Home remedies and inexpensive kitchen ingredients have observed a significant boost in their popularity as a part of essential skin and hair care rituals. Cucumber, Honey and Turmeric milk are perhaps some of the more commonly heard kitchen ingredients that have been making our lives easier for several years now. One such kitchen ingredient that has taken the beauty and natural skincare arena by a storm is potato starch. Potato starch, as the name suggests, is the starch extracted from potatoes. Numerous skincare benefits can be derived from the medicinal root. This article will help you explore some of these essential benefits and tell you how to incorporate them within your everyday regime.
Health Benefits of Potato Starch
Though potatoes have more often than not been demonized within the popular culture due to their carbohydrate-rich composition, they have several health benefits as well that mustn't be overlooked. Most of these benefits are derived from potato starch. Therefore, we shall now take a look at the various health benefits of potato starch;
1. Regulates Blood Sugar
The starch present in potatoes is a kind of resistant starch that can act as a fiber. This potato starch, when in the gut, helps restore the pH. Also, owing to its ability to improve insulin sensitivity, Potato Starch can help lower blood sugar levels.
2. Improves the Skin Tone
If you desire to have your skin reveal a stunning radiance and sheen, then potato starch masks with their ability to fight signs of premature ageing can work miracles for you. Add a little bit of honey and lemon to the starchy mix and let your skin bask in the benefits of potatoes.
3. Detoxifies the Body
With its high levels of phosphorous, Potato Starch can flush out toxins from the body. Phosphorous happens to be an electrolyte that also creates the optimum balance of uric acid levels and water within the body, thus helping the kidneys eliminate toxins better.
4. Acne Skin Care
Benefits of Potatoes for acne scars cannot be stressed enough. Several types of clinical research have insisted that potatoes can help reduce the appearance of blemishes and acne scars on the skin. The anti-inflammatory benefit of potato for skin acne is another factor that plays in to help make potato an effective anti-acne ingredient.
5. Anti-Aging properties
Potatoes can help you retain your youthful glow. The nutrients present within Potato skin help reduce signs of premature ageing. These nutrients help boost collagen production in the skin, thereby improving overall skin health.
6. Removes Dark Spots
The ability of Potatoes to remove dark spots and de-pigment hyperpigmented skin is perhaps one of the most talked about. Most home remedies mix Potato with other Vitamin C rich components to help even skin tone. This benefit of potatoes for skin lightening will perhaps get you to move potatoes from your pantry to your dressing table.
7. Removes Dead Skin Cells
Potato starch helps buff away dead skin cells by gently exfoliating the skin. Dead skin cells tend to clog pores, which can eventually result in acne breakouts and leave scars. Potatoes can help remove these dead skin cells, thus rejuvenating your face.
Potato Starch can be used along with ingredients naturally rich in Hydroxy acids, like tomatoes and berries, for better skin results. Since we have brought forth Hydroxy acids into the skincare pallet, it becomes crucial to explain precisely what these AHA's & BHA's are and how one stands to benefit from them.
What are AHA & BHA?
AHA's (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and BHA's (Beta Hydroxy Acid) are two types of hydroxy acids with varying skin benefits. The main purpose that both of these hydroxy acids serve is that of cleaning away dead skin cells from the topmost layers to exfoliate the skin. Every other benefit that can be derived from AHA & BHA is in fact a byproduct of this exfoliating property. Depending on the concentration, a related product may remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, or it may remove the whole outermost layer.
Alpha Hydroxy acids are generally naturally found within fruits. Tomatoes are also a rich source of Hydroxy acids. They can help peel away the topmost surface of your skin such that new, and more evenly pigmented cells from underneath can emerge and replace them, giving your skin a naturally flawless look. The skin tends to become a lot smoother to touch once it has contacted these hydroxy acids.
Beta Hydroxy acids are oil-soluble. Unlike their alpha counterparts, BHA's can get deeper into the skin and draw out the excess sebum present within the layer's underneath. The acne skin care, therefore, becomes easier with products rich in BHAs. Salicylic acid is also a type of BHA that is heard of reasonably often, especially in acne skin care due to its anti-bacterial properties.
Therefore, people looking to heal concerns like skin damage caused by prolonged exposure will tend to focus singularly on AHA based products. In contrast, those looking for acne skincare might opt for BHA rich products instead.
Benefits of AHA & BHA
Both AHA's & BHA's come with a fair share of benefits, but for now, we shall be looking at some common benefits that both of these can provide either individually or in perfect unison with one another;
1. Reduces skin inflammation
Skin inflammation is at the underlying root of several skin concerns, including acne. These hydroxy acids can fight, relieve rashes and soothe the skin.
2. Visibly lightens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
The anti-ageing properties of hydroxy acids are widely renowned. The appearance of signs of premature ageing can be reversed significantly by the regular usage of natural skincare ingredients rich in these essential acids.
3. Promotes production of Collagen
Collagen has a major role to play in keeping the skin looking youthful, healthy and plump. Often prolonged sun exposure can result in reduced collagen production. By getting rid of the old and decaying collagen fibres, AHA can boost collagen production.
4. Removes dead skin cells
The basic and most primary function of AHA is to exfoliate skin. Most other tasks that the hydroxy acids serve are, in fact, a byproduct of this function.
5. Unclogs pores to prevent acne
The previous property of removing dead skin cells also comes in handy when it comes to unclogging pores and reducing pore size. Clear pores help prevent breakouts.
6. Evens out your skin tone
Another twin benefit that is a direct consequence of buffing away the layer of dead skin cells is that the new skin underneath is generally less prone to external damage, thus giving your skin an overall flawless look and even tone.
Precautions to keep in mind
- Do not use AHA BHA containing serum in combination with other acids.
- Do not mix these potent Hydroxy acids with Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid/ Ethylated Ascorbic acid)
- Do not use in Combination with Peptides/ Retinoids
- Avoid using in Combination with EUK 134.01% (Antioxidant)
Incorporate Potato Starch in your skincare with TAC
TAC has introduced several ayurvedic products with naturally derived AHA, BHA with potato starch & tomato extracts to make your organic skincare regime a tad less tedious. Now you can add your favourite, all-natural kitchen ingredients into your skincare routine minus all the hassle. Let's take a look at some of these:
1. Potato Starch with Babchi & HA Collagen Boosting Under Eye Gel Creme
This thin skin area around the eyes makes it extremely delicate and vulnerable to skin reaction. TAC's potato starch-rich under eye gel creme is infused with Hyaluronic Acid & Retinol to revitalize skin tissues and shield the skin from irritants. Potato starch extracts present in this under eye gel minimize the appearance of wrinkles and tackles other skin concerns like dark circles and pigmentation. Give your sensitive under-eye regions some gentle care to prevent them from ever turning puffy again.
2. Potato Starch & Tomato with AHA & BHA Face Toner
This Potato Starch & Tomato Extracts infused AHA BHA face toner is a fantastic skin rejuvenator and helps to impart a tighter, firmer look. A gentle spritz of the AHA BHA face toner on your face and neck in generous volumes would be enough for everyday use. The naturally derived hydroxy acids present in this AHA BHA toner help deeply cleanse your prose, thereby visibly reducing their size and making the skin appear tighter and a lot more youthful. The cleansing properties of this toner also help essential nutrients penetrate deep within the skin for enhanced benefit.
3. Potato Starch & Tomato with AHA & BHA Face Serum
Potato Starch & Tomato Extracts with plant-derived hydroxy acids infused within this AHA & BHA Face Serum help unleash radiant & dewy skin from underneath by gently removing the dead skin cells deposited over the top skin layer. Regular use of this skin peeling serum is bound to hydrate your skin, promote skin elasticity & give you a more even tone look and smooth complexion. The AHA & BHA serum helps seal skin moisture, thereby preventing environmental contaminants from entering the skin dermis and protecting it against external damage.
What are you waiting for? Go ahead and revel in the goodness of your favourite vegetable of all!
