What to do with pomegranate skins? 12 Creative and Healthy Uses

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

Pomegranate peels constitute up to 40% of the fruit's total weight and are often discarded, yet they contain more antioxidants and vitamin C than the arils themselves. Instead of wasting this valuable byproduct, you can use pomegranate skins for a wide variety of practical applications, from home remedies to garden aids.

Quick Summary

This guide provides creative ways to repurpose pomegranate peels, exploring their benefits and step-by-step instructions for making dried powder, teas, skincare products, and garden enhancements using the often-overlooked fruit part.

Key Points

Drying is Key: Preparing peels by drying them completely in the sun or a low-temperature oven allows for grinding them into a storable, versatile powder.
Antioxidant Powerhouse: Pomegranate peels contain significantly more antioxidants than the edible arils and are a potent source of polyphenols, tannins, and vitamin C.
Herbal Tea: Dried pomegranate peel powder can be steeped in hot water to create a healthful tea known to soothe sore throats and support digestive health.
Natural Skincare: The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of pomegranate peels make them an excellent ingredient for DIY face masks to combat acne and brighten skin.
Garden Aid: Don't toss them! Pomegranate peels can be used as a natural, nutrient-boosting compost additive or ground into a powder to act as a pest repellent.
Natural Dye: The peels can be boiled to extract a natural, tannin-rich dye that produces yellow to greenish-yellow hues for coloring fabrics.
Reduce Waste: Repurposing pomegranate skins is an effective way to minimize food waste while utilizing the full benefits of this nutritious fruit.

How to Prepare Pomegranate Peels

Before diving into the various uses, it’s essential to prepare the peels properly to ensure safety and effectiveness. Drying the peels is the most common method, allowing for long-term storage and easier processing.

Method for creating pomegranate peel powder:

Wash thoroughly: Clean the pomegranates and peel them, separating the skins from the arils and the white pith.
Dry completely: Spread the peels in a single layer on a baking sheet. You can either use a low-temperature oven (lowest setting for 2–3 hours) or leave them in direct sunlight for 2–3 days until they are completely crisp.
Blend into powder: Once dry, grind the peels into a fine powder using a high-speed blender or coffee grinder.
Store airtight: Store the powder in a sterilized, airtight glass jar in a cool, dark pantry for up to one month.

Health and Beauty Applications

Create a soothing herbal tea

Rich in antioxidants and tannins, pomegranate peel tea can be used to treat sore throats, improve digestion, and boost immunity. Simply add a teaspoon of pomegranate peel powder or a few dried pieces of peel to a cup of boiling water and steep for 5-10 minutes. Add honey or a splash of lemon juice to enhance the flavor.

Make a revitalizing face mask

The high antioxidant content and antibacterial properties of pomegranate peels make them ideal for skin care. A face mask made from the powder can help combat acne, reduce inflammation, and brighten the skin. Mix two tablespoons of dried pomegranate peel powder with one tablespoon of yogurt or rose water to form a paste, apply it to your face, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.

Use as a hair treatment

Pomegranate peel can promote hair health by strengthening the roots and fighting dandruff. Mix pomegranate peel powder with your favorite hair oil, massage it into your scalp, and leave it on for at least two hours or overnight before washing. Its antioxidant properties also help protect hair color.

Promote digestive wellness

With their anti-inflammatory properties, the tannins in pomegranate peels can help soothe inflammation of the intestinal lining and support healthy digestion. Consuming the tea or a small amount of the powder can help relieve issues like bloating and constipation.

Home and Garden Uses

Brew a natural fabric dye

The high tannin content of pomegranate peels produces a soft yellow to greenish-yellow dye. Boil the peels in water, strain the liquid, and use it to dye natural fabrics like cotton or wool. The tannins also help improve the lightfastness of other dyes when used as a mordant.

Create a natural pest repellent

Dry and grind the peels into a powder to create a simple pest deterrent. Sprinkling the powder around plants in your garden can help deter ants and other soft-bodied insects naturally.

Enrich your compost

Pomegranate peels are biodegradable and can be added to your compost pile. While they break down slowly due to their tough, fibrous nature and tannin content, they will add valuable nutrients to your compost over time, improving soil fertility. For faster decomposition, chop the peels into small pieces first.

Repurpose for leather tanning

In some industrial settings, pomegranate peels are used for leather tanning. Their high content of tannins provides a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic tanning agents, offering a way to valorize an agro-industrial waste product.

Comparison of Pomegranate Peel and Aril Properties


Property	Pomegranate Peel	Pomegranate Arils	Best For
Antioxidants	Higher concentration of polyphenols and ellagitannins	Significant antioxidant content, mainly anthocyanins	Health supplements, teas, skincare
Fiber Content	Rich in dietary fiber, including insoluble fiber	Good source of fiber, but less concentrated	Digestive support, compost
Flavor Profile	Bitter and astringent taste due to high tannin content	Sweet and tart flavor	Culinary uses, fresh eating
Vitamin C	Significantly higher vitamin C content	Rich in vitamin C, but less than the peel	Teas, nutritional supplements
Primary Use	Medicinal, functional, and industrial applications	Culinary, juice, fresh eating	Maximizing fruit utilization, reducing waste

Conclusion

Before throwing away those pomegranate peels, consider the vast array of creative and beneficial uses they offer. From creating antioxidant-rich herbal tea and skin-brightening face masks to fortifying your garden soil, the possibilities are extensive. Repurposing this nutrient-packed byproduct is a simple and effective way to reduce food waste and tap into the health and household benefits of this versatile fruit.

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Learn more about the pharmacological properties of pomegranate peel from ACS Publications

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, pomegranate skins are not toxic, but they are very bitter and fibrous, so they are not typically eaten whole. Instead, they are commonly dried, ground into a powder, and used in teas, extracts, or topical applications.

To make the powder, wash and dry the peels thoroughly. Spread them on a tray and let them dry in direct sunlight for 2–3 days or bake in an oven at the lowest setting for a few hours until crisp. Then, grind the dry peels in a blender or coffee grinder until they form a fine powder.

Yes, pomegranate peel is rich in antioxidants and offers antibacterial properties that can help treat acne, reduce inflammation, and promote cell regeneration. You can mix the peel powder with yogurt or rose water to create a nourishing face mask.

Yes, pomegranate peels can be added to compost, but they break down very slowly due to their tough, fibrous nature. It is best to chop them into very small pieces and mix them with other materials to speed up decomposition.

Pomegranate peel tea is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is traditionally used to help with sore throats, coughs, and to aid in digestion. Some studies also indicate it can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Yes, the tannins present in pomegranate peels make them an excellent source for a natural fabric dye. Boiling the peels and straining the liquid will create a dye that can produce soft yellows to greenish-yellows on natural fibers.

Pomegranate peel powder can be beneficial for hair health. When mixed with hair oil and massaged into the scalp, its antioxidant and antibacterial properties can help fight dandruff, strengthen hair roots, and protect against color fading.