Benefits Of Turmeric For Skin. Plus, How To Use It
Turmeric is well known for its many health benefits, but did you know that it can also help your skin? Here are the benefits of turmeric for skin, how to use it, and home remedies to try. Learn how to cleanse, nourish, and soothe your skin with this amazing herbal remedy.
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for at least 4,000 years. It is a perennial herb and a member of the ginger family. Tumeric grows in India and other Southwest Asian countries. The rhizome (root) is the most useful part of the plant and is used for cooking, medicine, and as a dye. The dried root is ground into a fine powder to form turmeric spice.
The most active component of turmeric is curcumin, which makes up 2 to 5% of the spice. It has many medicinal and health benefits. Curcumin is a phytonutrient that contains anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to be comparable to many drugs on the market.
Properties Of Turmeric
Anti-inflammatory- used to reduce inflammation.
Antioxidant- a substance that inhibits oxidation.
Antimicrobial- an agent that kills microorganisms or stops their growth.
Antibacterial- active against bacteria.
Turmeric Benefits
Turmeric has been prescribed by Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda practitioners for thousands of years. Here are some of the health benefits of turmeric:
Reduces inflammation
A natural pain reliever
Detoxifying
Soothes inflammatory bowel syndrome
Helps depression
Relieves gingivitis
Improves brain function
Lowers high cholesterol
Helps increase circulation
May prevent blood clots
Ease joint pain
Promotes skin health
Benefits Of Tumeric For Skin
Here are the benefits of turmeric for skin:
Heals Wounds
Due to the anti-inflammatory properties found in curcumin, turmeric can be used to help heal wounds. Curcumin also helps your wounds heal more quickly. Using turmeric powder topically is best for wound healing.
Helps Dermatitis
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric can help control flares and other symptoms of psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and skin rashes.
Reduces Acne And Acne Scars
The anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of turmeric help reduce acne and acne scars. Turmeric powder helps calm the skin, heal acne breakouts, and reduced scarring. It also reduces excess oil production helping your face clear from acne breakouts.
Helps Aging Skin
The potent antioxidants in turmeric help protect your skin against environmental stressors. Using turmeric topically can help combat the signs of premature aging. The antioxidants also help slow down cell damage and even out skin tone.
Great For Sensitive Skin
Turmeric is gentle and good for sensitive skin. It is a powerhouse of mineral and antioxidant-rich properties that are soothing and calming for delicate skin. It provides nourishment to skin that is more reactive.
How To Use Turmeric For Skin
To get the benefits of turmeric for skin, you can use topical skin care or ingest orally. One way isn’t better than the next, so find what resonates with you. Try a few then pick one and stick with it. Or change it up daily. Mask one day, drink tea the next, and so on. Personally, I like mixing it up and change daily how I use turmeric for my skin.
Topically
Here are some ways to use turmeric topically for your skin.
Face Mask
If you have acne-prone skin, applying a DIY face mask with turmeric powder can help clear your skin. Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, I use turmeric in the face masks I blend up for my clients. Just be sure to avoid getting the mask on your clothes as it can stain them.
A little bit goes a long way, so just a pinch of honey or yogurt will help prevent the mask from turning your skin yellow. But, don’t fear if it does. It is temporary and can be removed by mild soap.
Turmeric Face Mask Recipe
Here is the mask I use on my clients:
Ingredients:
Drizzle of honey
1 tablespoon plain yogurt
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Directions:
Wash face and hands to cleanse the skin
Mix the turmeric powder with the honey, apple cider vinegar, and yogurt in a small bowl. Stir until well blended but be careful not to overdo it where it becomes thin and drips.
Apply the mask to the face, avoiding your eyes.
Sit back, relax, and let the mask sit for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse off with warm water.
Apply your favorite toner and moisturizer
Cover any leftovers and store in your fridge for up to a week. Apply the mask once or twice a week for best results.
Spot Treatment
Spot treatment is another popular way to use turmeric for the skin. Mixing a pinch of turmeric powder with lemon juice will help even out skin tone, calm inflamed skin, and reduce the appearance of acne scars.
Besides the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric, lemon juice has antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties. Mix one part lemon juice to ½ part turmeric powder, form a paste, and apply to problem areas with a Q-tip. Leave on 10-15 minutes and rinse off with cool water. A little bit goes a long way, so applying a lot to the area is not necessary. It’s best to just cover the spot being treated to avoid staining the skin around it.
Use Products With Turmeric
Not really into making your own skin care? Use skin care products formulated with turmeric instead. Many skin care products are infused with turmeric, including cleansers, masks, toners, and exfoliants.
Eating Turmeric For Skin
If you don’t want the mess of making your own skin care and home remedies that can stain, reap the benefits of turmeric for skin orally.
Keep in mind that when using turmeric orally, it is best to include black pepper with it. This is because black pepper contains piperine, which has been shown to increase the absorption and effects of turmeric. When using turmeric, add a little black pepper as well.
Here are some great ways to get turmeric in your diet:
Drink Turmeric Milk
This is my favorite way to ingest turmeric. Turmeric milk is actually quite delicious and a great way to treat the skin from the inside out. You can make your own golden milk spice blend or buy a premade one. Just add some of the spice to the milk of your choice (doesn’t have to be dairy. I use almond milk or cashew milk) and warm on the stovetop or microwave. That’s it. Sit back and enjoy.
Find the recipe here.
Turmeric Broth
You can make turmeric broth if you don’t like a warm milk drink. Just heat up any broth of your choice and add black pepper, turmeric, garlic, ginger, and apple cider vinegar. Add to soaps as a base or enjoy a cup by itself.
Turmeric Broth Recipe
Here is the recipe I use from Wellness Mama:
Ingredients:
4 cups of broth
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder or freshly grated turmeric
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 tablespoon of finely grated fresh ginger optional
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon each of cumin, black pepper, and salt
Directions:
First, place all the ingredients in a small saucepan
Then, simmer the mixture for about five minutes
Finally, blend with an immersion blender (optional) and enjoy
Notes
Any herbs or spices work and can change up the flavor of this recipe.
Take A Turmeric Supplement
If you don’t like the taste of turmeric, you can easily take a supplement to help get the benefits of turmeric for the skin. Be sure to follow the dosing instructions on the bottle. Start with less to see how your body responds and slowly increase to the suggested dosage.
Add Turmeric To Your Food
Ok, this is pretty easy to do and one I do almost daily. To get the benefits of turmeric for skin, simply add some to the food you are cooking. Add a dash into your morning smoothie or sprinkle some onto your steamed vegetables. Turmeric is the main ingredient in curry and adds so much flavor to your food. Turmeric is almost used as much as my salt and pepper. It’s a staple in my kitchen.
Drink Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea is a great way to benefit from its medicinal properties. Most grocery stores or online suppliers have turmeric tea in either loose tea blends or easy-to-use teabags. Have a cup of tea daily to reap the benefits of turmeric for the skin.
Side Effects And Risks
Turmeric can react with certain medications, so discuss with a doctor before use if you are taking any prescription medications.
When applied to the skin, turmeric can temporarily stain the skin or leave a yellow residue. This is totally normal and caused by the strong yellow-orange pigment of the spice.
Some people are allergic to turmeric. If you are one of them, direct skin contact can cause irritation, redness, and swelling. Stop using and talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. It is best to do a patch test a dime-sized amount on your forearm and wait 24-48 hours to see if you have an adverse reaction before using it on your face. If you know you are allergic to turmeric in your food, then do not use it on your skin.
Avoid taking too much turmeric. Taking high doses can cause stomach issues. Taking too much turmeric has been observed to cause nausea, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and increased menstrual flow. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using them and seek advice from your doctor.
Bottom Line
Turmeric has many benefits for the skin, including helping to calm inflammation, healing, and soothing. It helps boost healthy, clear, and balanced skin. When introducing turmeric into your diet and skin care routine, be sure to use caution when deciding if it is something you should use. Pay attention to how your body responds and talk to your doctor if you have any negative side effects. If you respond well to turmeric, it is a great herbal remedy for treating your skin, especially if you are prone to acne.
Sources: Curcumin — Biological and Medicinal Properties, Turmeric, Turmeric: 4 Ways This Golden Root Is Great For Your Skin
