Potay-toe, Poh-tah-toe: My Weekend Rabbit Hole Into All Things Spud

From puffiness to pigmentation: what potatoes can actually do for your skin

Hello, Gorgeous!

My calendar reminded me that today is International Day of Potato. That inspired me, so I thought I was just going to write a quick post about the benefits of potatoes for skincare (you know, the classic under-eye thing), but three hours later I've discovered a whole world of potato-y goodness that I never knew existed. And honestly? I'm kind of obsessed. Incidentally, National Potato Day is on August 19th so we can gather for potato skins and French fries then.

The potato rabbit hole

It all started when I remembered that potatoes can help with puffiness around your eyes. But then I kept digging and discovered they're also packed with vitamin C for brightening dark circles, gentle acids for exfoliation, and anti-inflammatory compounds that can soothe everything from acne to sunburn. Potato starch naturally absorbs excess oil too, which is perfect if I’m you're dealing with that T-zone situation.

But here's where it gets really interesting: actual beauty brands are finally catching on to what grandmas have known forever.

The potato peel that's got everyone talking

Beekman 1802's Potato Peel is marketed as the first-ever gentle potato peel. It combines potato pulp with goat milk and acids for brightening without the usual irritation you get from peels. Another cool detail (especially for those with sensitive skin), potato pulp allows vitamin C to be formulated into an acid peel without destabilizing it ($49 at beekman1802.com).

Sweeter than sweet potato pie

AMBI's Even & Clear collection, features something called a "Sweet Potato Complex™" in their cleansers which some people say helps even with their acne scars ($6.80, Amazon). And Glamveda has a whole Potato Face Wash that targets pigmentation and is enriched with potato extracts and B vitamins ($99, Glamveda.com). Even spas are getting in on the action with potato-based enzyme treatments, though honestly, I'm still trying to figure out which ones actually offer them vs. just adding some grated potato to their regular fruit enzyme peels.

Sweet meets salty perfection

While I was deep in this potato research hole, I discovered that chocolate-covered potato chips are having a serious moment. It seems like the world is finally catching up to my decades-long obsession. Asher's Chocolates does thick-cut, rippled chips dipped in their signature milk chocolate for around $20 (8.5 oz at ashers.com). But Old Kentucky Chocolates might win for sophistication—they top theirs with pink Himalayan sea salt (oldkycandy.com). I’ll be honest, the BEST chocolate covered potato chips I’ve ever tasted were at JoMart in Brooklyn. They do a ridiculously delicious Potato Chip Chocolate Bar ($7, jomartchocolates.com). Come to think of it, JoMart does the best chocolate anything.

Emotional support potatoes

Please don’t ever say I didn’t warn you. Etsy has an entire section of emotional support potatoes (prices vary, Etsy.com) with endearing messages to make you feel better about…well…about relying on an emotional support potato! Meanwhile, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Search potato gift on Etsy and prepare to lose an hour of your life to the cuteness and weirdness of things like potato soap.

Raw is best

The key with adding potatoes to your skincare? Always use raw (cooking breaks down all the good stuff) and patch test first. Some people can be allergic to the patatin protein found in spuds, so better safe than sorry.

But honestly, after falling down this particular internet rabbit hole, I'm convinced that potatoes might just be the most underrated ingredient in both our kitchens and our beauty routines. Who knew?

P.S. This would be a great time to reread The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

What's the weirdest beauty ingredient rabbit hole you've fallen down lately? Let’s meet in the comment section to discuss.

Rachel, Your beauty concierge 💋