Over sixty million Americans today have the skin condition known as acne. Acne is a non-contagious skin and inflammatory disease that affects the pores covering the face, chest, arms and back along with the oil glands attached to them. Too much oil, known as sebum, is produced by the sebaceous gland and causes a course and greasy complexion. When the pores holding our hairs get blocked by oil and dead skin cells, eruptions called acne pimples are formed.

An effective ingredient in skin care is papaya (Carica papaya, also known as powpow) because it exfoliates damaged and dead skin cells. Exfoliating the skin removes the cells that cause clogged pores that can result in skin eruptions. The fruit, seeds, skin and leaves of the papaya are all rich in essential enzymes that give this fruit outstanding topical medicinal properties for the treatment of skin conditions. Studies done in the West Indian Medical Journal confirm the healing abilities of papaya and its capability to rejuvenate and repair the skin.

Different parts of the fruit contain various essential enzymes that act similarly to restorative and preventative medicines. The leaves of the papaya contain alkalide capain, the seeds have cericin and the fruit itself has a protein dissolving enzyme called papain.

The most research has been done about the enzyme papain, which has been proven to whiten and soften the skin, and has been effectively used to heal wounds and insect stings. The juice of raw papaya has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of swollen acne pimples and prevents pus formation. Papain has also been shown to be helpful in removing brown spots due to sun exposure, lowering inflammation, alleviating edemas and even improving healing from burns. Further, because papain enzymes are quite effective in dissolving fats to purge the skin and make it feel softer, they are a viable ingredient in many beauty products today. Removing lipids from the surface of the skin prevents clogged pores and the subsequent development of pimples.

Papaya is not just a tasty tropical fruit. The leaves, seeds, skin and fruit the papaya contain essential enzymes that can restore and rejuvenate the skin naturally so that you look and feel great.