What Is Papaya Soap?

Papaya soap is homemade or manufactured soap that contains one of three ingredients: papaya extract, papaya juice, or papaya pulp. Some recipes combine all three of these ingredients to super-infuse the soap with papaya essence. In addition to giving the soap a typically pleasing orange color and a bright, fruity scent, papaya purportedly contains a number of benefits for the skin. Those interested in papaya soap may choose from a wide array of types, from those manufactured for purchase to those created at home.

Vitamins C and A are highly concentrated in most papaya fruits, along with beta carotene and an enzyme called papain. The vitamins in papaya are often nourishing for the skin, especially for those with blemishes and scars. The antioxidants in these vitamins purportedly helps wash away dead and dry skin cells very quickly, promoting the growth of new, healthy skin. This quick turnover of skin growth typically helps fade scars, heal blemishes, and helps scabbed-over wounds become soft and pliable again more quickly.

The enzyme papain helps the vitamins in the papaya soap do their work, in addition to performing several functions of its own. Papain reportedly helps keep skin soft, pliable, and new-looking, making it a popular additive to facial soaps. Its exfoliating properties promote smooth skin and may help remove uneven coloring and dark spots over time. Some manufacturers advertise very fast spot correction with papaya soap, but papaya alone will not usually remove spots quickly. Several months of using the soap may show results in this area.

When it comes to choosing a papaya soap, consumers generally have dozens of choices. Bar soap, liquid soap, and facial cleansers are just a few options. Still more versions of this product include exfoliating beads and are designed specifically to soften hands and feet. A few soaps also combine papaya with other tropical fruits, like pineapple and lemon, to help further cleanse the skin and pores. Those with food allergies should read labels closely to make sure they won’t have an adverse reaction to their chosen soap.

Some consumers prefer to make their own papaya soap at home, giving them complete control over what goes into the recipe. The first, and possibly simplest, option involves purchasing unscented, additive-free liquid soap and adding a few spoonfuls of papaya juice or extract to it. Those using juice should refrigerate their soap. Another option involves adding extract to one’s favorite brand of body wash or facial cleanser. The last possibility for making papaya soap involves making it from scratch, either with lye and oils, or with melt-and-pour glycerin soap base mixes.