Banana oil is known to have some important benefits including soothing the skin, slowing hair loss, moisturizing the scalp, preventing premature aging, eliminating dandruff, and boosting the immune system. Its primary benefits may affect the hair and skin, although it is occasionally used for other health conditions. There are some side effects to using banana oil such as gastrointestinal distress or skin inflammation but they primarily only occur when an excessive amount is used. Generally, banana oil is not orally consumed due to the cost and relative availability of the oil. Fortunately, there are a variety of topical applications for this oil.
Banana oil is the common name of isoamyl acetate, which is an organic compound found in high concentration in banana peels. This oil is synthetically produced in factories, where it undergoes excessive processing. However, many people choose to prepare their own “banana oil” through an oil extraction process. This is considered as pure banana oil and can be highly potent. The banana plant is one of the most cultivated plants in the world and bears the scientific name Musa acuminata (the most popular cultivar of bananas). There is a large global production of banana oil but it is still widely unrecognized for its many therapeutic effects for the skin and hair. These significant effects are largely due to vitamin C, vitamin B, isoamyl acetate and various other antioxidants. [1]
Benefits Of Banana Oil
The use of banana oil is popular for people wanting to treat premature aging, wrinkles, blemishes, scars, dandruff, hair loss, dry skin, skin inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, and a weak immune system, among others.
May Help Moisturize Dry Skin
Our skin is exposed to the environment more than any other part of the body, and therefore takes the brunt of the beating. This can dry out the skin, leaving it cracked, irritated or prone to infection. It also affects the appearance and feel of the skin. Regularly applying banana oil to these affected areas can smooth the skin and protect against environmental damage, including low levels of radiation from the sun.
Potentially Anti-aging Property
If you are beginning to show your age, but would rather shave off another ten years from your complexion, banana oil may be able to help. This concentrated natural oil is able to stimulate the formation of collagen and boost skin elasticity, which can minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. [2]
May Remove Scars & Blemishes
Furthermore, using this oil on the skin may increase blood flow, helping to stimulate the healing of scars and blemishes, and giving your skin a rosy, youthful glow.
Might Boost The Immune System
Being rich in vitamin C and other antioxidant compounds, this oil can provide a major boost to the immune system. First and foremost, it can protect the skin from airborne pathogens and infections, but it is also absorbed through the skin and can help your internal systems defend against infectious bacteria and viruses as well. [3]
Banana oil bottles Photo Credit: Shutterstock
May Prevent Dandruff
This oil is can be an excellent remedy for dry skin due to its emollient properties, which lock in moisture and prevent flaking or irritation. For people struggling with dandruff, massaging a bit of banana oil into the scalp can invigorate the skin, promoting healthy growth of new cells and preventing the dead skin from tumbling down onto your shoulders! [4]
May Help in Hair Care
When your hair easily breaks, snaps or falls out, you need an effective tool to boost the strength of your hair strands. Banana oil can help eliminate split ends and tame frizzy hair, while perhaps directly infusing the strands with important nutrients to cut down on hair loss. [5]
Might Control Oily Skin & Hair
If you have oily skin, you have likely been suffering from acne and pimples for years. Similarly, oily hair can make you self-conscious and feel less than your best, even after washing your hair thoroughly. Banana oil can counter both of these unpleasant situations by possibly optimizing oil levels and clearing out any infections or blockage that may be causing excess oil production.
Banana Oil Uses
Although most uses of banana oil are for cosmetic or medicinal purposes, there are also a few other uses of this popular natural oil, including as a massage oil, an ingredient in soaps and shampoos, and in aromatherapy practices.
Cosmetics
You will often find banana oil as a secondary ingredient in soaps, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers and exfoliators. The effects of banana oil on the skin are not a secret, and with bananas being one of the most readily consumed fruits on the planet, there are plenty of raw ingredients to work with!
Massage
The soothing, anti-inflammatory nature of banana oil has made it a popular massage oil in certain parts of the world. While the strong banana aroma may be unusual at first, the undeniable soothing effect that this oil can have on your skin and aching muscles makes it worth smelling a bit fruity for the rest of the day. [6]
Aromatherapy
Although not the most popular aromatherapy ingredient, banana oil can be diffused throughout the room to provide an invigorating aroma and also passively protect the skin. It can also help to disinfect surfaces in the home thanks to its antimicrobial properties.
How to Make Banana Oil at Home?
While there are many commercially available types of banana oil, some people prefer to make their own, as all you need are banana peels, a mason jar and a carrier oil, such as almond oil. This is the only way to guarantee that your banana oil is pure, and retains as many of its key nutrients as possible. [7]
Banana Oil Recipe For Healthy Skin & Hair
Ingredients
- 4 banana peels
- 4 tbsp almond oil
Instructions
- Cut the banana peels into pieces and place them in a freezer bag.
- Mash the banana peels until they are softened.
- Put the banana peel mash into a glass jar and add almond oil (olive oil also works).
- Seal the jar and put it in a sunny place for 2-3 days. Shake the jar a few times a day.
- Strain the banana peel remains and store the oil in a cool, dark and dry place.
