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 - those that don't result in a red, itchy nightmare.
Treating acne feels impossible at the best of times, so is it any wonder that the more exotic the suggestion, the more people seem to gravitate toward it? Our internal drive towards revolutionary treatments has no end in sight. And although we shouldn't discount using amazing anti-acne treatments (such as Misumi's Clear Skin Duo Kit), it doesn't hurt to try other options as well.
In the grand scheme of things, rubbing banana peel doesn't seem all that extreme. After all, bananas are delicious and good for us, packed with hundreds of benefits for our diet. And isn't the peel just as (if not more) nutrient-dense than the fruit itself? Let's find out.
In What Way Does Banana Peel Affect Acne?
Due to its starch content, banana peel 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 to combat acne. Some even claim that it can even reduce acne scars.
Apparently, banana peel contains lutein, an antioxidant in the vitamin A family known for its anti-inflammatory properties and it's antimicrobial properties (as showed by this study). Other vitamins, such as B, C, and E, provide the skin with much-needed nourishment. On top of that, banana peel also contains high levels of potassium, which can reduce swelling, irritation, and redness. Banana peels are also loaded with zinc, which is known for its acne-fighting properties.
Banana peel isn't just great as an acne treatment. If you have another skin issue, using banana peels in your home remedies might help there, too! The antioxidants found in banana peels are also known to protect the skin against external factors, such as sun damage and pollution. Since it's also a rich source of fatty acids, banana peel can also help treat some skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
How to Use Banana Peel to Treat Stubborn Acne
There are a bunch of home remedies you can use to treat acne and acne marks.
The only thing you'll need for this easy spot treatment is one banana peel. Make sure to wash your face beforehand. Cut the banana peel and rub it directly on your face (with the inside of it pressed against your skin) in a circular motion for about 10 to 15 minutes (or until the peel turns brown). Pay special attention to the affected areas. After you're done, let the treatment sit for about 20 minutes before you rinse your face with warm water.
Apply the moisturizer you'd typically use on your face after, and you should be left with glowing skin.
Banana Peel Spot Treatment
Yes, you can use banana peels to treat spots and breakouts to help you achieve glowing skin. 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 to treat acne and hyperpigmentation, helping you achieve glowing skin.
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). Just a note - don't use lemon juice if you have sensitive skin, as it may irritate you and leave you with even more of a skin problem. In this case, just use banana peel and turmeric.
After blending, gently rub the banana peel and turmeric mixture into your face (or the affected area) and wait 15 to 20 minutes for it to work. Once you're done, remove the mask gently by rinsing your face with lukewarm water. Make sure to pat your skin dry.
Banana Peel and Baking Soda Face Mask
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. So give this face mask a try when it comes to your next pamper day.
Blend half a banana peel, half a tablespoon of baking soda, and a few drops of any essential oil together. Apply this mixture to your face and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. After, wash your face thoroughly, pat dry, and apply your regular moisturizer.
Banana Peel and Oatmeal Natural Exfoliator
Blend one banana peel with 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 with warm water. Your skin needs regular exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and keep it glowing, healthy, and acne-free. This exfoliator is easy to make and has all-natural ingredients that 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.
Overnight Remedy for Acne
We all need a spot treatment from time to time, especially before important events, when acne loves to strike most! This banana and honey mask is sure to help with the appearance of stubborn acne (and even wrinkles!)
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. It's also great for dry skin. The peel will tame and reduce the size of the pimple, helping to eventually get rid of it entirely.
Banana Peel Treatments for Acne Scars
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 bananas and banana peels 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, try it out on a small patch on your face. If the fruit doesn't cause any bad reactions, you can put it all over your face.
If you want to treat acne scars directly, gently rub a piece (or two, if the first one turns brown) of banana peel gently on the affected area for about 10 minutes and leave it overnight. In the morning, wash your face as you would normally (either with warm water or cold water - but nothing boiling hot!)
Banana Peel for Hyperpigmentation
As we've mentioned before, banana peel contains a large number of antioxidants as well as potassium, both of which help heal dark spots, black spots, or hyperpigmentation. They work in conjunction with the other nutrients, leaving your skin healthy and lighter-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 suffering from this skin issue in the long run.
Other Benefits of Banana Peel
If you think we've exhausted all possibilities of banana peel benefits, think again! Banana peels aren't just great for acne and acne scars.
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 banana peel 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 the skin 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 banana peel on the affected area can help bring the splinter 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.
Looking for a Proven Way of Treating Acne?
You don't just have to use banana peel to try and achieve healthy skin.
Misumi offers an entire skincare routine proven to help treat acne, as well as prevent flare-ups and breakouts, keeping your skin healthy.
If you're looking to encourage glowing skin, try Misumi's Complete Clear 3-Step System. Made up of a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, this skin system is specifically designed to help you combat acne (and even reduce wrinkles!) It will reduce inflammation and redness, improve the appearance of acne marks, calm stubborn acne breakouts, and kill acne-causing bacteria.
Keep the pimples at bay with a daily skin routine that actually works. Try it now.
The Verdict
Often every natural product can be labeled as beneficial simply because it comes from nature. While this is definitely true in some cases, 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 and packed full of antioxidants. Unless you have a banana allergy or you notice irritation as soon as you rub the banana 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? You can use banana peels and bananas in a range of at-home remedies to treat acne.
Remember that banana peels aren't just great for acne breakouts and acne marks; you can use bananas to protect against sun damage, treat wrinkles, and more. Not to mention - bananas are super tasty.
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 banana as a home remedy, treatment, or mask. If you do have a reaction to the banana, rinse it off immediately.
Remember to 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.
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.
FAQ
Does rubbing the inside of a banana peel help with acne?
Banana peel contains lutein, an antioxidant in the vitamin A family known for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as B, C, and E. Banana peels also have potassium, which can reduce swelling, irritation, and redness. and help treat acne. So if you're looking for an unconventional way to treat stubborn acne, use banana peel! It can't hurt to try.
Can I leave banana peel on my face overnight?
Yes, you can leave banana peel on your face overnight. Just rub the peel in a gentle circular motion on your face. This will actually boost collagen production and help reduce wrinkles, shrink pores, and get rid of puffiness.
We have a range of overnight at-home banana masks you can try to treat acne. From lemon juice to turmeric, you can add all sorts of amazing ingredients to this fruit
Just make sure to wash your face with warm water or cold water the next day and pat dry.
What happens if you rub banana peel on your face?
Unless you're allergic to bananas, rubbing banana peels on your face won't cause any harm to create a skin problem. Many skincare remedies might include banana peels or may encourage you to add a small piece of banana peel to help treat different skin problems. Don't forget to eat the rest of the fruit - bananas have so many nutrients and are good for you in so many ways!
