Advertisement

Can banana skins really lighten dark circles under your eyes?

Social media users say stringy banana fibres can work wonders. Is there any truth in it?


The hack
Using banana peel to relieve that most persistent beauty bugbear: dark circles (or periorbital dark circles, if we’re being fancy) under the eyes.

The promise
An old trick revivied on TikTok makes an under-eye mask from banana peel.

The test
The causes of dark circles vary – genetics, age, lifestyle and skin type can all play a part. Using a retinol-based product to stimulate plumping collagen can help a little, but I get the allure of the banana skin hack, because it is known to be nutrient-rich – and some retinols can irritate the skin. I take the skin, and scoop out the white fibres inside with a spoon – some users then suggest mixing this with aloe vera gel – before applying it under my eyes for 10 minutes. While I understand that the mildly exfoliating salicylic acid in the banana skin could lighten my dark circles, after a week, and three tries, I can see no difference at all. I try using just the peel itself, cut into strips and placed directly under my eyes. Instead, I end up with a “phloem bundle” (a banana string) stuck in my eyelashes.

The verdict
If you have a banana skin handy, why not? But realistically, using a retinol-based eye cream and a concealer such as Monica Blunder’s Beauty Blunder Cover (£45) – and seeing a specialist if you’re concerned – is the way to go.