I am a beauty freak. Yes, it might be a new term. Wait, does it exist? Since childhood days, I had this weird habit of reading beauty articles. I even experimented with my skin with all kinds of beauty masks, albeit homemade. I did not buy expensive creams or face masks. Just read in the newspaper or magazines, made them and applied it. However, thanks to this habit, I have never opted for chemical laden face packs ever. Whenever I face breakouts, tan or such problems, I head straight to my kitchen, find something to help my skin. Touchwood, this has been working, till date.

While you can apply fruits and vegetables directly or in face masks, this post reveals the secret of applying the fruits and vegetable skins. Yes, the skin is all the more beneficial, as maximum number of nutrients are hidden there. Here in this post, I have tried to find out the benefits of different peels.

1. Apple Peel

Yes, in one of my posts I have mentioned that apple should not be peeled. The peel is very good for the health. Further, the peel of the apple is good for the skin, when eaten raw or even applied. I am a bit lazy and apply it directly. But for greater benefits, apple peel needs to be dried first. Grind the dried peels and make sure that it turns into fine powder. Ta-da! The beauty dust is ready. Mix this powder with rose water and some drops of lemon juice. Rub this on face or even hands and legs. The apple peel powder helps remove tan and also oxygenates the skin. It is equally beneficial to be used as scrub.

2. Potato Peel

I have heard about applying potato slices on skin and also the juice of raw potatoes. However, I recently watched a lady applying the peel. Initially I found this funny. But, on research, I got to know that the potato peels are actually quite good for the skin. Just dip the potato peels in olive oil and keep it on your face. Remove it after some time and wash your face off. If you find it greasy, remove olive oil using cotton balls. And then wash it off with water. Another option is to boil the potato peels in water for around ten minutes. Sieve the water and apply it on your hair. It helps in softening the hair and preventing early graying. The vitamin C rich potato peels helps treat acne, skin problems, ageing and even sunburns.

3. Pomegranate Peel

Those little red pearls of pomegranate are very good for health. However, I got to know recently that skin of the fruit should not be discarded. Remove the pearls and separate the peel. Place the peels under the sun and let them dry naturally. Grind them into coarse powder. The peel is quite rich in antioxidants. Mix the peel powder with lemon juice and apply for healing the skin from acne and rashes. Mix it with milk or rose water to prevent ageing. The peel helps promote cell production in the skin and even hydrates it. Use it to protect your skin from harmful toxins and maintaining the pH balance. Make a face pack with peel powder and yogurt to moisturize the skin. Mixing the peel powder with brown sugar, honey and avocado oil makes a good scrub, removing dead skin.

Ah! It is a good sun-blocking agent as well. Apply the powder with lotion twenty minutes before leaving your home. Mixing it with your hair oil and massaging on the roots keeps dandruff at bay. Shampoo well after two hours of application. The peel powder is equally beneficial for treating sore throat and enhancing dental health.

4. Cucumber Peel

I have seen ladies with their hair tied up, face covered with a mask and cucumber slices on their eyes. I often think what these ladies would be thinking in such a situation. The best thing to do would be just doze off. Okay, the point is that not only cucumber slices but also their peels are quite good for the skin. Just scrape off the skin and apply it on the face. It treats acne on the face and heals them.

5. Papaya Peel

The peel of this fruit is equally good as the flesh. The skin being rich in antioxidants helps keep wrinkles at bay. Apply the papaya peel on your skin to get rid of blemishes, soothe sunburns and even as sunscreens before heading out in the sun. It is good even for removing dead cells. If you want to lighten the skin, use the peel of a papaya. For treating dandruff, soak papaya peels into vinegar for some weeks. Sieve the mix and use it with lemon juice on the scalp for around twenty minutes. Shampoo well. Papaya peels are used as skin cleansers and even as toners. I love rubbing the papaya peels on my foot to soothe the cracks.

6. Carrot Peel

I am already imagining my face covered with orange colored carrot peels. It seems funny. However, the peels of the carrot are apt for all skin types. To use the skin, carrots need to be washed and scraped with a peeler. Grind the peels into paste using minimum water possible. Carrot peels are awesome for treating wrinkles. Just apply this paste on the wrinkles and area around it. It will even lighten the darkened complexion from wrinkles.

7. Bottle Gourd Peel

If you are looking for a vegetable peel that will give your skin a much required glow, then look no further. Bottle gourd peels are believed to be great for skin glow. Wash the vegetable and peel it off. Now, rub these peels on the face, once a week. Do remember to wash your face after this trick. It will beautify your face, keep it looking fresh and even give you an instant glow.

8. Watermelon Rind

The hard shell of the watermelon is not only good for health but also for the skin. The watermelon rind is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C and lycopene. Massaging it directly on the skin is quite helpful. It prevents wrinkles and fights them too. A powerful antioxidant, the rind can also be used to cleanse the face. Rinse off the impurities on the face by using watermelon rind as an astringent. Drop some honey on the rind and apply on the face for added benefits.

9. Bitter Gourd Peel

Experts say that eating bitter gourd regularly keeps skin healthy and beautiful. People who suffer from eczema and psoriasis benefit from consumption of this bitter vegetable. During summers, eating bitter gourd helps prevent even skin irritation. Wash the veggie carefully, peel it off and squeeze the peels or grind them. Apply the juice on the skin to reduce scars. Wash it off after some time.

10. Lemon Peel

I love lemon rinds very much. The rind has an exclusive taste that enhances the smell of the food. I grate the rind and include it in water-based teas. Lemon peels have several beauty benefits as well. What I do is add some fresh milk cream to the rind and a few granules of sugar. I scrub these rinds on my elbows to lighten them. Alternatively, add baking soda to the rind and rub the underarms to lighten them. Rub the lemon wedges on your nails to whiten them. Make sure to rinse the area after scrubbing lemon rinds. Rub the lemon peels on the skin, lightly. This acts as a tonic for the skin. Chop the lemon peels finely and a few drops of olive oil and half a cup of sugar. Rub this mix on your body during shower. Your skin will be smoother than ever. If you do not want to use lemon rind regularly, then you can sun-dry them after washing. Grind these into powder and use it in face packs.

11. Banana Peel

Don’t throw away the banana peels after eating up the fruit. Use the peel to enhance your beauty. However, if you can eat the peel, it will be better for your health. Banana peels are rich in anti-oxidants and potassium. Use the peel to whiten your teeth by rubbing the inner part gently for some minutes. You need to repeat this daily for best results. The inner part can be gently rubbed on the skin to brighten it as well. Say goodbye to wrinkles by rubbing the peels (inner side) on the affected parts. You can keep it overnight or wash it off in half an hour. Rubbing banana peels thrice a day on your face and washing it off helps treat acne and blemishes as well. Banana peel even moisturizes the skin and combat puffy eyes. To enhance skin complexion, use the skin of green banana regularly.

12. Orange peel

I have been using orange peels since my teenage years. They really work wonder on the skin. The easiest way is to wash, sun-dry the orange peels and grind them into fine powder. This powder can be used in face packs for getting rid of acne, removal of dead cells, moisturizing the skin and even maintaining youthful beauty. This is because orange peels are rich in calcium, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium as well. Alternatively, you can just grate fresh orange peels into face packs. Orange peels can also be used on hair for getting rid of dandruff. Mix the peel powder with some water. Leave this mix overnight. Apply this on your hair for cleansing, conditioning and removing dandruff. Also, your hair will smell good.

13. Sweet Potato Peel

Yam or sweet potatoes do not only taste good but have beauty benefits as well. You can use the flesh or even the skin of this sweet tasting vegetable. The skin is rich in Vitamin C and E, Folate and even potassium and iron. It can be used to treat tanned skin effectively. Just wash the veggie and peel it off. Use these peels by massaging on the skin. You can even enhance complexion by using sweet potato peels for bleaching your skin.

14. Radish Peel

The presence of Vitamin B6 in radish peels makes them ideal to use it on your skin. If you are looking to get rid of those nasty blackheads, then just rub the radish peels on the affected area. Rubbing helps soften the blackhead. They fall off on their own.

15. Beetroot Peel

It is difficult to fall in love for the first time, again and again, and get that pink glow on the face. Instead, just scrape off the peel of a beetroot and apply it on your face before washing it off. Repeating this activity twice a week will enhance your complexion, naturally. It is even good for the lips.

Isn’t this surprising – Using peel for beauty benefits! Or am I making you lazy? But seriously, tell me… using peels is quite easy and does not require any science. I am sure that you are going to try these peels for getting rid of stubborn beauty problems. If I have missed out on some peel in my post, please mention it in the comments to enlighten me. Happy and healthy skin to you!