Whether it’s a spot of banana bread or a new face mask, the humble banana is surprisingly versatile and packed with goodness! Yes indeed, this tasty treat has been making its way into our skincare routines due to its nutritional value and beauty benefits.
Today we’ll be exploring these amazing powers, from smoothing wrinkles to reducing blemishes!
What is banana for skin?
Bananas are tropical fruit that is widely available around the world. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, they are oval-shaped fruit filled with potassium and other essential vitamins and minerals.
More than just being a delicious and healthy snack, bananas are a true gift from nature when it comes to skincare. Their uniquely beneficial and natural properties make them one of the most-loved fruit ingredients in beauty products around the world. Bananas are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, which work together to provide deep hydration, fight off free radicals, improve elasticity, even out skin tone, brighten the complexion, reduce wrinkles, and more.
When applied topically or taken as an oral supplement, bananas have been known to naturally nourish and protect the skin from further damage due to environmental factors like sun exposure, smoke, and pollution. In addition to the incredibly moisturizing benefits of this versatile fruit for skin health, banana also offers anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe redness, acne, or blemishes.
Pros & Cons of using banana on skin
Pros
- Promote healthy glowing skin due to their high concentration of vitamin A
- The enzymes contained within bananas assist in exfoliating away dead skin cells which can add natural brightness and vibrance, leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated
- Banana contains folic acid which nourishes dry or sensitive skin and is also said to help reduce inflammation caused by acne breakouts
- Help reduce signs of aging when applied topically since they are rich in vitamins C and E; both powerful antioxidants that help fight oxidative damage caused by free radicals in the environment
- Improve dullness and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles due to their moisture-retaining abilities.
Cons
- You can be allergic to bananas, which can result in itching, swelling, redness, and inflammation. To prevent this, always do a patch test on your arms to check if you’re allergic
Ingredients specifications
Clean
Bananas are clean beauty ingredients since they don’t contain chemicals or synthetic ingredients.
Vegan
Since they’re fruits, bananas are labeled as vegan-friendly skincare ingredients.
Pregnancy-safe
Bananas are completely safe during pregnancy and can help alleviate some skincare concerns during this time, like inflammation and dullness.
Breastfeeding safe
Like with pregnancy, bananas are safe to use while breastfeeding.
Active ingredient
Banana products contain the fruit in its active form thanks to the benefits of banana for skin
Comedogenic
Bananas are non-comedogenic, which means they can’t clog your pores and cause you to break out.
EWG (Environment Working Group) Score
The EWG gave bananas a score of 1, meaning that they’re safe to use. However, they’re still investigating the effects of the fruit on the skin since the data is limited.
CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Rating: A
The CIR rated bananas with an A, meaning that it’s safe to use in skincare and cosmetic products.
PRECAUTIONS: Things to know before using this ingredient
When to use bananas on the skin?
Banana products should be safe to use during your day and nightime routines. However, always check the label of the product and follow the instructions for use.
What skin type is banana good for?
Bananas are good for all skin types, however, they’re especially amazing for those with dry skin since their exfoliating, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe the symptoms of dehydration.
What you can’t mix with bananas?
Bananas are not known to react negatively to any skincare ingredient, so they’re safe to mix. The best mix for this ingredient is honey, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C.
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FAQ’s
What are the skin benefits of banana?
Bananas are one of the oldest cultivated fruits and have numerous benefits for the skin. The potassium in bananas not only helps to moisturize the skin, but it also strengthens the skin's barrier. Consequently, this can help to reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles. Aside from this, banana is rich in vitamins A, B, and E which are essential to achieving a healthy and glowing complexion.
Banana-based face masks have become popular in recent years due to their ability to brighten up dull skin as well as give one a natural glow. Additionally, using banana on acne-prone skin can be beneficial as it has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe blemishes and irritations.
Are bananas good for oily skin?
For those with oily skin, bananas can help reduce excess sebum production, one of the common culprits behind greasy skin. Furthermore, because of its moisturizing properties, it can also help keep skin hydrated without making it too oily.
Is it safe to use raw bananas on your skin?
Although raw bananas are a popular skin treatment option due to their high levels of Potassium, vitamins, and other minerals, they can be unsafe if used on the skin. Raw bananas contain enzymes that may cause irritations and flare-ups in those with sensitive skin, leading to rashes or lesions. In addition, raw bananas can leave a sticky residue on the skin, making it difficult to properly cleanse pores and remove dirt or oils that can clog them.
As such, it is always best to take extra caution when using raw bananas on the skin and use formulated skincare products with the ingredient instead
Tips & Tricks to include banana in your skincare routine
- Find a banana face cream or mask to treat dehydrated, dull skin
- Bananas can not only be used on the face, they’re also amazing to treat rough feet
- If you’re looking to brighten and moisturize your skin at the same time, opt for a mask with banana and milk!