Nourishing Face Mask with Papaya and Avocado to Fortify Skin

Feed your face with skin nutrients, including antioxidants, skin softening fatty acids, and collagen-boosting vitamin C with this nourishing face mask. It utilizes two of the most nutrient-rich fruits that nature has to offer to improve your complexion and fight wrinkles. This is a great facial to use once a month to give skin a super fruit boost and to help protect it from free radical damage and skin aging.

Papaya is a powerhouse fruit for the skin. Its claim to skin health is the high vitamin A content. Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant and it is necessary for skin renewal. Topical vitamin A and getting enough of this nutrient in your diet is important for helping the skin recover from sun damage. I always make a fruit smoothie with papaya (with berries and banana and a little honey) when making this face mask. Papaya is also high in vitamin C, another antioxidant which also is needed for the production of new collagen. This tropical fruit is a source of fruit enzymes to loosen dead skin cells and promote renewal. Papaya is the ultimate face mask fruit for aging skin.

Combine papaya with avocado and you get an even more dynamic nutrient boost. Avocado contains vitamin C, as well as B vitamins which are important for healthy skin. Vitamin B5 in particular is important for skin healing and for reducing inflammation. It is also a source of fatty acids to nourish the skin and to reduce fine lines on the face, naturally. Just like with papaya, when I use avocado in this, or any other face mask recipe, I always eat the rest of the fruit to get the double internal, external dose of nutrients. I usually slice it and add it to a green salad.

To make this nourishing face mask you will need:

• 1/2 of a ripe avocado, I usually use slightly less than one-half
• 3 spoonfuls of ripe papaya
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• 2 drops of chamomile essential oil

Puree the fruit, oil, and essential oil in a blender to make a smooth, vitamin-packed paste. Cleanse the face with your facial cleanser and warm water. Dry slightly. Smear this fruit facial over your skin while it is still warm. Relax and sip your fresh fruit smoothie before wiping off and finishing the treatment with a nourishing face lotion.