Dermatologist warns latest beauty trend is ‘not meant to be applied to the skin’

Social media is full of DIY beauty hacks, but whether they actually work is another question...

But do the experts agree?  

The trend involves rubbing the inside of a banana peel on the skin, with many creators praising its supposed benefits. 

One TikToker, Millie Margot, tested it out after reading about its Botox-like effects. While she found it left her skin smooth, it also irritated areas affected by eczema, leading her to decide she wouldn’t be doing it again.  

Bananas are rich in potassium and antioxidants, but dermatologists say using them on the skin is unlikely to do much. 

"Bananas are nutritious, but putting something on your skin is very different from absorbing it internally," dermatologist Deshan Sebaratnam told 9honey. 

"It’s not like the potassium from the banana is going to be transmitted into these cells in your skin, so it’s not going to be helpful in that regard."  

Where people do notice a difference, Sebaratnam says it’s likely just the "slimy consistency" of the peel temporarily making the skin feel more moisturised, but beyond that, there’s little evidence it provides any real benefits. 

Professor of dermatology Rodney Sinclair agreed and said: "It’s probably not going to do much." He recalled a time when banana peels were used to treat plantar warts before people realised they weren’t effective. 

"People seem to reinvent a new application for bananas every now and then before realizing it doesn’t really do anything," he said.  

While the trend is mostly harmless, experts have been warning of the potential risks. Banana peels contain phenols, which Sinclair says "can be very irritating" to sensitive skin. 

Sebaratnam also cautions that applying food to the skin may lead to food allergies, as the immune system reacts differently when exposed through the skin rather than the stomach. 

"Food products are not meant to be applied to the skin," he said, explaining that the immune system may later mistake that food for a threat when consumed.  

Although the chances of this happening are low, Sebaratnam advises against using food as skincare when properly formulated alternatives exist. 

Both experts agree that bananas are better left as a snack, and if you have skin concerns, it's always best to seek professional advice. 

"Your skin is an organ just like anything else," Sebaratnam said. 

"You wouldn’t go to TikTok if you had a heart problem, so if you have a skin problem, see your GP or a specialist dermatologist."

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