Potato For Acne – Does The Viral Tik Tok Hack Work?

The most pressing concern among the young generation especially young women and girls is acne and dark spots.

It starts as a dark patch on the skin. It becomes difficult for the individual with dark spots and acne issues to go out in public with confidence.

A lot of people ask, does potato help with acne? Can potatoes help In reducing acne scars? 

I asked a few skincare experts their opinion on potatoes for treating scars.

Ashley Holladay, Senior Editor of SkincareLab says – “A new pimple treatment is going viral on Tiktok. But it’s not what you would expect. This DIY acne treatment uses potatoes as a way to vanish pesky pimples.“

Here is what he thinks about the benefits of potato for acne –

“The acne benefits of potatoes aren’t clinically proven. But there are a few reasons why potato may help acne and blemishes:

• Starch: The starch in potatoes can help absorb excess oil in the skin and help calm inflammation.
• Vitamin C: Potatoes contain vitamin C which can help even tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation caused by acne.
• Anti-inflammatory properties: One study found that potato glycoalkaloids had anti-inflammatory effects on mice, which may help calm the skin with conditions such as acne. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23454444/)
• Salicylic acid: Potatoes contain salicylic acid, which is a proven acne treatment ingredient. It can help shed off dead skin cells to deeply clean pores. (https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article/115/2/343/6071274)“

How Potato Can Benefit Your Skin

Potatoes are a natural, healthy option for skincare!

According to Dr. Ahmad Fayyaz Chaudhry M.B.B.S, medical reviewer and author at Scandinavian Biolabs –  “potatoes are enriched in potassium, vitamin C, iron, vitamin B6, and an enzyme called catecholase”.

“These vitamins and minerals play an important role in skin nourishment. They promote skin glowing, impart a fresh look to the skin and prevent aging effects.“, he says.

“The anti-inflammatory effects of Vitamin C  prevent acne formation”, explains Dr. Ahmad Fayyaz Chaudhry.

“Furthermore, the presence of the catecholase enzyme in potatoes helps in acne scar healing and skin regeneration“, he says. (James V. Gruber, 2013)”

According to Taylor, skincare expert, and owner of RadiantSkincare – “Potatoes may brighten and calm your skin. Potatoes contain Vitamin C, a well-known skin-brightener, as well as an enzyme called catecholase, which may brighten skin and remove dark patches.“

She further adds – “Its PH level helps in balancing oil production, which may benefit acne sufferers. They also contain glycoalkaloids, which may have the potential to reduce inflammation in the skin.“

Related Read: The Best Ways To Use Potato For Face

Can Potato Help In Reducing Acne Scars?

Acne is caused by skin inflammation, which may be influenced by cytokines [1].

Potato CAN help get rid of acne scars. It can be used as a toner or blend along with any of your face masks, or freeze it to ice cubes and use it on your skin once it sets. Let us see how exactly is raw potato so useful.

“Potatoes have anti-inflammatory properties that tackle ailments like acne. They can be used in the form of face masks or simply by eating them with food“, says Dr. Ahmad Fayyaz Chaudhry M.B.B.S.

How To Use Potato For Acne?

Acne is caused by clogged pores, which are a result of the overproduction of sebum and the presence of bacteria. The aim is to kill these bacteria and remove them from the face.

Potato can be used in a variety of ways to do treat acne.

“They work better when taken with food because their anti-inflammatory ingredients get absorbed in the blood and work internally to control acne. (Nasri et al., 2015).”, says Dr. Ahmad Fayyaz Chaudhry M.B.B.S.

According to Ashley Holladay, “It’s natural to wonder, what’s the best way to use potatoes for acne? The trend on TikTok uses a half of a potato tapped to the face. This technique is used for application at night.“

“Applying tape to the skin isn’t the best approach to use since it can damage the surrounding skin“, he warns.

“Consider blending or mincing a peeled potato to use as a face mask. This is more effective for targeting a larger area of the face and it avoids applying tape directly to the skin“, says Ashley.

Method 1: Potato Slices

Let’s see how you can use a potato slice on the face for acne scars.

First, you will need a potato. Peel the potato and cut it into circular pieces.

“You can de-poof under-eye swelling by putting a potato slice there“, says Taylor.

“You can also cut a potato into small chunks and peel the skin (wash the potato whole, before you cut it) and mash it up into a paste to put on your skin for 10 minutes“, she continues.

“Rub it in gently, focusing on high-needs areas. Wash off with water or a cleanser. This is a nutritious mask, as potatoes contain Vitamin C, B1, B3, and B6, and magnesium“, explains Taylor.

Method 2: Potato Lemon Face Mask

For the second method, you will have to prepare a potato face mask for acne scars.

First, you will need to grind a potato in a mixer. Do not use any water while doing this. Take out the potato juice by straining it. Now squeeze half a lemon into the potato juice.

Dip a cotton pad into this mixture and apply it to your face. Potato juice removes blemishes and makes your skin fairer. It also removes wrinkles and is very effective in the removal of dark spots.

By using this potato face mask, you can completely remove the acne spots from your face and also achieve clear and glowing skin.

“It is important to note that when you use potatoes in the form of face masks, keep the mask on the skin for at least 30 minutes for maximum effects“, says Dr. Ahmad Fayyaz Chaudhry M.B.B.S.

Things To Keep In Mind

According to Ashley Holladay – “Potatoes contain properties that may help acne and reduce the inflammation caused by acne. However, it’s not an FDA-approved acne treatment.“

“It may help with mild acne, but it likely won’t compare to the tested and proven acne treatment products available. Those who have cystic, nodal, or severe acne should consult with a dermatologist before trying any at-home acne treatments“, says Taylor.

Who Should And Should Not Try This?

For occasional pimples, potatoes may be the DIY hack you’re looking for.

When it comes to dealing with acne long-term, though? You should seek a dermatologist-designed treatment plan instead of trying to use potatoes.

“Folks suffering from systemic, cystic, or otherwise severe acne should work with a dermatologist for treatment instead of relying on a DIY method“, says Taylor.

“Those with mild acne can try out the potatoes and see if it works for them. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor no matter what DIY remedy you try“, she continues. 

One study found that there is an association between potato sensitivities and latex allergies thanks to patatin – which can cause both types of allergy – so if you are known to have either type don’t use raw potatoes on your skin!

Alternative Home Remedies For Acne

Potato is just one of the natural ingredients that can help treat acne.

Dr. Ahmad Fayyaz Chaudhry suggests some more remedies to tackle acne scars –

• Exercise daily for about 30 minutes.
• Scrub the skin daily with a good quality product.
• Eat less sugar and dairy products.
• Apply aloe vera on the skin twice a day.
• Take green tea instead of regular black tea.
• Make a mask of honey and cinnamon and apply it over the skin daily.

Skincare expert Taylor personally loves the oil cleansing method, which you can read about on his blog: Oil and Acne › Radiant Skincare.

Final Thoughts On Using Potato For Acne

So, you’re looking for acne treatment and have been trying everything. There’s a new natural way to treat your acne with potatoes!

The potato is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which will help heal breakouts on the skin. Potatoes also contain alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin E which are all beneficial for treating acne.

The best part about using this method is that it can be used by anyone at any age because there are no side effects or harmful chemicals like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in potatoes.

You might try applying mashed-up raw potato on your face as a mask every night before bedtime just like you would use any other night mask.

There ya go!

Did you like these super-simple remedies to use potatoes for acne? Don’t forget to comment below if you did :).