Recent scientific research on bananas and especially banana peel benefits for skin, hair, and health, has brought this humble fruit into the limelight. With the dermatologist-backed benefits and experience of hundreds of influencers, we cannot let this powerhouse of skin and hair care slip away without a shoutout.
While banana is considered a super fruit for its vitamin and mineral profile already, turns out the peel is as far away from being a waste as it could be. Let’s dive in to understand some amazing research-based banana and banana peel benefits for skin and hair, as well as take a look at some of the best DIY face and hair mask recipes, using banana and banana peel.
Table of Contents
Banana and Banana peel benefits
Rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds, bananas and their peels have been traditionally used in various cultures for their potential therapeutic properties. Both banana and banana peel are rich in Vitamin C (approx. 12% RDA) and are also a rich source of Vitamin A and Iron, which makes them a great source of usable Retinol, a skin-care and anti-aging favorite. (1)
One banana contains about 1/3 of the RDA for B6, more commonly known as Niacinamide in the skin care circuit.
In addition, banana peels are particularly high in anti-oxidants according to some studies (2)
The benefits of banana and banana peel benefits are thanks to their rich nutrient profile.
Banana benefits for skin and hair
For Skin
- Nourishes and Moisturizes: Bananas are rich in vitamins B6, C, and water content, which help nourish and moisturize the skin, contributing to its suppleness and smoothness.
- Anti-Aging Properties: Bananas contain antioxidants, such as vitamin C and dopamine, which help combat free radicals and protect the skin from premature aging, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Skin Brightening: The vitamin C content in bananas promotes a brighter complexion by aiding in the production of collagen, a protein that enhances skin elasticity and reduces dullness.
- Gentle Exfoliation: The texture of mashed bananas makes them an excellent natural exfoliator. The enzymes present in bananas help remove dead skin cells, revealing a smoother and more radiant complexion.
- Soothes Dry Skin: Bananas are hydrating and can help alleviate dry skin. Their natural oils and moisture content lock in hydration, providing relief from dryness and itchiness.
- Reduces Skin Irritation: The anti-inflammatory properties of bananas can help calm and soothe various skin irritations, including rashes, itching, and redness.
- Healing Properties: The amino acids and minerals found in bananas promote skin healing. Applying mashed bananas to minor cuts, wounds, or insect bites can aid in the healing process.
- Lightens Dark Spots: The vitamin A content in bananas can help fade dark spots and blemishes over time, promoting a more even skin tone.
- Treating Under-Eye Circles: Placing banana slices or applying mashed bananas under the eyes can help reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness due to the potassium content and skin-nourishing properties.
For Hair
- Deep Conditioning: Bananas are highly nourishing and can help deeply condition the hair, leaving it softer and more manageable. The nutrients present in bananas help restore moisture to dry and damaged hair, improving its texture and overall health.
- Moisturizes and Repairs: The vitamin A content in bananas helps restore lost moisture and repair damaged, dull, and dry hair. Applying mashed ripe banana to your hair can provide instant hydration and improve its appearance.
- Promotes Hair Growth: Bananas contain nutrients that are beneficial for hair growth. Their high potassium content helps improve circulation to the scalp, promoting healthier hair follicles and encouraging hair growth. The nutrients in bananas also nourish the hair strands, leading to stronger and longer hair over time.
- Strengthens and Prevents Breakage: The density of nutrients in bananas, such as vitamins and minerals, helps strengthen weak, dry, brittle, or damaged hair. Regular use of banana-based hair treatments can help reduce breakage and restore strength to the hair.
- Scalp Health: Bananas can help improve the health of the scalp by soothing itchiness and reducing dandruff. The natural oils and nutrients in bananas help nourish the scalp, keeping it hydrated and balanced.
Banana Peel benefits – for skin and hair
For skin
- Oil Control: Banana peels can help control excess oil on the skin. The natural exfoliating properties of banana help remove excess sebum on the skin’s surface, promoting clear and glowing skin.
- Acne Treatment: Banana peels have antioxidant properties that can help combat acne. Rubbing a small piece of banana peel over acne for 5-10 minutes and allowing it to dry before rinsing off can help reduce infection and inflammation associated with acne.
- Moisturization: Banana peels contain moisture and nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and vitamins E and C, which can help moisturize and nourish the skin. Applying mashed banana peel to the skin or using it in homemade face masks can provide hydration and promote a healthy skin barrier.
- Anti-Aging Effects: The antioxidants present in banana peels, such as vitamin C, can help protect the skin against free radicals and oxidative stress, which contribute to premature aging. Regular use of banana peels on the skin may help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
- Skin Brightening: The nutrients in banana peels, including vitamin C, can contribute to skin brightening and a more even complexion. Applying banana peel extracts or using banana peel-infused skincare products may help promote a radiant and glowing skin tone.
For hair
- Hair Softening: Banana peels can naturally soften and smoothen hair.
- Scalp Health: The nutrients present in banana peels, such as potassium and antioxidants, may contribute to scalp health. Using banana peel treatments on the scalp can help nourish and improve the overall condition of the hair.
- Hydration: Banana peels contain moisture that can help hydrate dry hair. Incorporating banana peel-infused hair masks or treatments into your hair care routine may provide added moisture and prevent dryness.
- Strength and Shine: The density of nutrients in banana peels can help strengthen weak, dry, or damaged hair. Banana peel treatments may restore shine and improve the overall manageability of the hair.
- Dandruff Control: Banana peels have been used to address dandruff and itchy scalp conditions. Applying mashed banana peel to the scalp may help soothe and reduce dandruff-related issues.
Banana and banana peel benefits, as above, make it a super-hero ingredient for DIY skin and hair care.
DIY Banana Masks
For Skin
Take ingredients as per the infographic above, according to your skin type. Peel and mash the banana until it forms a smooth paste, then add other ingredients chosen. Mix well. Apply a layer on your face and neck and let it stay for 15-20 minutes or until dry. Rinse off using lukewarm water and pat dry.
You can use the same ingredients as dry/normal skin if you have sensitive skin, as the soothing anti-inflammatory properties of bananas will only help the sensitive skin while providing the all-essential moisture.
For hair
Ingredients:
- 1-2 ripe bananas (depending on hair length)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil (warm if required if solidified)
Peel and mash the banana until it forms a smooth paste. Combine with honey and virgin coconut oil. Apply the mask to hair and scalp, starting from the roots and working towards the ends. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual. You might want to use this mask 1-2 times a week for best results.
DIY Banana Peel Masks
For Skin
Take ingredients as per the infographic above, according to your skin type. Rinse the banana peel well to remove all residue. Add it to a food processor along with other ingredients, or use a hand blender to form a smooth paste. Apply a layer on your face and neck and let it stay for 15-20 minutes or until dry. Rinse off using lukewarm water and pat dry.
You may use the same ingredient list as dry/normal skin for sensitive skin as well.
For hair
Ingredients:
- Peel from 1-2 ripe bananas (depending on hair length)
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
Rinse the banana peel well to remove all residue. Add it to a food processor along with other ingredients, or use a hand blender to form a smooth paste. Apply the mask to hair and scalp, starting from the roots and working towards the ends. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual. You might want to use this mask 1-2 times a week for best results.
Enjoy the banana and banana peel benefits for hair and skin with these amazing DIY recipes.
Conclusion
Eat the banana and use the peel on your skin and hair, or use both of them on your skin and hair, either way, you will be drawing the maximum benefit out of this super-cool yet humble fruit. While the skin and hair masks aim to derive the maximum of the banana and banana peel benefits for hair and skin, it is always a good idea to do a patch test, to assert suitability and eliminate the possibility of an adverse reaction.
The fun of DIY recipes lies in the sensory experience which goes into making them, to pamper yourself, and the sweet smell of a ripe banana is what makes it an even more pleasurable experience.
If you are not a fan of bananas, try another super-hero ingredient for DIY skincare – Mamey Sapote.
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