Influencers are now gravitating towards a more natural approach to beauty — literally. Many are brandishing fruits into blush and eyeliner — some are charring the stalk of a banana before pressing it against the lids to leave behind a smokey-eyed effect while others are pigmenting the cheeks and lips with the residue of blackberries and cherries. The end result is a natural-looking, dewy-dumpling aesthetic that boasts a chemical-free finish. But does that warrant no questions about the safety of the trend? Because while I haven’t traded in my eyeliner for a burnt-up banana yet, I have tried experimenting with fruit-based DIYs — and some don’t suit my skin at all. So — should we let charred cat-eye flicks repose against the lids anyway just because everyone’s subscribing to the viral TikTok makeup hack?
I have roped in Dr Madhuri Agarwal, Founder & Medical Director, Yavana Aesthetics Clinic, Dr Sushma Yadav, Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, Skinology, Bangalore and Dr Priyanka Reddy, Founder and Chief Dermatologist, DNA Skin Clinic to tell me more about this trend, and whether it’s safe or not. Read on to uncover the reality of this food-n-fruits makeup trend.
Investigating The Trend People Are Going Bananas Over
Many on TikTok are using raspberries, cherries, and blackberries as blush and lipstick — even eyeshadow. Do any of these fruits have side effects when applied on the skin?
While Dr Priyanka doesn’t favour the trend because it’s not a practical alternative to long-lasting, conventional makeup, Dr Madhuri explains to me that the application of fruits on the face isn’t free of side effects, “When fruits are applied on the face, they can cause side-effects. The acidic content and pH levels of certain fruits aren’t quite compatible with the pH of our skin. This can lead to irritation, rashes, and allergic reactions.”
Others are burning the stalk of a banana, and pressing it against the lid to create a wing. This sounds unsafe. Is it?
“This is extremely unsafe as the content can enter the eyes during application, and lead to infections. Remember that the skin of the eyes is thin, and when a banana is left on, it can lead to allergies too,” says Dr Madhuri.
“You must be careful when you are applying the stalk of the banana as eyeliner — avoid cuts and burns at all costs. In very rare cases, fruits that have been cultivated with a lot of pesticides, and haven’t been washed thoroughly can lead to skin-sensitivity issues if left on for too long. But even this is a very rare problem,” Dr Priyanka comments.
Beetroots are also being used as blush. Any risks associated with using this vegetable on the face?
Dr Madhuri concludes, “We aren’t aware of the stability of beetroot and how it interacts with different skin types. Beetroot applied on the face as makeup for prolonged periods of time can cause a skin-related condition called irritant dermatitis.”
Both experts have reached the same consensus — avoid it, and if you are experimenting with the trend, be careful. Or, you know, try another blush or eyeliner hack.
Honestly — Just Buy These Instead…
Featured Image: Pexels
