Can a Banana Peel Facial Really Work Like Botox?
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The Trend: Every couple of months there’s a new TikTok skincare trend that promises flawless skin with fewer wrinkles. We’ve seen beef tallow, snail mucin, and salmon sperm, but now, banana peels are trending — with fans claiming Botox-like results. While a banana peel facial is certainly way more affordable than fillers and more eco-friendly than jars of skincare products, dermatologists aren’t quite sold.
What People Are Saying: Banana peels are loaded with nutrients, especially vitamin C — which is a common ingredient in skincare products. It’s also an antioxidant, which can decrease inflammation, brighten skin, and fight free-radical damage that can cause wrinkles and fine lines. Banana peels also contain other antioxidant compounds, but it’s unclear how much (if any) is actually transferred into the skin — so calling banana peels the next Botox is, well, bananas.
What to Know: Dermatologists say there’s no research that confirms rubbing banana peels on your face will be beneficial for your skin. Using skincare products with vitamin C is a much more effective way to deliver the antioxidant to your skin, but unless you have eczema, sensitive skin, a banana allergy, or another condition, a banana facial probably won’t do any harm.
