We’ve all been there. Searching the web for hours on end, desperately hoping to find a spot treatment that’s quick, cheap and easy to make. Preferably using ingredients we already have in our kitchen. Preferably one that doesn’t result in a red, itchy nightmare.
The more exotic the suggestion, the more people seem to gravitate towards it. Our internal drive towards revolutionary treatments has no end in sight.
In the grand scheme of things, rubbing banana peel doesn’t seem all that extreme. After all, isn’t the peel just as (if not more) nutrient-dense than the fruit itself? Let’s find out.
Due to its starch content, it removes the excess oil on the skin. Also, banana peel contains iron, magnesium, and calcium. All of these combined work wonders as an anti-inflammatory powerhouse. Some even claim that it can work perfectly for reducing acne scars.
Apparently, banana peel contains lutein, an antioxidant in the vitamin A family known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Other vitamins such as B, C, and E provide the skin with some much-needed nourishment. On top of that, it also contains high levels of potassium which can reduce swelling, irritation, and redness. Not to mention, banana peels are also loaded with zinc, which is known for its acne-fighting properties.
The antioxidants found in banana peels are also known to protect the skin against damage from external factors, such as the sun and pollution. Since it’s also a rich source of fatty acids, it can also help treat some skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
The only thing you’ll need for this easy spot treatment is one banana peel. Make sure to wash your face beforehand. Gently rub the banana peel on your face (with the inside of it pressed against your skin) for about 10 to 15 minutes. After you’re done rubbing, let the treatment sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing your face. Apply the moisturizer you’d typically use on your face after.
This spot treatment can be applied once a day, either in the morning or nighttime. Don’t overdo it though, because it may cause some irritation and peeling.
Turmeric and Banana Peel Face Mask
Even though turmeric has been used for centuries for its beautifying and calming properties, its popularity seems to be continually peaking thanks to the internet. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, and it works wonders on your skin for acne and hyperpigmentation. Try out this mask and your skin will thank you.
Combine half a banana peel and one tablespoon of turmeric in a food processor or blender. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice if you want to spice it up ( no pun intended). After you’re done blending, apply the mixture on your face and wait for 15 to 20 minutes for it to work. Once you’re done, remove the mask gently by rinsing your face with lukewarm water.
Baking soda is revolutionary in the world of skincare. There are so many people out there who swear by it. It has antimicrobial properties and it gently exfoliates the skin without irritating it. Give this face mask a try in your next pamper day routine.
Blend half a banana peel, half a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of any essential oil together. Apply this mixture on your face and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. After, wash your face thoroughly and apply your regular moisturizer.
Blend one banana peel with around 100 grams of oatmeal and a pinch of sea salt. Gently massage the mixture on your face for a couple of minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. Your skin needs regular exfoliation in order to remove dead skin cells and keep it glowing, healthy and acne-free. This exfoliator is easy to make and it has all natural ingredients which your skin loves.
It’s important to remember that you shouldn’t exfoliate your skin more than 2 or 3 times a week since you risk removing the protective layer that’s necessary for keeping the skin healthy.
We’re all in need of a spot treatment from time to time, especially before important events, when acne loves to strike most!
Wash your face like you normally would before applying the treatment. Mash half a banana peel and combine it with a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. Apply this spot treatment directly on your pimple and leave it overnight. In the morning, remove the residue by washing your face thoroughly with a gentle cleanser.
Honey has antibacterial properties and is great for moisturizing the skin naturally, while the peel will tame and reduce the size of the pimple.
We’ve seen how the nutrients found in banana peels can potentially work together to heal acne, but can they really treat acne scars?
Some people claim that the antioxidants, potassium, zinc, iron and fatty acids found in the peel help reduce scars. Although this theory isn’t scientifically proven, there’s no harm in trying this method and seeing if it works for you. If you’re worried about a bad reaction, then try it out on a small patch on your face and if it doesn’t cause any bad reactions you can put it all over your face.
If you want to treat acne scars directly, simply rub a piece (or two, if the first one gets brown) of banana peel gently for about 10 minutes and leave it overnight. In the morning, wash your face as you would normally.
As we’ve mentioned before, banana peel contains a large number of antioxidants as well as potassium, both of which help heal dark spots or hyperpigmentation. They work in conjunction with the other nutrients, leaving your skin lighter and healthier looking.
It also controls excess sebum on the skin, meaning that your skin will be less likely to break out in the future, which reduces your chances of hyperpigmentation in the long run.
If you think we’ve exhausted all possibilities of banana peel benefits, think again!
In the beauty community, banana peel has an endless list of benefits. It seems like people are coming up with revolutionary ways to use it on a daily basis. By doing so, they’ve concluded that it can work magic in many areas of the face, not just acne.
Banana peel can prevent signs of premature aging due to its vitamins and antioxidants. In addition, it can hydrate it and boost collagen production, resulting in more youthful skin.
It can also heal bruises, reduce the appearance of scars and marks and heal bug bites. Pretty awesome for a peel, right?
It’s known to reduce itchiness too, particularly for those who suffer from psoriasis and other similar skin-related issues.
Banana peel can also remove splinters, which is particularly useful if you have kids. Rubbing it on the affected area can help bring it to the surface of the skin due to all the enzymes that banana peel contains. After it’s on the surface, you can gently remove it with tweezers.
Often times, every natural product can be labeled as beneficial simply because it comes from nature. While this is definitely true in some cases, I believe we should be more critical when it comes to the stuff we put on our skin.
That being said, banana peel seems to be pretty harmless, but each individual will react differently to it. Unless you have a banana allergy, or you notice irritation as soon as you rub the peel on your skin, there should be no harm in trying it out. After all, there’s no other way to determine if something works for your skin, right?
Each individual will react differently to it. Just make sure you use the patch test and apply it on a smaller area on your face or in the inner elbow fold before you use it as a treatment or a mask.
Remember to always be gentle when rubbing the peel on your skin. Wash the peel before applying it on your face, and don’t forget to eat the bananas since they are a healthy snack. If they’re slightly overripe, you can make banana bread. Be consistent with the treatment and the results will come.
The most important thing is to keep in mind that preventing pimples is a lot easier than treating them. For that reason, you should pay special attention to factors like how much you’re sleeping, how often you’re exercising, the amount of water you’re drinking, how healthy your diet is and whether your stress levels are too high.