From combating puffiness to reducing dark circles, here’s what potatoes can do for your under-eye area

Ladies, the solution to your under-eye problems is in your kitchen--namely in your vegetable basket. Because there ain’t nothing that the humble aloo can’t do
potato
Why opt for expensive skin treatments when you have potatoes? Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Sonakshi Kohli Updated: 17 Nov 2019, 16:10 pm IST
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From messy home remedies to injectable fillers and fancy eye creams—there’s nothing that we haven’t tried to make our under-eye area even-toned and non-puffy. 

After all, barring a few lucky ladies, most of us are plagued by dark circles and sometimes even puffy eyes—especially on long days when sleep is a pipe dream.

“Puffiness usually happens due to accumulation of fluid leading to enlargement of the under-eye area when there is no proper lymphatic drainage. This may be due to the overuse of computers and mobile screens,” points out Dr Prerna Taneja, laser specialist, medical cosmetologist, and CEO, Clinic Eximus in Delhi. 

Dark circles, on the other hand, might be caused by an iron or calcium deficiency, lack of sleep, stress, metabolic disorders, sun exposure, and well—your genes.

Potatoes to the rescue!

Obviously, if your under-eye area is suffering due to a serious underlying ailment, then only proper diagnosis and treatment by a professional can save you. But if it’s just due to lack of sleep, sun exposure, and so on–then, potatoes can provide some much-needed relief.

“Potatoes, when cut, release a substance called benzoquinone, which is a mild depigmenting agent and, can, therefore, help in the treatment of dark circles. It is also rich in vitamins C and A, which can help in nourishing the skin and reducing dark spots,” explains Dr Priyanka Reddy, dermatologist, technologist, and founder of DNA Skin Clinic in Bengaluru.

“Additionally, the starch content in potato helps in reducing the puffiness by tightening the skin. Since its surface is also cold, it reduces inflammation and puffiness using a constriction mechanism,” she adds.

Here’s how you can use the magical veggie to treat your under-eye area:

Dr Reddy suggests the following ways to effectively use potatoes to your advantage:

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1. Potato slices FTW!

Cut the potato into slices and refrigerate them. Take the cool slices and put them on your eyes until they turn warm.

2. Potato paste can also help!

Grate a potato and refrigerate the paste. Once it is cool, take it out, mix a little bit of honey, and make a masque. Apply it on the under-eye area and leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water.

3. Go “cold” with potato cubes

Make some potato juice by squeezing a grated potato. Transfer the juice to an ice tray and deep freeze it. Use the resultant cubes to massage your under-eye area regularly.

You can also add ingredients like honey, curd, and ground oat to this juice before freezing it for some added goodness.

4. Make a potato-cucumber combo

Combine the juices of potatoes and cucumbers to make an under-eye toner. Gently massage the concoction around your eyes in circular motions regularly.

But, consider this too…

Potatoes can also work as an astringent, which means you must use it on the under-eye area with caution, suggests Dr Taneja. 

Also, if despite the regular use of potatoes, puffy eyes and dark circles seem to stay put, then it is time to consult with a dermatologist. 

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