Solanum Tuberosum: Potatoes & Your Skin

Every now and then, we curious women will read the ingredients list on our favorite skin and hair care products, just to see what the heck we've been massaging into our faces and scalps every day. This is something some of us do all too little, and it can sometimes give you a shocking surprise when you find a harmful agent in your favorite soaps. On the other hand, there's a versatile ingredient in many skincare products that many overlook, and all should respect - solanum tuberosum - or the common potato.

Finding solanum tuberosum in your ingredients list is a great find. Potatoes have been used to remove access oils almost since they were discovered to even be edible. The peels and flesh of the potato are especially good at soaking up dirt and oil from your skin, and can help prevent bad skin conditions that occur from excessive oils and dirt.

The humble potato has many antibacterial and astringent properties, making it endlessly useful in cleansing and refreshing oily, dirty, tired, or discolored skin. It can also help up perk up any sagging, and tighten up your cheek and eye area. Grated or shaved potatoes can be used to make a natural wash, mask, or scrub right at home, and can rid your skin of blackheads and other icky stuff that's hiding inside your pores.

Potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, like vitamins B, C, and potassium. Maltodextrin is also extracted from potatoes, which is a safe, natural binding agent found in most cosmetics. They have also been found to achieve a lighter skin tone, which makes it great to use a fresh sliced potato on the dark circles beneath your eyes, or anywhere else your skin tone is uneven or too dark. Potatoes also help remove blemishes and those pesky overnight zits, relieving redness and swelling of the skin as well.

Using fresh and peeled slices of potato can also help tighten the skin on your face, helping prevent and hide wrinkles, creases, and blemishes. Many women even claim that pressing a bit of fresh potato on the corners of their eyes can help prevent crow's feet. Not only are potatoes used for cosmetic purposes, but for general skin healing purposes as well, such as helping to soothe a sunburn or other mild skin irritations.

There are many helpful recipes on the web that can help you to make your own awesome potato concoction that can vastly improve the look and health of your skin. Try watching this video from board certified dermatologist, Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, for some helpful tips on using the potato for great skin at home.

Useful Information From:
(Organic potato properties from Floridata)
(Bukisa article on Potatoes for Beauty)