Can bananas replace sunscreen?

The Mediterranean sun is not a joke. You should always apply sunscreen generously, whether you are in Marbella on vacation or hiking the Sierra Nevada. We are becoming more conscious about what we put on the skin and what gets washed off into our oceans.

The humble banana is an unlikely hero.

The bendy fruit that you put in your smoothie could be the key to creating a more environmentally friendly and safer sunscreen. Taylor Maguire is a 15-year old high school student in New York. Her brilliant work has put banana peels into the spotlight and not just for slapstick.

The Skincare Industry Could be impacted by a Teenager’s curiosity

Taylor’s quest began with one simple question: What is in my sunblock? Taylor was brought up to prefer natural products to synthetics. However, when she discovered that many of the ingredients in sunblocks can be toxic, not just for people, but also to aquatic ecosystems, she became shocked.

Mineral sunscreens have been found to affect the way freshwater animals navigate. Other sunscreens can cause coral bleaching and worse, may be lethal for small aquatic creatures. Taylor wondered: What did nature do before sunscreen was invented?

Bananas are sun-lovers and thrive in UV-intensive environments near the Equator. They’ve built their own UV protection right into their skin to avoid being scorched. Taylor wanted to know if the compounds found in banana peels would work the same way for humans.

From Fruit Bowls to Lab Bench

Taylor used the outer skin of bananas to create two different extracts. One was water-based, and the other nonpolar. Then, she tested them with a tool that measures light called a “spectrophotometer” to determine how much ultraviolet light (UV) they absorb.

What are the results? Both extracts were effective at absorbing UV light. The oil-based nonpolar version, however, was particularly effective in blocking the dangerous UVA radiation. This was a promising indication that banana peel compounds might indeed be a good natural sunscreen.

The sun is only one half of the equation. These extracts are they safe for the planet?

Banana Test With A Splash of Science

Taylor looked at a freshwater flatworm known as GirardiaIt is a standard test subject for environmental studies. She placed the worms on dishes with a variety of solutions including her banana extracts and regular sunscreen. Also included were water and a liquid called glycerol.

Next came the UV test. After just 10 minutes under intense UV light, some results were… well, a bit shocking.

The worms that were exposed to glycerol or traditional sunscreen, as well as the nonpolar extract of banana, stopped moving. What about the groups of water-based banana extract and aqueous (water based) banana extraction? They continued to wiggle on, with only minimal damage.

Taylor used a dye to confirm her observations. The worms that were exposed to the glycerol solutions suffered tissue damage even without UV lights. Glycerol may be harmful to aquatic life despite its use in cosmetics.

Why This Matters — Especially in Sunny Spain

Chances are, if you spend your summers in Spain or live on the coast you swim in the sea wearing sunscreen. SPF is meant to protect, but it could be harming marine ecosystems.

Taylor’s aqueous ray-absorbing banana extract could change the game. This product is not only natural and biodegradable but it appears to be much gentler than most other products.

Banana-scented sunblock won’t be on the market tomorrow. Further research is required to identify the exact compound that protects the banana peels, test the product on human skin and scale up production. Taylor’s research, which earned her a place at the 2025 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (RISEF), has already revealed new possibilities for eco friendly sun protection.

Takeaway

Check the ingredients of your SPF next time you grab it. Sun safety should not come at the cost of ocean health. It’s encouraging to learn that there are solutions hiding right in front of us or even in our fruit bowl.

Banana Peels: From compost bin to reef-safe sunblock? This idea may seem bananas but, thanks to the curiosity and creativity of a young scientist, this could become a reality.