Bananas for blemished skin

Natural Health, Sept-Oct, 1998 by Susanne Althoff

HORMONES DRIVE MY BREAKOUTS. Each month, trouble strikes about a week before menstruation begins. Recently I tried to arrest my blemished state by whipping up a face mask for irritated skin. Called Banana Chamomile Soother, the dark yellow goop tingled as it worked. While it didn't erase pimples, it did reduce redness and left my skin squeaky clean. Plus, it offered an excuse to relax on the couch for a few minutes--and stress, of course, also contributes to breakouts.

The mask is based on those used at the Wellness Center of Hyde Park, N.Y. Home versions of the center's treatments--from body wraps to foot massages--have been collected in The Wellness Center's Spa at Home (Berkley Books, 1997) by writer Kalia Doner and her sister, Margaret Doner, a massage therapist at the center.

The mask's two ingredients do more than smell great. Chamomile has long been used topically to soothe irritated skin. And banana adds vitamins to the mask and may help exfoliate the way fruit acids do, according to Maureen DiCorcia, the center's director of spa services.

BANANA CHAMOMILE SOOTHER

1 small ripe banana
2 tablespoons strong
chamomile tea
3 or more cotton balls

Mix banana and tea into smooth paste. Dip cotton ball in mixture and swab gently over blemishes. Take 2 or more fresh cotton balls and dip in mixture. Place over irritated areas. Lie down for 5 minutes. Rinse mask off with cool water.