Bermuda bananas are in season at the moment. I have no banana tree but every week I'm still faced with at least three or four rotting in the fruit dish before I had a chance to eat them. I confess that I am a spend thrift of the type that saves money so fervently that it embarrasses close family and friends. So what to do with so many bananas?

Last week I included the banana sandwich in the weekly lunch box menu and cashiers at White's Supermarket, in Warwick, were excited about it. They told my husband and I that it was useful information to pass on to others, one of the ladies said a banana and peanut butter sandwich was her absolute favourite type of sandwich.

This week I've managed to find an even more novel use for the in-season banana – as a face mask. Bananas contain a natural compound called phytosterols that act as a skin softener. One cup of mashed banana contains 36 milligrams of phytosterols. Bananas are also packed with minerals and vitamins. They are especially high in potassium and are a good source of magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, B6 and folate. So instead of using that expensive organic face mask this week, try nourishing your skin by lathering on some mashed banana.

Ripe banana mask

Mash a ripe banana to a paste

First steam the face with either a warm wash cloth or over a bowl of boiled water. Dab face dry and apply the mashed banana. Then lie down and wait for the banana to dry on the skin – about 10 minutes. Finally wash off with cool water. Be sure to rinse your face thoroughly after or you might find fruit flies or ants suddenly interested in you.