beauty cosmopolite

Why I Wouldn't Use an $850 Skin Cream

Is some skin care worth its weight in gold?

Hi all! A while back, a luxury retailer very kindly sent me a new night cream that was about to make its debut on the marketplace to the tune of $850. Yes, you did read that price right, and no, I didn't forget a decimal point!

I checked out the ingredients on this (famous brand-name) product and decided it wasn't something I was willing to test out (I really do practice what I preach!) So... I had some friends test it out instead. :) I gave fair warning about my concerns, but no matter, they were all eager to give the cream a go and see if it lived up to its pretty fantastic claims!

Before I get to their results, here are my thoughts on the ingredients. First, I don't have anything against luxurious ingredients that can truly help improve skin. In fact, some of my personal favourites can be pricey -- a reflection of the rarity and challenge of obtaining the ingredients. Examples of these include certain plant extracts and essential oils -- and there were costly botanical extracts and oils in this skin cream.

The problem was that, in my opinion, the value of these special, active ingredients was negated by the "dead" and potentially toxic synthetic ingredients -- including several synthetic preservatives with known concerns. The product also -- unbelievably for its price point -- contained mineral oil, a very cheap synthetic emollient that actually dries out the skin in the long run! Frankly, what the price truly reflected was sky-high marketing and packaging costs.

So, how did my friends feel about the cream? It was a generous size, so I divided it amongst three women of different ages, skin types and even ethnic backgrounds. They agreed to use the cream every night on one side of their face and practice their usual skin care on the other, without revealing to anyone which side was the "expensive" one. (And that's about as far as my "science experiments" go!) For each person, the cream lasted about two months, which was ideal, as the company said full results would visibly show in that time. Here are the anecdotal results.

L. - Throughout her test period, L. asked friends and family to see if they could detect any difference between each side of her face -- none could. Just as she was nearing completion, L. saw her dermatologist. Her derm, intrigued by the experiment, tried to guess which side of her face she was using the cream on -- and couldn't. The office esthetician was brought in; she examined L.'s skin carefully under bright lights, and admitted she couldn't see a significant difference, but thought there was perhaps a marginal improvement on the test-cream side. Both the dermatologist and esthetician advised her that this possible improvement didn't warrant the price of the product -- and then, not surprisingly, tried to sell her a cream for $100 they said would do at least as good or better a job. L. declined -- I think she was through with "miracle-creams"! ;)

V. - V. is a skin-care aficionado, and kept close watch for changes, but couldn't detect any herself. Towards the end of her experiment, five women, including myself, checked out V.'s face to guess which side she had been using the cream on. We looked carefully under different lights, and all of us unanimously chose the same side of her face. Ironically, we didn't choose the test-cream side -- we all thought the other side looked plumper and smoother! 

S. - I didn't get a chance to check out S.'s face personally, as she was out of country. However, she diligently reported back to me every week with the same, boring results: "no change, no change". In fact, she told me she actually preferred her much less expensive product in terms of feel and effectiveness.

So, the point of this story isn't that pricey skin care doesn't work. But that you want to choose skin care that contains potent, active, and "alive" ingredients, without potential toxins and irritants that can negate their benefits -- like synthetic emollients, preservatives, fragrances, colour, and more. (And you definitely don't want to pay for a company's advertising costs!) There are a lot of choices out there for good, natural skin care, some at very reasonable price points. :)  Have a beautiful week, everyone!

Eat Your Way to a Tan?

 

Hi all, hope you had a 'sunny' weekend, regardless of the weather in your part of the world! It continues to be more like fall than summer where I am (summer clothes still in the closet and I'm sitting here in a big sweater!) so I figured now would be a good time to answer a reader question on "tanning" with foods instead of sunshine. :)

The reader wrote that she heard something about being able to achieve a golden, tanned look just from eating an abundance of certain vegetables like carrots. "If this is true," she wrote, "it would make me so happy because I'm so pale and I'd love to have some color... Should I start drinking big glasses of carrot juice everyday?"

I'm guessing what the reader heard was related to a recent study out of Bristol University. According to news reports, a scientist conducted a study with "before and after" photos of people who consumed a diet rich in orange and green fruits and vegetables. Volunteers viewing these photos preferred the "golden glow" produced in the skin when a diet high in produce was eaten -- and they also preferred this healthy-diet-related look over sun-tanned faces.

The key was the carotenoids -- pigments found in a wide range of plant foods. The full details of the study have yet to be released, but it appears from news reports that there may have been a focus on beta carotene found in orange fruits and vegetables like, yes, carrots!

But in answer to the reader's question, I wouldn't go crazy with carrot juices. First, carrots are really high in sugar, so while they can have a place in a healthy, beautifying diet, you don't want to consume copious amounts of them, especially in concentrated juice form. Second, if you eat too many carrots (or other orange and yellow foods that contain beta carotene like pumpkin, etc.) you could go beyond a lovely golden-glow to an actual yellowing of the skin (you'd notice this especially on your palms and soles of the feet). That yellowing would fade as soon as you backed off from the beta carotene-rich foods.

A produce-rich diet is critical for beautiful, glowing skin -- and it's healthier (and more fun!) to eat a variety of them. Include lots of different colours -- from green leafy vegetables to purple cabbage to red tomatoes to blueberries and blackberries to white daikon radish, and more. I especially like dark green vegetables -- they are loaded with nutrients and have a high water content which promotes blood circulation for healthy skin tone. I generally aim to eat enough dark greens to equal about one head of romaine lettuce a day -- in addition to other veggies and some fruits.

And remember that eating plenty of nutrient-dense produce will also help boost your skin's natural defense against UV rays!

Thanks to the reader above for the great (and timely) question. See you soon, everyone!

Bananas for Silky Skin

Banana and honey -- one of my fave glow-enhancing facial masks.

Hi all -- several people have asked me about the banana facial mask I referred to in my 'Reduce' for Increased Beauty post. It is super-easy and super-effective -- my favourite combo! Bananas have great antibacterial and hydrating properties and make an ideal facial mask for people who have normal, dry, or sensitive skin. The recipes below will gently exfoliate and soften the skin -- love it! By the way, once a week is plenty for any exfoliating mask (no matter how gentle). Enjoy!

Banana Gentle Exfoliating Mask

• cleanse face
• mash about half a ripe banana and apply to face and neck
• lie down with legs elevated (this will increase blood flow to the face) for about 10 - 20 minutes
• rinse with warm water

To give the banana mask a boost, I like adding honey, which is a fantastic skin nourisher; it'll help give that extra glow.

Banana and Honey Hydrating Mask

• cleanse face
• mash about a quarter of a ripe banana with 1 tsp. of raw honey
• apply to face and neck
• lie down with legs elevated for about 10 - 20 minutes
• rinse with warm water

How to Be (Sort of) an Indonesian Princess, Part II

This lucky woman is receiving Lulur, a traditional Indonesian beauty treatment...

Hi everyone! Following my last posts about the beautifying benefits of eating turmeric, I wanted to talk about my other favourite way to use this gorgeous spice: on the outside. Asians have been using turmeric for skin treatments for thousands of years; its powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and antiseptic properties make it popular for treating issues ranging from acne to eczema to sunburn. And its ability to cleanse and soften the skin, while leaving a subtle glow, has made it a star ingredient in body polishes and facial masks.

Just ask a Javanese Princess how beautifying turmeric can be. Since the 17th century, women of the royal court would receive regular skin polishing treatments known as Lulur -- a practice that continues today. The ingredients used in Lulur traditionally include a paste of finely ground turmeric, sandalwood powder, rice powder, and jasmine flowers -- often with the addition of other herbs and custom ingredients. The treatment begins with a relaxing massage to make the skin more receptive to the nourishing herbs. The paste is then applied; once dried, it's gently rubbed off, taking dead skin cells with it, and the body is washed off with warm water. A yogurt body-mask is then applied to balance and soften the skin. Finally, to finish -- a warm bath scented with fresh flower petals. Oh ya...to be a Javanese princess...

If you're inspired to try this at home, you can usually find the ingredients to make your own Lulur body mask (or you can buy it ready-made) at South-Asian markets or off the internet. Here's what to do.

Mix the following, and then add a splash of water to make a thick paste.

• 2 tbsp finely ground turmeric powder
• 2 tbsp finely ground rice powder
• 1 tsp sandalwood powder
• jasmine oil for fragrance if desired

First, massage all over with a favourite body oil (coconut oil works wonderfully!) Carefully smooth the Lulur paste onto your body and let dry. Gently (don't scrub!) rub the paste off. Rinse in the shower. Then, to balance and to cleanse the skin of remaining traces of the paste, rub your skin with plain yogurt. After rinsing, if you really want to go all out, you can finish with a traditional warm bath filled with flower petals.

If this all sounds like wayyyy too much effort, you might be able to find a spa that offers Lulur in your area! :)

And since I already know I'll hear from people telling me that they simply don't have the time to be an Indonesian-Princess without the personal beauty-attendants that generally come with this title, here's a much simpler and less time-consuming facial mask (that can be used on the body as well) for silky-smooth skin.

Mix about half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with some warmed coconut oil or olive oil to make a paste. Very gently smooth onto skin. Leave on for five to fifteen minutes and then wash off. You can also mix the turmeric with yogurt instead of oil.

Just a caveat about all of the above: you know how I mentioned the glow-enhancing benefits of using turmeric on the skin? Well, turmeric can literally leave a golden tinge, and if you're very fair, you'll want to be aware of this. If this is a concern, you might want to try the recipes above on just your legs or feet at first. If you are left with too much of a golden glow, don't worry, it'll wear off quickly.

And -- as turmeric can (temporarily) stain skin, just be aware that it can also stain towels, bed sheets, white counter tops... Don't let that dissuade you from trying it, though. I've shared various turmeric recipes with others throughout the years, and almost everyone who has tried it has loved it for its skin-smoothing abilities!

Two Cosmetic Ingredients to Avoid for Breast Health

"Pink Ribbon" or not, be sure to check the labels on cosmetics, face and body products for health-supporting ingredients...

Hi all, and happy weekend! Recently, I had the opportunity to interview a high-end cosmetics-and-skin-care company representative. She spoke about her company's renewed focus on health-enhancing products. And while I appreciated the company's intent, I was disappointed to discover that some of their products still contained parabens -- especially as she had already publicly acknowledged that paraben-free products were preferable.

I thought it was timely to bring this up, as we're in the midst of Breast Cancer Awareness month. I find it sadly ironic that there are cosmetic companies who use this important campaign as part of their marketing strategy -- or who claim women's health issues are of paramount concern -- and yet still sell products with ingredients linked to the increased risk of breast cancer. Parabens and phthalates are two ingredients that make the top of the "concern list".

Regular readers know I'm not a fan of chemical ingredients in cosmetics and other products that we slather directly onto our skin. Because skin eats, these chemicals get absorbed, causing internal reactions in our bodies. Parabens and phthalates mimic estrogen, causing estrogen levels in the body to increase. And high levels of estrogen is linked to increased breast cancer risk (as well as premature maturation of teenage girls, premature menopause, reproductive abnormalities, lowered sperm counts, and other hormone disorders). Numerous recent studies have led to increasing concern about estrogen-mimicking chemicals accumulating in breast tissues -- and parabens have been found in breast tumors (2004 University of Reading, England study).

So how do you know if parabens and phthalates are lurking in your moisturizers, body lotions, shampoos, deodorants, nail polishes, make-up and more? Here are some things to look for.

Parabens are commonly used as a (cheap) preservative in many personal care products. You'll find them in many forms, including methyl, propyl, butyl, and ethyl parabens.

Phthalates are plasticizers and solvents, and are used to give nail polishes, hair products, perfumes, deodorants, and other products their "sticking power". They can be a little trickier to find on an ingredient label, because they are not required to be listed. For example, if you see a product that simply lists "fragrance" or "perfume", there's a strong possibility that phthalates are present. And you may also seem them listed as DBP or dibutyl, for example.

You may come across information sources that claim there is no "conclusive" evidence that either of these chemicals lead to breast cancer. In short, my response is, why chance it? Especially when there are so many great, natural alternatives available, that WON'T add to your chemical load, which over time, accelerates aging and disease.

Of course, there is much, much more to keeping our breasts healthy -- but avoiding personal care products with these toxic chemicals is a good place to begin. If you have any questions about ingredients in beauty-and-personal-care products you are currently using, please feel free to ask away. On that note, just a "thank you" to all of you who have been sending me emails lately with your comments, questions, and feedback -- I love hearing from you! Enjoy the weekend!

Yogurt Mask for Blotchy Skin

Yogurt is a gentle exfoliant that can help heal environmental skin damage.

Wow, here we are already -- the tail-end of labour-day weekend (in my part of the world) -- hope you all had a great one! Even though fall has not officially begun, this last-holiday-weekend of the summer always signifies to me a shift into the new season. Which means a shift in beauty routines! One reader, ready to leave behind all signs of an unintended "summer-beauty-oops", asked me how to deal with a complexion that was feeling rough and looking blotchy from a fading deep-summer-tan. She had been trying what sounded like a rather harsh exfoliant to even things out -- but it was leaving her face, as she described, "red and raw" -- never a good thing. Skin that's recovering from environmental damage needs extra-gentle care -- you definitely want to stay away from anything harsh that strips the skin of moisture and nutrients. Instead, you need treatments that will soothe the skin and aid in the healing process.

One treatment I suggested to her was a very simple yogurt mask. Yogurt has a very subtle bleaching effect -- that is, when you use it repeatedly, it'll help even out blotchy-looking skin. The yogurt's lactic acid will gently and non-abrasively dissolve dead-skin cells to reveal softer and more evenly toned skin. All you need to do is use your fingers to spread yogurt over your face, neck and decollete (don't forget about this important area which is really vulnerable to sun damage). Leave it on for about 20 minutes or so, and then rinse with warm, not hot, water. Follow with a gentle moisturizer. You can do this up to a couple of times a week until you start seeing results.

By the way, look for plain yogurt without any flavourings, thickeners, or any other additives. If you can find raw and/or organic yogurt, all the better. I prefer goat's milk yogurt (especially if you are also going to eat it!), but cow's milk yogurt is fine too. 

Happy end-of-summer everyone! I'm looking forward to the freshness of fall and to sharing with you a fresh crop of beauty tips!

Post-Sun Soother

Ouch... Prevention is key when it comes to avoiding skin-damaging sunburns, but here's something to help sooth and repair if the damage has been done...

It's not quite September, but I can already feel fall in the air...and so could a friend of mine who figured the cooler temps meant she was safe to go out, sans sunscreen, for an unexpected spin on a boat. The spin turned into an all-afternoon affair, and she returned with a nasty sunburn on her face which included a blistery patch on each side of her nose (likely from the sun reflecting off the metallic edges of her sunglasses).

I figured I didn't need to add to her pain by reminding her, after the fact, that UV rays are intensified when they reflect off the water... Instead, I asked if she had aloe vera gel.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, and produced a bottle, labeled "pure aloe", that an old boyfriend had left lying around. Hm. The bright green gunk was as toxic as her old relationship -- an unsavory cocktail of artificial colour, fragrance and preservatives -- exactly what you don't want to put on your skin, especially when it's extra-vulnerable from sun damage.

"Toss that out immediately," I commanded (sometimes, I can be a tad bossy) -- "I'll make you something." (I'm also a good friend).

"Don't go to any trouble," she protested (in pain).

Actually, it was no trouble, because I always have on hand the exact ingredients I needed to whip up a post-sun skin-soothing-and-healing concoction:

• Fresh aloe vera gel from my medicinal aloe plant. The ancient Egyptians discovered the medicinal uses of aloe vera and it was one of Cleopatra's favourite beauty ingredients; thousands of years later, it's one of mine. For this purpose, it rehydrates damaged skin, and its anti-inflammatory action helps soothe and heal.
• Lavender essential oil. Its antiseptic and natural antibiotic properties help accelerate the healing process. It stimulates the immune system as well as the cells of a damaged area for faster regeneration and repair. 
• Green tea. As I've mentioned, this deserves a post all its own, but for now suffice to say that several studies have shown that topical applications of green tea can reduce sun damage and inflammation.

All you need to do is simply cut one stalk off the aloe plant, trim off one edge to peel it open and scoop out the wonderful gel inside. (If you only have the aloe plant or store-bought aloe-gel and nothing else, simply press the gel directly on your sunburn). Put the gel into a cup or small bowl (never plastic, please). Then add a splash of green tea, just enough to give you a soupy mix that's not too watery. (Apologies for the lack of scientific measurements, but it all depends on how much aloe gel you're starting with). Then, add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil -- a little goes a long way. Mix well (the mixture will be globby) and apply with your fingers to the affected areas. Store the remainder in the fridge, and apply as needed.

My friend felt immediate relief from her first application, and within hours saw her red, inflamed face calm down. By the next day, the puffy bumps on each side of her nose had disappeared, and the day after that her skin looked almost back to normal. She was thrilled. The only thing she didn't like was the "slimy" texture from the aloe gel. I always prefer potent aloe right from the plant, but if you're adverse to the texture, you can purchase pure aloe juice from your health food store and make the following post-sun-soother (to also be stored in the fridge) which is great when you need to treat large areas of your body. In a spray bottle, combine:

• 1 cup aloe juice
• half a cup green tea
• 20 drops lavender essential oil

Shake well and spray over sun-damaged areas. Relief.

[For a serious burn, please seek medical attention].

Cherry Brightening Mask

Cherries - a divinely delicious anti-wrinkle food...

I went to the farmers market the other day and my cherry vendor told me that one of my favourite fruits won't be around for much longer. Wow. For me, that says summer is already on the wane in my part of the world, and there's no time to waste in squeezing out (literally) the benefits of this gorgeous fruit.

In Japan, cherries represent beauty, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they are considered one of the top anti-wrinkle foods -- and no wonder. Aside from the fact that they are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that combat free radicals, TCM recognizes cherries as an energizing food that regenerates fluids and strengthens digestion -- critical elements for glowing, vibrant skin. And being rich in iron, they nourish the blood, giving a healthy boost to your natural skin colour.

Aside from eating them, you can take advantage of their skin rejuvenating properties with a cherry facial mask. The easiest thing to do is simply crush them (a great way to use those cherries that have gone soft) and smooth the juice right onto your face. But I like to add them to honey, giving an extra beautifying boost to my favourite basic mask. Simply crush a few cherries, add about a tablespoon of honey, and mix well. Apply to a clean, product-free-face and leave on for about 15 minutes. It's best to do this when no one else is around, as it looks a bit scary -- but afterward your skin will feel toned, refreshed, and hydrated.

By the way, cherries are on the dirty dozen list, so if possible, buy only organic cherries -- yes, they are expensive, but they are worth it. Farmers go to great lengths to grow organic cherries (my vendor uses various techniques, including spraying the trees with organic honey to entice the insects away from the cherries). 

Enjoy the internal and external beauty benefits of this amazing fruit, and let me know how you like the cherry brightening mask!

 

My LEAST Favourite Skin "Care" Product

Hats can be so chic...and provide a great sun-protection option to nasty-chemical-sunscreens...

Photo: the ever-chic Carine Roitfeld of Paris Vogue, as caught by The Sartorialist

A while ago, I was with a group of women and happened to mention that I rarely wear sunscreen. The room fell silent as they gazed at me in shock -- and then erupted with cries of, "What?? How do you protect your skin!?" Clearly, they felt I had admitted to a beauty-crime of the highest order.

And no wonder. For years, we've been told to wear sunscreen daily lest we end up a wrinkled prune well before our time -- and moisturizers with built-in sunscreens-via-chemicals are ubiquitous. There are reasons, however, why chemically-based sunscreen is my least favourite, commonly-used skin "care" product. It comes down to the fact that skin eats, and that sunscreen chemicals being absorbed into the skin can result in accelerated skin aging and health concerns.

More and more scientific evidence is coming out to support something that many have believed for a long time -- that chemical sunscreens can do more damage than good. Just a few years ago, you had to search for that kind of information. Today, it's even hitting mainstream beauty publications -- I was (happily) surprised when I happened to glance at an Allure magazine a few months ago, and saw an article questioning the safety of sunscreens. The author cited a University of California, Riverside study, which indicated that certain sunscreens could cause more [skin-harming] free radicals to form than wearing no sunscreen at all. According to this study, three very commonly used, FDA-approved sunscreen filters -- octyl methoxycinnamate, octocrylene, and benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) -- could actually increase free radicals as they broke down and got absorbed by the skin. And by the way, according to the non-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG), lab tests have shown oxybenzone to disrupt the endocrine system and to release reactive oxygen species that can contribute to skin cancer. And if you're wondering what the likelihood is of oxybenzone getting absorbed into your body, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested over 2500 people ages 6 and up, and found detectable levels in the urine of 97% of the samples.

There are more studies out there questioning the safety of common sunscreen ingredients (some in addition to those three mentioned above), and linking sunscreen use to DNA and cell damage, skin aging, even increased cancer risks. EWG recently investigated 1,607 sunscreens and found that 3 out of 5 brand-name sunscreens either don't protect skin from sun damage or contain hazardous chemicals -- or both.

Then there are other issues, including the fact that sunscreen blocks vitamin D production. The medical community has noted a widespread deficiency of vitamin D amongst the western population -- and vitamin D is incredibly important from both a health and beauty perspective. Some researchers have now indicated that we've gone too far by saying that people need daily sun protection. Do you really need that daily moisturizer with sunscreen to go to work inside your office building?

Finally, there are increasing environmental concerns with sunscreen. One Italian study showed that sunscreen residues washing off into the ocean are linked to "coral bleaching", which kills coral and destroys associated eco-systems.

It's a controversial topic to say the least, but my belief is that, all the way around, chemical sunscreens are not a good thing.

So, what to do? Physical-block, non-chemical sunscreens are likely safer options, although you may have heard concerns related to these as well, specifically in the area of nano-technology. I'll discuss this in the next post, with some suggestions of well-rated physical block sunscreens.

In the meantime, my feeling -- supported by research -- is that the absolute best way to protect yourself from the sun (and we obviously do need to do that) is to limit sun exposure during peak hours between 10am and 4pm, and to wear clothing that protects your skin when you're in the sun. My favourite "sunscreen" is a wide-brimmed hat -- I'm rarely without one in the summer months. There are also other things you can do to boost your skin's natural defense, including eating foods loaded with antioxidants and other nutrients (I'll give some delicious options in another post).

And remember that the sun is not our "enemy" -- we just need to enjoy it wisely, and hopefully, naturally.

The (Non-Chemical) Peel

Christopher Columbus called the papaya the "fruit of the angels"... 

I had a couple of readers recently ask me about solutions for blotchy skin, one so concerned about what she referred to as a "seriously uneven and 'blah' skintone" that she was considering going the chemical peel route.

I'm not a fan of chemical peels as they can be very harsh (remember that scene from Sex and the City when Samantha had her chemical peel?) and ultimately damaging to the skin, as well as to internal health. I am, however, a huge fan of the papaya peel, which you can use to give yourself a much gentler refining and exfoliating treatment. (My friend D. discovered this one day when she was about to throw some fresh papaya peels into the garbage until I scooped them up from her startled hands. I'm not one to waste anything when it can be put to good beauty use, especially something like papaya which, native to tropical regions, is a rather pricey treat in my part of the world).

It's the papain in the papaya that makes it so beneficial for topical use. Papain is an enzyme that will actually dissolve the dead outermost layer of the skin to reveal a fresher, brighter layer underneath. If you apply papaya on a regular basis it can help lighten skin discolourations, so it's great for blotchy skin and sun damaged skin that has resulted in hyperpigmentation. It can also be helpful for healing breakouts and acne. The only people who need to avoid this treatment are those with really sensitive skin (please do a patch-test first), or those with any kind of skin irritation, including sunburn. Also, avoid doing this treatment just before spending a lot of time in the sun (it's best to do this in the evening so that you're not immediately exposing your fresh, new layer of skin to sunlight, outdoor pollutants, make-up, etc.) 

For low-maintenance types, the easiest thing to do is gently rub the inside of the peel -- that still has some of the papaya pulp on it -- onto make-up-free skin. Let the juice sit on your skin for five to ten minutes. You may feel some tingling or even a bit of stinging as it dries; this means that the enzymes are at work dissolving the dead skin cells. (If you feel serious stinging, wash it off right away with luke-warm water).

If you want to get a little fancier, what you can do is scoop out some of the papaya flesh (about 1/4 to 1/2 a cup's worth) and either blend the pulp in a blender or mash it up with a mortar and pestle until smooth. Then add about a tablespoon of raw honey (which will boost the hydrating factor and provide other fantastic skin benefits) and blend it all together. Apply to face and decollete for about ten minutes or so, and wash off with luke-warm water.

Depending on how your skin reacts to it, you can try this treatment once a week for gentle exfoliation or up to twice a week if you're treating blotchiness. (Stop the treatment if you notice any kind of irritation). Always follow with moisturizer.

And while you're eating the remaining papaya, you can know that it is doing great things for your skin on an internal level, being that it is loaded with nutrients including vitamin A and C; is a good source of fibre; and aids digestion -- all essential elements for promoting optimum skin health. Such a gorgeous fruit all the way around. No wonder Christopher Columbus called the papaya the "fruit of the angels".