Eesha Kulkarni

In the world of beauty and wellness, celebrities often swear by unusual yet effective ingredients to maintain their flawless looks. One such celebrity is the stunning Anushka Sharma, known for her lustrous hair and radiant skin. Recently, she disclosed her secret to achieving a natural glow—mashed overripe bananas!

“I try to do simple but effective things to keep my skin looking healthy and flawless,” Sharma said in an interview. “Mashed banana is very good for your face and is a great cleanser,” she added. This humble pantry ingredient is packed with a wealth of essential vitamins, including A, K, and D, while also brimming with an abundance of antioxidants and phytochemicals.

This nutritional profile positions bananas as skin superfoods, offering a myriad of benefits for both your complexion and hair. Ahead, we will explore the benefits of using mashed overripe bananas and provide you with two simple DIY recipes to incorporate this ingredient into your beauty routine.

The Benefits of Bananas for Hair

Bananas are a powerhouse of nutrients that can enhance the health and appearance of your hair in several ways.

A. Moisturises and Conditions: Bananas are rich in natural oils, potassium, and vitamins that deeply moisturise and condition your hair, leaving it soft, smooth, and manageable.

B. Promotes Hair Growth: The high potassium content in bananas helps in strengthening the hair follicles, reducing hair breakage, and promoting healthy hair growth.

C. Restores Shine: The natural sugars in overripe bananas create a lustrous shine, giving your hair a healthy and glossy appearance.

2 DIY Recipes for Hair:

Recipe 1: Banana Hair Mask for Deep Conditioning

Ingredients

2 Overripe Bananas

2 tbsp Coconut Oil

1 tbsp Honey

Method

1. In a bowl, mash the overripe bananas until you achieve a smooth consistency.
2. Add the coconut oil and honey to the mashed bananas and mix well.
3. Apply the mixture to your hair, focusing on the roots and ends.
4. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
5. Shampoo and condition your hair as usual. Repeat once a week for best results.

Recipe 2: Banana and Yogurt Hair Mask for Nourishment

Ingredients

1 overripe Banana

1/2 cup Plain Yoghurt

1 tbsp Olive Oil

Method

1. Mash the overripe banana in a bowl until it forms a lump-free paste.
2. Add the plain yoghurt and olive oil to the mashed banana and mix well.
3. Apply the mixture evenly to your hair, from roots to tips.
4. Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes.
5. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, followed by shampooing and conditioning. Use once a week to nourish and strengthen your hair.

The Benefits of Bananas for Skin

Apart from its positive effects on hair, bananas can also work wonders for your skin.

A. Nourishes and Moisturises: Bananas contain natural oils and vitamins that moisturise and hydrate the skin, making it soft and supple.

B. Boosts Collagen Production: The antioxidants present in bananas help stimulate collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving you youthful-looking skin.

C. Exfoliates and Brightens: The natural enzymes in bananas gently exfoliate dead skin cells, revealing a brighter and more radiant complexion.

2 DIY Recipes for Skin

Recipe 1: Banana and Honey Face Mask for Hydration

Ingredients

1 overripe Banana

1 tbsp Honey

1 tsp Lemon Juice (optional)

Method

1. Mash the overripe banana in a bowl until it forms a smooth paste.
2. Add honey to the mashed banana and mix well.
3. If desired, add lemon juice for added brightness and vitamin C goodness.
4. Apply the mask to your face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
5. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.
6. Pat your skin dry and follow up with your regular moisturiser. Use once or twice a week for hydrated and glowing skin.

Recipe 2: Banana and Oatmeal Scrub for Exfoliation

Ingredients

1 overripe Banana

2 tbsp Ground Oatmeal

1 tbsp Honey

Method

1. In a bowl, mash the overripe banana until smooth.
2. Add ground oatmeal and honey to the mashed banana and mix thoroughly.
3. Gently massage the mixture onto your damp skin using circular motions.
4. Continue massaging for 2-3 minutes, paying attention to areas prone to dryness or roughness.
5. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry.
6. Follow with your regular moisturiser. Use once a week to exfoliate and revitalise your skin.