Papaya is Your Skin's Best Friend!

Yes, it is more than just an exotic taste sensation. This yummy, drippy goodness is your skin's best friend--or at least it should be! Papaya fruit is native to the tropics of the Americas and the ripe fruit can be eaten plain while unripe fruit is delicious cooked for use in salads and curries. Super rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, carotenes and flavonoids, this fruit is a veritable anti-aging treat!

Papaya is also beneficial to skin care and repair and is an effective and nonabrasive exfoliant. The green papaya contains an enzyme called papain that helps to remove impurities and dead skin cells. You'll find papaya extract in Skin's Fruity Face facial scrub, giving the scrub a boost of effectiveness like a mini, all-natural facial peel. Or make your own facial treatment in your kitchen. Mashed papaya flesh makes a great facial mask or the inside of the papaya skin can be applied directly to the skin.

Papaya is excellent in helping to reduce the signs of premature aging. Regular use can even help to fade acne marks and sun damage. Said to speed up the healing process, papaya is also used in the treatment of cuts, rashes, stings and burns. The active ingredient, papain, is found in the leaf as well as the fruit. Papaya leaf extract is sometimes referred to as the "biological scalpal" for its ability to attack dead skin cells and leave alone the living ones. No need to restrict its wonderful skin benefits to the face. Alaffia's Mango Citrus body lotion's main ingredient is papaya leaf, making it perfect for eliminating dry, scaly skin cells. Coupled with red palm oil rich in vitamin A, this lotion is perfect for revealing soft, fresh skin.

Try out this yummy sorbet recipe!

Papaya Sorbet
Papaya sorbet is wonderful served as a standalone dessert or team it up with other scoops of fruity sorbet. It is nice served with slices of fresh fruit, especially with fresh papaya slice.

2 papayas
3 tablespoons lime juice, fresh squeezed
2 tablespoons agave

Wash the papayas and cut both in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds, peel the skin with a vegetable peeler and cut into small chunks.
To make in an ice cream machine: place all ingredients in a food processor and process until well combined. Pour the mixture into an ice cream machine and follow manufacturers instructions.
To make without an ice cream machine: place the small chunks for fresh papaya on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer until frozen. Place the frozen papaya chunks in a food processor, add the fresh lime juice and agave, and process until smooth and creamy. Place the papaya mixture in a freeze friendly container with lid and freeze for about 2-3 hours before serving.
Makes about 4-8 servings, depending on the size of the scoop. (courtesy of Raw Epicurean)