From Litter To Glitter: How Do Banana Peels For Skin Make It Glow?

Banana peels were the last thing we thought would make a comeback from the garbage can into our lives, much less into our skin care regimen. Though bananas are well known for their health benefits, the peels always go to the garbage- or at the most to the compost or the cattle feed. Our skin is something we hold pristine and invest time and money on – and rightfully so. How then did banana peels sneak their way from the litter into the skincare routine of women? Is banana peels for skin safe?

Banana Peels For Skin: What Do They Do?

Banana peels are rich in pro-skin nutrients, some of which are:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Zinc
• Potassium
• Magnesium

Antioxidants like vitamin C are commonly found in skin care creams and serums. For those who don’t know, antioxidants are substances that help protect skin cells from damage and neutralize harmful free radicals. Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory that can help in healing wounds, rashes, and skin irritation. It must be for this reason that traditional and folk medicines used banana peels for skin allergies.

This antioxidant is a key ingredient in skincare products as it has excellent skin-brightening properties and reduces hyperpigmentation and blemishes. It can even prevent sun damage and reduce dark spots and wrinkles. 

Vitamin B6 is also a vitamin that is incorporated into skin creams for its anti-dermatitis (skin irritation) properties. It promotes skin development and maintenance. Vitamin B6 also helps synthesize collagen which is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Interestingly, B6 can also prevent acne induced by hormone fluctuations by making the skin resistant to the effects of testosterone.  

Banana peels contain phenolic compounds (natural bioactive molecules found in plant tissues) which have antimicrobial properties. A study on phenolic compounds(1) within banana peels has found that the peel can be used as an alternative to treat skin warts. There are scientific studies that show that the antibacterial and antifungal activity of banana peels is effective against skin diseases. 

We guess it is starting to make sense why it is a good idea to use banana peels for skin care. Though more research is required to confirm that banana peels for skin are good, what we know is that they are packed with essential nutrients, and users swear by the results.

With all that said about this super fruit skin, in case you’re wondering if we can then eat them too, then the answer is yes! Banana peels are edible. This shouldn’t however come as a surprise for people in those parts of the world where boiled banana peels are consumed as dishes- the unripe ones as well, which claim higher antioxidant potency. 

How To Use Banana Peels For Skin Care?

Ok, so you have that freshly peeled banana peel from that banana you just ate. This time you’re not tossing it in the bin. So, how to put it to good use in favor of your skin? To get the best results out of a banana peel massage, what you need are:

1. A clean face: Clean skin free of dirt and oil will absorb whatever you put on your face better. So first wash your face clean with a cleanser, or some face wash and water (preferably warm). Pat your face dry with a towel.
2. Banana peel: Simply pick up the peel and gently rub the inside part of the banana peel on your skin. Massage gently for 5 minutes or until the peel turns brown. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. And you’re done!

You can also leave it overnight if you wish to. Since the peel extracts will dry easily on your skin, you won’t have to worry about soiling your bedsheets. Repeat it every day to see visible results in 2-3 weeks. Being a good source of vitamin C, banana peels are said to help in skin brightening and reducing hyperpigmentation.  

It is advisable to wash the outer part of the peel clean beforehand to avoid the risk of contamination.

Banana Peels For Skin: More Than Just Skincare

We just learned that banana peels are a treasure trove of nutrients. Purportedly, its benefits are therefore not limited to just the skin. From skin and scalp to even your teeth, banana peels are versatile and can work wonders on much of your body. Here are 10 benefits that will make you rethink throwing away banana peels from this point on.

Banana Peel For Hair Growth

Just like banana peel for skin, your hair may also benefit from banana peels as they have the potential to boost hair growth. You can nourish your hair and scalp using them. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that banana peel extracts help hydrate and moisturize dry and frizzy hair.

1. Here’s how to use the banana peel on the scalp: Scoop the inner layer of the peel using a spoon. Apply it on your scalp and gently massage it. Use extracts from 2-3 peels if necessary. You can also make a hair mask by adding to it coconut oil, coconut milk, and/or curd.

2. Banana peel for dandruff: Due to its antifungal properties, banana peels are said to help control dandruff. Dandruff can come with irritation and dry scalp caused by pathogens, fungal or bacterial. Bananas and their peels contain the mineral element ‘silica’ that helps synthesize collagen, which is a building block of healthy hair. Silicone, which is an oxide of silica, is a common ingredient in hair conditioners. Advocates of using banana peels for dandruff cite this to explain their effectiveness in removing dandruff and improving hair health.

Banana Peels For Shining Teeth

Rubbing your teeth with the inside part of a banana peel regularly can whiten your teeth. Ripe banana peels are said to contain minerals that will help improve your overall oral health. However, no studies are available so far to prove this scientifically.

Banana Peels For Digestion

Dietary fiber is essential for proper digestion and regulating bowel movements. Those with constipation are advised to increase their fiber intake. Banana peels are super rich in fiber. It can therefore act as a superfood for your gut health. By preparing smoothies or stir-fries with them, you can incorporate banana peels into your diet.

It can also help those with loose, watery stools as fiber will solidify the stool by absorbing water and adding bulk to it. Boiled banana peel benefits can hence prove useful for those with irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease.

Sharpen Eyesight

The vitamin content in banana skin is good for the eyes. As a natural and easily available ingredient, it is therefore a great addition to your diet. Placing it on your eyes can help reduce puffiness under your eyes and remove dark circles, according to proponents. This has however not been established through research.

Reduce Inflammation

Banana peels were found to have anti-inflammatory characteristics in a study conducted in 2012. This explains using banana peels for skin for rashes, bruises, and even psoriasis. These effects are yet to be proven scientifically.

In First Aid

Banana peels can be used in first aid according to some. With their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, they may help soothe cuts, rashes, and bug bites. More research is required to authenticate this claim.

Banana Peels For Cleaning

Instead of throwing them away directly into the trash, why not use them to clean stuff at home? Banana peel proponents use banana peels to clean furniture, windows, utensils, leather bags, shoes, and other surfaces. They are an efficient, cheap, and easily available option to give your accessories a shine the natural way.

Banana Peels For Skin: Face Mask

You may have tried out or at least heard about banana face masks. Banana peels also can make nourishing face masks which you can combine with other natural ingredients like curd and honey. 

Here is a simple recipe you can personalize to suit your liking or needs: Take half a banana peel and chop it into tiny pieces. Grind it in a mixer adding a teaspoon of honey and curd. You can use water or rose water to dilute it into a paste. 

Other ingredients you can add to the blender to customize your face mask include turmeric powder, sugar, banana fruit, and any other skin-friendly fruit (papaya/lemon/tomato).

This face mask will serve as an excellent moisturizer for dry skin. With regular use, it will help you get rid of wrinkles, dullness, pigmentation, and tan/sun damage, giving you the youthful, glowing skin you always dreamed of.

Pro-tip: Turn it into a scrubber by adding a teaspoon of rice flour and massage it gently on your face for two minutes, if you are looking for an exfoliating effect.

For Mood Regulation

Banana peels, like bananas, are high in potassium and vitamin B6. They also contain an amino acid called tryptophan, which is obtained only from food.  Tryptophan in the body is converted into serotonin, which is known as the “happiness hormone”. Serotonin improves sleep, mood, and symptoms of depression. Hence, though not clinically established, banana peels can potentially help with your mood and sleep. 

Should I Try Banana Peels For Skin? Risks And Precautions

Banana peels are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin B6 and contain essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, zinc, and tryptophan, among others. These vital nutrients have proven to benefit our health in many ways, contributing to our skin, hair, teeth, bones, and brain health. Are banana peels good for the skin? Since banana peels are a cheap and otherwise neglected item in the household and given the innumerable benefits it boasts of on the internet, they are well worth a try for your skin.

However, there are reasons this should be done with caution. As with any home remedy and self-treatment, there are things you should keep in mind when you choose to use banana peels for skin, or for any purpose that affects your health for that matter. Natural doesn’t mean they are always safe or free from side effects.

Hygiene: Firstly, it is important to ensure that what you’re putting on your skin is hygienic. Use freshly peeled banana skin. Do not store the peels in the refrigerator for future use. And remember to wash the outer side of the peel well, especially if you are using the whole peel in hair/skin masks. 

Go organic: Further, it is advised to use organic banana peels. Since bananas are widely cultivated and easily grown, this should not be easy to obtain (depending on where you live). Pesticide-treated banana peels can do you more harm than good. 

Beware of allergies: Allergic reaction is one potential risk factor to keep in mind while using banana peels for the skin. Those who are allergic to latex should keep away from experimenting with this. If you have had a reaction to any of these latex fruit/vegetable – apples, avocados, kiwi, potato, tomato, celery, carrots, melons, papaya, chestnuts – avoid banana peels or use them with extreme caution: 

Latex allergy(2) can manifest as rashes, itchy skin, or swelling. Other possible symptoms such as fainting, difficulty breathing, and wheezing could be serious and life-threatening. Seek medical help immediately if you experience any unnatural symptoms after applying banana peels. 

The effects of a banana peel on the skin have not yet been validated by scientific studies. So if you are looking for a cure for any particular skin condition or ailment, consult a physician before trying this remedy. They may be able to give you professional advice and suggest a better option for you.

FAQ On Banana Peels For The Skin

Final Thoughts

Banana peels are without a doubt packed with a number of vitamins including vitamin C and vitamin B6, minerals, and other essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, silica, and tryptophan. Proponents of banana peel usage for skin vouch for them to be a cure-all for all skin issues. A number of people claim from personal usage a host of benefits including moisturization, nourishment, removal of wrinkles and blemishes, skin brightening, improving skin texture, and protection from sun damage and signs of aging. 

As a natural product, it is possibly safe and inexpensive. However, it is to be remembered that all these benefits are majorly anecdotal claims lacking scientific backing. Therefore it is best taken with a grain of salt. Seek professional advice, consider the risks, and follow the precautions. For each skin, it’s own. Find what works best for you!