What do Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and Scarlett Johansson all have in common? No, it’s not just fame, beauty or topping our shortlist of some of our all time girl crushes here at Beaut HQ, but they all swear by Lucas’ Papaw Ointment.
Indeed, one of the very few benefits of having my only two sisters both living in Australia is my introduction to the Vaseline-like product that keeps my smackers in tip top condition. Seven years on with this lovely and I have enlisted the help of my sisters to bring me batches upon their occasional return to the Emerald Isle. The daring red coloured tubes of goodness are now permanent fixtures on my desk at work, my bedside locker and in my handbag.
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What is it?
Lucas’ Papaw Ointment is a local topical application and swears to cure boils, burns, chafing, cuts, gravel rash, splinters, open wounds, cracked skin, insect bites and nappy rash. The latter I can personally vouch for, particularly when my sister brought my new baby niece home for the first time. This princess was left in my care overnight, until she suddenly developed a nappy rash.
Knowing I would get the dreaded look of horror and sheer disapproval the next day, I lathered her in papaw and poof, the rash was gone by the morning!
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More than what it says on the tin...
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I also use this Aussie multi-tasker to protect my cheeks against the winter chill; soothes my sunburn; the only product that stops my skin from peeling after too much sun rays as well as an eye cream when my eyes are tight and dry, particularly after the night before.
I have made believers out of my pals who are now equally obsessed. One friend in particular said it’s the only thing that works in keeping her dermatitis at bay. Another also told me of her neighbour who developed a skin condition following a warts removal process on her hand, leaving the area with a rough, scarred residue and in overall bad condition. Having tried the doctor’s prescribed lotions and potions, nothing would work. She chanced the Australian papaya fermented fruit concoction and you guessed it; it banished the condition within a week.
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New brand in town
You can imagine my excitement when I learned there was a Dr. Paw Paw branded version of the product that hit Harvey Nichols, in Dundrum (Dublin) about three years ago. Intrigued to test, and unlike the Lucas’ version, they had an array of pigments to choose from. I opted for the original variation in order to conduct a fair comparative study between the two brands. To my disappointment, I can say there simply was no comparison. The only way to describe it was that Dr. Paw Paw was a watered down version of Lucas' version in more ways than one. Literally, I would sometimes have to shake the tube in order to avoid squeezing out a water-like substance. If you are truly seeking to reap the optimum benefits of paw paw, I suggest recruiting the help of an Aussie friend or family member to smuggle a few in the suitcase next time.
Which reminds me, note to self: must stock up when I make my own trip down under, in April!
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