5 Great Benefits of Raw Potatoes for Your Skin

Just like cucumber, raw potato is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, and can help to brighten skin and get rid of bags under your eyes.
5 Great Benefits of Raw Potatoes for Your Skin
Valeria Sabater

Written and verified by psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Last update: 11 June, 2022

You might have never considered raw potatoes to be a beauty boon for your skin care. Nevertheless, it’s a wonderful resource that’s worth trying. When there are natural remedies to be found in a healthy household product, it’s always good to find out more.

We’re sure that you’ll find this information as useful as it is interesting. In this article, discover five great ways you can use a raw potato.

Raw potato as a beauty remedy

You may already know that potatoes are highly nutritious and rich in vegetable starch. It also contains large amounts of carbohydrates and vitamin C.

However, beyond it’s purely nutritional properties, people have also started making use of the cosmetic benefits of potato in recent years. It offers us a way to improve our daily beauty routine more naturally and without chemicals.

1. Say goodbye to dark circles

You’ve probably used those classic cucumber slices to reduce inflammation or dark circles around your eyes on more than one occasion. Cucumbers are a potent anti-inflammatory, as confirmed in this investigation carried out by the National University of Altiplano, Peru. However, when it comes to promoting circulation in this sensitive area, any products that are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C will work well.

Thanks to their high vitamin C content, raw potatoes are sensational when it comes to combating this issue. They stimulate circulation and are great for the cardiovascular system, according to this study by the Research Centers in Nutrition and Health, Spain.

We’ll explain how you can carry out this simple treatment.

What do you need?

  • 2 slices of raw potato, half an inch thick
  • 2 linen tissues
  • 1 mortar

What should you do?

  • First, peel the raw potato and cut into two slices, about half an inch thick.
  • Then, mash them using the mortar.
  • Place some of this raw potato paste in each tissue.
  • Apply it to your dark circles for 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Raw potatoes help remove facial spots

Raw Potatoes

One of the best known virtues of raw potatoes is their ability to reduce the impact or visibility of facial spots that are associated with ageing. This was confirmed in a study carried out by the University of Granada. Take a look at how to use this treatment:

What do you need?

  • One small, peeled potato
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (10 ml)

What should you do?

  • The first thing you need to do is finely grate the raw potatoes.
  • Do the same with the cucumber.
  • Mix these two vegetables in a bowl and add the tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
  • Mix well.
  • Next, use a cotton pad to apply this to your face as a mask and let it act for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • After the indicated amount of time, rinse well with warm water.

3. Combat skin ageing

Raw Potatoes

Factors such as sun exposure, dry skin, and lack of hydration in the epidermis are aspects that speed up the ageing process of your face. However, there is a simple way you can help combat this.

As stated in the University of Granada study mentioned in earlier, all you have to do is give yourself a mini facial massage using a slice of raw potato. Here’s how.

What do you need?

  • 1 slice of potato, an inch thick

What should you do?

  • This treatment is best performed at night.
  • The first thing you should do is wash your face well.
  • Next, use a circular massage to apply the raw slice of potato to your entire face.
  • Afterwards, just rinse with warm water and apply your regular moisturizer. It’s so easy!

4. They eliminate acne and pimples

Raw potato is rich in vitamin C and copper. According to an investigation published by Current Chemical Biology, copper is ideal for deep-cleaning the skin, eliminating toxins, and reducing acne and pimples. Vitamin C is mentioned in this study carried out by the Kunming University, China, as an effective way to treat acne and other skin diseases.

This simple treatment is really refreshing, and it’s worth applying every night. Take a look at how to do it:

What do you need?

  • 1 slice of potato, an inch thick

What should you do?

In this case, use the same treatment   for aging skin  as detailed above. However, instead of rinsing your face after the massage, leave it on to act overnight.

Here’s how:

  • First, wash your face well and remove any grease or makeup.
  • Next, apply the raw potato slice using a circular massage over your entire face.
  • Leave it on all night. The next morning, perform your usual daily cleansing ritual.

5. They’re ideal for brightening your skin

Raw Potatoes

Fatigue from a long day, having a bad night’s sleep, or even simple stress can extinguish the brightness in your face and make you look years older. To prevent this problem, the solution is to drink a little extra water, as shown in this report by the Spanish Society of Basic and Applied Nutrition, get better rest, and eat a balanced diet. You can also follow this simple raw potato treatment. You’ll love it.

What do you need?

  • 1 small, peeled potato
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (10 ml)

What should you do?

  • The first thing you need to do is grate the potato very finely.
  • Add the grated potato to a bowl and combine with the tablespoon of lemon juice.
  • Mix well.
  • Apply this at night. Use a cotton pad to apply it as you would a mask.
  • Leave it on for 15 or 20 minutes.
  • Rinse with warm water.

Are you ready to give these tips a try?


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.


  • Tudela, J. A., Espín, J. C., & Gil, M. I. (2002). Vitamin C retention in fresh-cut potatoes. Postharvest Biology and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(02)00002-9
  • Teow, C. C., Truong, V. Den, McFeeters, R. F., Thompson, R. L., Pecota, K. V., & Yencho, G. C. (2007). Antioxidant activities, phenolic and β-carotene contents of sweet potato genotypes with varying flesh colours. Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.09.033
  • Kenny, O. M., McCarthy, C. M., Brunton, N. P., Hossain, M. B., Rai, D. K., Collins, S. G., … O’Brien, N. M. (2013). Anti-inflammatory properties of potato glycoalkaloids in stimulated Jurkat and Raw 264.7 mouse macrophages. Life Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2013.02.006

This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.