Beauty Hacks: Can banana skins really lighten dark under-eye bags?

TikTok users are waxing lyrical about the magical properties of banana skins — but does the hack really work? We consult the experts.

What’s it all about then? 

Basically, skincare savvy TikTok users are making under-eye masks from banana peels to treat dark circles and bags. “Despite the availability of thousands of products from hundreds of brands, choosing what to use to treat your dark circles, acne, wrinkles, and puffy eyes is no easy feat,” comments aesthetic doctor, Dr Osman Bashir Tahir. “In fact, the overwhelming number of choices only makes it more difficult. And that’s to say nothing about how much money you’ll sink into the process of trying to find your “holy grail” product. With more and more people following new (and usually unique) TikTok beauty hacks, everyone is now looking for quick and easy fixes, like a banana peel.

How do you do it?

Skin expert, Claire Williams, walks us through the steps below.

Step 1: First wash your face properly with a cleanser and pat dry with a towel.

Step 2: Take a banana peel and start massaging it on your face, with the inside of the peel.

Step 3: Continue the process for 10 minutes and if the peel turns brown, replace it with a fresh peel.

Step 4: Now, after 10 minutes of massaging, wait for another 10 minutes.

Step 5: Post that, you can wash your face with cold water.

Does it actually work? 

Quite possibly, it seems. “Banana peels help to improve your blood circulation,” Dr Tahir tells us. “That, along with their high levels of antioxidants and potassium, are thought to be the reason why banana peels help lighten the sensitive area under the eyes. Banana peels are rich in many nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, zinc, iron, and manganese. These reduce wrinkles by hydrating, boosting collagen production, and helping with circulation.” Worth a try, we say.

WriterNessa Humayun
Banner Image Creditannalovesu / TikTok