Potatoes! Beautiful Skin Naturally

It’s true! Your average medium size potato contains more than a few wholesome beauty and curative properties for an all natural, organic and money-spinning face lift!

Not only will your skin be nourished and moisturized, but potatoes also work as an anti-aging treatment, skin lightener and brightener, and an anti-inflammatory to quickly revitalize stressed-out skin. Ingredients like Vitamin-C, B-complex, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc stimulate collagen and elastin synthesis and essential cellular turnover for a toned, vibrant, youthful complexion.

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is not only one of our favorite comfort foods, but is also naturally vitamin and mineral rich, contains essential fatty acids, and has an assortment of phytochemicals, such as carotenoids and polyphenols, as well as minerals including trace amounts of thiamine, riboflavin, folate, niacin, iron and copper. The potato is a "skin food" that nourishes vulnerable cellular tissues and better yet, these nutrients appear to be equally supplied by both the flesh and skin of the potato. Your average "run of the mill" potato is surprisingly effective as an emollient and works to relieve inflammation. It’s naturally occurring enzymes, sugars and starches, combined with its high vitamin C content, gently and easily exfoliate the skin, sloughing away accumulated dead cells at the skin’s surface. What’s more, the alkaline juice of the potato promotes antimicrobial benefits to rid the skin of harmful bacteria in company with potassium to promote healing.

A medium-size potato, including the skin (2-1/4” to 3-1/4” diameter) weighing in at about 213 g or 7.5 oz, delivers 42.0 mg (70%) of vitamin C; a vital component in the body's collagen production. Vitamin C also plays an important role in defending against free radical damage brought about by sun, stress, and harsh environmental factors.

Also wrapped in this tidy little bundle can be found..

• Vitamin K (4.0 mcg - 9%) which successfully treats dark circles under the eyes and facial bruising, especially following certain dermatological procedures. When paired with B₃ (Niacin, Nicotinamide) vitamin K has been shown to increase the skin’s ability to retain moisture.
• Vitamin B Complex in conjunction with other B-group vitamins, including vitamin B₆ and vitamin B₁₂ ,ensures healthy DNA production and works to improve skin cell renewal. Complex B-vitamins are also compatible with other vitamins and minerals, are very stable and readily penetrate the stratum corneum, or the skin’s outer most layer. Individually, the components of B complex, like that of vitamin B₅ (panthenol), work as a humectant to provide barrier conditioning and protection for the skin.
• Niacin (3.9 mg -19%) or Niacinamide (a niacin derivative that is part of the Vitamin B Complex group and another by-product of vitamin B) serves as an effective skin-lightening agent especially for skin conditions where hyperpigmentation is present or may occur due to photo-aging, hormones, injury and acne. Nicotinamide has anti-ageing benefits and has been shown to improve the skin’s ability to sustain moisture, which encourages softer, smoother skin, reduced dryness and flakiness, and diminished fine lines and wrinkles. Topical nicotinamide has also been reported in recent studies to decrease ultraviolet or sun induced skin cancer.
• Choline (44.6 mg) is a water-soluble essential nutrient usually grouped within the B complex vitamins. Choline supports healthy cell membranes and minimizes inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead accelerated, premature aging and to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even cancer.
• Potassium (1154 mg - 44%) improves hydration making it exceedingly valuable as an ingredient for promoting moisture to the skin and it also aids with the growth of new, healthy skin cells.
• Magnesium (84.9 mg - 21%) is essential for the function of the cells as it penetrates below the skin’s surface to support the regeneration and repair of damaged skin cells. It is also a natural anti-allergen that supports healthy skin against allergic skin reactions.
• Calcium (44.3 mg) has skin benefits that include cell renewal, improved lipid barrier function, and antioxidant enrichment.
• Phosphorus (210 mg – 21%) works well to adjust the skin's delicate pH levels.
• Omega-3 fatty acids (36.9 mg) help to reduce inflammation.
• Omega-6 fatty acids (118 mg) can help reduce symptoms of eczema or atopic dermatitis.

The juice of potato when applied on the face illuminates the skin, and in poultice or mask form, delivers a profusion of nutrients which have an uplifting effect on a complexion that is revealing signs of age and fatigue.

Begin by finely shredding or grating your raw potato, skin and all. Cheese cloth or gauze works well to hold the resulting pulp for use either as a compress, or as a strainer of sorts to extract the potato juice. Always be mindful of how quickly potato oxidizes (turns brown) and consider refrigerating the mixture in an air tight container if you don’t plan on using it straight away. Below are a few natural “preservatives” to help counter the effects of oxidation:

• Acidic foods, such as lemon juice or vinegar, vitamin E(tocopherols), sugar, salt, oil (olive oil is a perfect facial mask or poultice ingredient), and spices such as cloves, sage, thyme, rosemary and oregano (all of which have beneficial skin properties).

The juicy pulp of the shredded raw potato is excellent as a facial mask to help soften and diminish the appearance of deep-set wrinkles and fine lines, age spots and hyperpigmentation, as well as help to lift and brighten the complexion. Begin by positioning a cheese cloth or gauze over the area to be treated in order to keep the mixture in its place, or make a poultice and massage over the surface of the skin.

To create a personalized skin treatment, try combining the finely grated potato pulp with any variety of natural ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry or fridge. For example, combine the pulp with honey. Honey is not only safe for sensitive skin, it is antibacterial and has the ability to attract water. Together with the potato pulp, the two may also help to heal existing blemishes and when used routinely, prevent further breakouts. Apply to freshly cleansed skin, leave on for 15-20 minutes, rinse, then remove completely with a skin freshener or toner. Finish by applying an appropriate moisturizer and sun protection lotion or cream. Viola!

Juiced, fresh cucumber is a wonderful addition to your potato pulp due to its hydrating, nourishing and astringent properties. It can be prepared much the same way as the potato, but without the peal, unless you are using "English" cucumber which has a thin, edible skin.

Improve your blend with lemon juice and a teaspoon of milk; milk is calming and is the source of the enzyme, lactic acid, which effectively exfoliates the skin. Lemon is an astringent and is naturally detoxifying to further revive dull, lackluster skin.

Add together a teaspoon of baking soda, one whole egg or egg white, and plain yogurt; mix until well blended. Apply as a mask. Baking soda works to gently exfoliate dead, accumulated skin cells; lysozyme is an enzyme present in chicken egg-whites and digests bacterial cell walls; yogurt, like milk, contains lactic acid to help to exfoliate, hydrate and sooth the skin, leaving it soft and smooth. Allow the mask to set for 15-30 minutes then, with a little water, massage the mask over the skin in circular motions to enhance the exfoliation benefits. Rinse well and remove any leftover mask with a skin freshener or toner. Finish by applying an appropriate moisturizer and sun protection lotion or cream.

Put your juicer to work! Make a juice using raw potato and leave in the fridge for 30 minutes. Apply the “face wash” with a cotton pad or clean cotton cloth, then rinse clean with water. Given the high vitamin C content, in addition to potassium, sulphur, phosphorus and choline, the extracted juice “cleanser” also benefits acneic and mature skins. This treatment effectively removes excess oil, dirt and bacteria from your skin leaving it feeling soft and looking fresh and rejuvenated.

A cold compress of finely grated raw potato pulp wrapped in cheese cloth or thinly sliced potato can be nestled over the eyes to relieve puffiness, fatigue and minimize dark circles. Leave on for 15-30 minutes.

The juice of potato is also a beneficial treatment for burns, bruises, sprains, and a range of skin ailments.

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