13 Best Papaya Remedies To Cure Acne

When dirt, dead skin cells, and other toxins clog pores, oil gets trapped beneath the skin, causing bacterial infections that result in acne breakouts on the face, neck, chest, and back. Acne is also triggered by hormonal imbalances, poor diet, poor hygiene, and other factors.

Treatments range from relatively benign over-the-counter creams and soaps to extreme prescription medications that cause intense side effects. But you don’t have to deal with any of those. Papaya is a natural, affordable, effective home acne remedy, and we’re about to tell you exactly how to use it. First, take a look at why it works.

Is Papaya Good for Acne?

• Papaya removes dead skin cells and excess lipids from the skin’s surface, leaving it soft and smooth.
• It is anti–inflammatory, so it reduces redness, swelling, and the formation of pus-filled breakouts.
• Papaya contains lycopene, which protects skin from the free radicals that cause acne.
• It also helps lighten acne scars.
• Papaya contains papain and chymopapain, two enzymes with anti–fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. They exfoliate to unclog pores, and they provide the proteins skin needs to fight the formation of acne.
• The beta-carotene in papaya triggers the generation of new, healthy skin cells, reducing the appearance of dark spots, scars, and other blemishes.
• Papaya contains vitamin B and C, which strengthen the immune system and discourage the production of excess oil.

How to Use Papaya to Treat Acne

Papaya can be used alone and in combination with other natural ingredients that keep skin healthy and clear. Try all the methods below until you find the one that’s right for you.

1. Papaya

• Put fresh papaya chunks in a blender on high until smooth.
• Wash face with water and pat dry.
• Apply papaya to skin and leave on 20 – 30 minutes or until dry.
• Rinse with warm water, pat dry, and apply natural moisturizer.
• Repeat daily.

2. Papaya with Honey

Raw honey moisturizes and softens skin while killing the bacteria that cause acne.

Process 1:

• In a blender, mix 4 papaya chunks with 2 teaspoons raw, organic honey until smooth.
• Apply to skin and leave on 30 – 45 minutes.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Repeat daily.
• Note: You can add 1 egg or few drops of papaya oil or half mashed apple for added benefits.

Process 2:

• Peel and chop 1/4 part of ripe papaya into pieces.
• Blend papaya and 1 tablespoon of honey and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice in it.
• Now take a steam to open skin pores and apply this as a face mask.
• Leave on 15 – 20 minutes.
• Rinse with lukewarm water followed by cold water to close the pores.
• Repeat once a week to get relief from the acne along with scars.

Process 3:

• Mix 2 tablespoons each of ripe papaya pulp and cocoa, 3 teaspoons of heavy cream, 2 teaspoons of honey and 3 teaspoons of minced oatmeal or oatmeal powder.
• Apply this mask on the clean face and leave for10 – 15 minutes.
• Wash with warm water and pat dry.
• Repeat regularly.

Process 4:

• Mix 1 tablespoon each of papaya pulp, ground oatmeal and honey in a bowl.
• Apply on the face and massage it gently for f3 minutes in circular motion.
• Leave on 15 – 20 minutes and wash it off with warm water and then cold water.
• Repeat regularly.

3. Papaya Juice

Raw papaya juice prevents the formation of pus, reduces pain and swelling.

• Crush or blend fresh unripe papaya chunks and strain them to extract juice.
• Apply to skin and leave on 15 – 20 minutes or until dry.
• Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Repeat daily.
• For added benefit, include fresh pineapple juice.

4. Papaya with Strawberries and Lemon Juice

Strawberry juice is a natural astringent that purifies pores, and lemon juice kills the bacteria that cause acne while bleaching away scars.

• In a blender, mix 6 fresh papaya chunks with 3 fresh strawberries and ½ teaspoon of fresh lemon juice until smooth.
• Wash face with water and pat dry.
• Apply papaya mixture to skin and leave on 20 – 25 minutes or until dry.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and then with cool water.
• Pat dry and repeat daily.

5. Grated Papaya with Vinegar

• Grate papaya and place it in glass jar.
• Fill the jar with vinegar and keep it aside for 3 days.
• Now mix papaya vinegar with water in 1:10 ratio.
• Use this as a skin cleanser to get rid of acne.

6. Papaya with Yogurt and Cream

Yogurt restores the balance of good and bad bacteria, while cream soothes the skin to reduce pain, itching, and redness.

• Put 2 papaya cubes in the blender on high until smooth.
• Add 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon of honey 1/2 tablespoon of milk cream (if you have dry skin) or 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice (if you have oily skin).
• Stir well and apply to clean skin and leave on 15-20 minutes.
• Rinse with water and pat dry.
• For added benefit, include ½ tablespoon oatmeal.
• Repeat twice a week.

7. Grated Papaya with Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar balances the skin’s pH level and the body’s acid—alkaline ratio.

• Mix 2 tablespoons of papaya powder, water and few drops of apple cider vinegar.
• Soak clean wash cloth in warm water and wring out excess water.
• Place the cloth on face and leave on for few minutes.
• Apply paste to skin and leave for 20 minutes or until dry.
• Rinse with water and pat dry.
• Note: You may experience a slight tingling or burning when applied on the skin but it go away after few minutes.
• You can apply carrier oil like jojoba or hemp or argan oil after rinsing with water.

8. Papaya Seeds Paste

• Put papaya seeds in blender on high until they turn into powder.
• Add small amounts of water and blend until you get a smooth paste.
• Wash face and apply papaya seed paste.
• Leave on 5 minutes or until dry.
• Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Repeat daily.

9. Papaya with Orange Juice

Orange juice is a natural astringent that controls oil production and purifies pores.

• In a blender, mix 4 papaya chunks with 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice.
• Wash face with water and pat dry.
• Apply papaya orange mixture to skin and leave on 15 – 20 minutes.
• Rinse with water and pat dry.
• Repeat daily.

10. Papaya with Sandalwood and Honey

Sandalwood exfoliates to remove toxins from pores.

• In a blender, mix a few ripe papaya pieces, 1 teaspoon each of sandalwood powder and honey.
• Apply to clean skin and leave on 10 minutes.
• Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Repeat 3 times a week.

11. Papaya with Clay and Aloe Vera

Clay detoxifies the pores and aloe vera moisturizes, hydrates, and nourishes the skin to prevent acne.

• Mix 2 teaspoons of cosmetic clay, 1 teaspoon of aloe vera, and 2 tablespoons of papaya pulp.
• Apply to clean skin and leave on 15 – 20 minutes.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry.
• Repeat 3 times a week.

12. Papaya Leaves

• Dry 4 fresh papaya leaves.
• Crush leaves to make a paste and mix with ½ teaspoon of water.
• Apply to clean skin and leave on 5 minutes or until dry.
• Rinse with cool water and pat dry.
• Repeat daily.

13. Papaya with Lemon Juice

• Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of mashed ripe papaya.
• Apply on the clean or dry skin.
• Leave on for 30 minutes to overnight, depends up on the severity of the problem.
• Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
• Apply some moisturizer.

Tips and Precautions

For best results, follow the advice below when using papaya to treat and prevent acne.

• Before starting regular treatments, do a patch test to find out if you are allergic to papaya.
• In addition to using papaya as a topical treatment, make sure you consume fresh papaya daily.
• Some healthy and beauty brands offer papaya soaps. If you choose to use one, make sure it is organic and made without chemicals or pesticides.
• You can also try using papaya extract in the above recipes.
• Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and stay hydrated.
• If these remedies yield no results after 2-8 weeks, consult your doctor.

Have you tried any of these methods for treating and preventing acne with papaya? Do you know of any we haven’t mentioned? Share your experience with us!

Image – Flickr 1, 2.