KATHMANDU: It is a known fact that eating fruits is very good for health, but very few people know that fruits also have certain beauty merits. Every fruit has its own special components, which makes it fit for certain skin and hair treatments.

Listed below are the special healing powers of three fruits.

Apples: Apples are a great conditioner and toner for your skin. They have amazing skin-healing powers and have been used as a beauty aid for centuries. Add a cup of apple juice to your bath to cleanse and soften your skin. The juice of apple can be used as a breath freshener too. Apple juice when applied to your hair scalp can prevent dandruff. Use as a final rinse after shampooing your hair. Also, remember, apples are filled with pectin — essential for fighting the dreaded acne.

Lemons: A classic home beauty ingredient, lemons are used to cleanse and freshen skin and hair. Use lemon slices to soften rough skin spots such as elbows and heels. Lemon slices also help deodorise and mix a few teaspoons of lemon juice in your bath and you will feel fresh the whole day. Lemon juice can be added to your favourite cleanser or shampoo to refresh and tone your scalp. It also helps prevent dandruff. Lemon rinds can be rubbed on to scars as it aids healing. Lemon is natural bleach it can help to fade out dark spots and acne scars too.

Bananas: Banana is a great emollient for your skin and hair. They are rich in protein and natural fats and can be used on all skin types. An easy facemask that will make your skin supple is to apply mashed banana all over your skin and leave it on for 20 minutes, rinse off with warm water and moisturise after that. Mashed banana also makes a wonderful hair conditioner when mixed with a one tablespoon of honey. Perfect for keeping hair beautiful even if dyed regularly.