Bananas are a good source of vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, biotin, and copper. They are also inexpensive ingredients for natural beauty treatments. Banana works for all skin types and can be used in homemade face masks, natural body scrubs, and even home hair treatments. Leftover ripe bananas are often the best ones for DIY beauty.
Nourishing Banana Face Mask for Dry Skin
You’ll need:
- a banana (that’s it)
This is one of the easiest homemade facial treatments ever. Simply mash about half a banana, and apply the mash on a cleansed face (avoid the eyes). Leave on for approximately 20 minutes, then remove the banana mash and rinse the face, or use a natural toner to remove the banana bits. Mashed banana moisturizes and nourishes the skin naturally and is especially good for dry or damaged skin.
Banana Face Mask for Combination Skin
You’ll need:
- half a banana
- natural yogurt
- honey
Mash half a banana, then add a little natural yogurt and honey to the mix. Apply on the face and leave on for 20 minutes before removing. A little rosewater on cotton wool removes any sticky residue of honey effectively.
Banana Face Mask for Oily Skin
You’ll need:
- half a banana
- juice from half a lemon
This mask is best for oily skin types or skin that has blemishes. Mash half a banana and add a little freshly squeezed lemon juice (a teaspoon or two). Apply the mask on the face and leave on for up to 20 minutes. Lemon is antiseptic and mildly bleaching, and it is often used in natural beauty treatments for blemishes.
Banana and Brown Sugar Body Scrub
You’ll need:
- a ripe banana
- brown sugar
Mash the banana and mix it with brown sugar – if you’re making a scrub only for the face, less than half a banana and a teaspoonful of brown sugar is enough. For the whole body, use more bananas and add enough brown sugar to get the consistency of a body scrub. Mix well and use before taking a shower. This scrub is a bit messy, but it leaves skin soft and moisturized.
Photo: Morguefile
