complexion. The enzyme also has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which means it can help to reduce acne and other skin irritations. It is believed that papain can combat many skin issues such as breaking down keratin bumps and improving scarring.

Papaya oil is full of vitamin C, which helps to fight the signs of free radical damage, for example wrinkles and dark spots. The papain enzyme improves pigmentation too, evening out skin tone and contributing to a glowing complexion. Also packed with vitamin A that stimulates skin cell turnover, papaya oil leaves your skin feeling smoother and more hydrated.

Papaya oil is great for all skin types, particularly dry and sensitive skin, as it has moisturising and calming properties. Similarly, as the oil is a natural product, it is very gentle and will never strip your skin of moisture. If you’re worried about using oils on your already oily skin, then take a look at our previous post where we bust some oily skin myths here.

As papaya oil is easily absorbed into the skin, we think it is the perfect addition to our new cleansing oil, which is designed to efficiently remove make up (insert link to new oil). Cleansers can often be very drying on the skin, which is another reason why papaya oil works so well as it moisturises whilst breaking down the daily build-up of impurities. Papaya oil is the hero ingredient in our cleansing oil and we’re sure that you’ll be impressed with the results!

You can purchase papaya seed oil online and from health stores – perfect if you want to create at home-made facemask! Simply mix with other natural superfoods such as turmeric or manuka honey for a relaxing, detoxifying face mask. Or mix with pure coconut oil to make a DIY hair mask that will nourish and strengthen your hair.

Exfoliation is an important step in any beauty routine, but often one that is over-looked due to the harsh products on the market that are just not suitable for many skin types. Papaya oil is a complete game changer in skin care! A natural, gentle product that provides instant, visible results whilst leaving your skin happy and healthy - there is simply no ingredient like it.