Oh, TikTok. One day we love you, the next we want to delete you forever. There are times when we can't imagine living without you—I mean, you've taught us about some of our favorite skincare trends.
The last one is about banana peels, applied to the whole face, it can get rid of wrinkles and replace the need for neurotoxins like Botox.
While we weren't convinced at first, the number of people on the platform claiming it really works gave us pause for thought.
To settle the debate once and for all, PopSugar spoke with skincare experts Kunal Malik, MD, board-certified general and cosmetic dermatologist, Greeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology, and Nina Sedighi.
Benefits of using banana peel on your skin
Simply put: yes, there are some benefits to rubbing banana peels on your skin — but TikTok doesn't have it completely right. "There are no concrete scientific studies that support the use of banana peels on the face or skin in general," says Dr. Malik for POPSUGAR. "We know that banana skin contains many bioactive compounds including antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, carotene and cyanidin, and antioxidants protect the skin from inflammatory activity and damage."
In addition, Dr. Malik adds, "Banana peels are also rich in tannins and vitamin A, which is found in retinols and retinoids, and both of these compounds can be useful for toning and tightening the skin."
However, despite being packed with these good-for-you ingredients, Dr. Malik says they are unlikely to do anything when used in this form. "The reality is that the skin-beneficial compounds found in [banana peels] are likely not absorbed by the skin at the molecular level, and any actual benefit would be short-lived and temporary."
Can eating bananas affect your skin?
If you haven't decided to use bananas in your routine, Dr. Malik and Dr. Yadav agrees that consuming them may be a better alternative. "Bananas are a valuable part of a balanced diet," says Dr. Yadav. "They are naturally rich in potassium, which helps balance your body's hydration, and hydrated skin glows and looks healthier than dehydrated skin."
