Remarkable Benefits Of Turmeric For Skin Care

Why Turmeric Is Such a Popular Search Term

Read about The Remarkable Benefits Of Turmeric For Skin Care and see why this ingredient has become one of the worlds most popular search terms and why so many skin care brands are using it in their products.

Turmeric has had a rocket increase in interest and Google searches show a dramatic rise recently. While turmeric was previously a sustained rising trend, interest in this functional ingredient grew +56% from November 2015 to January 2016 this year—making it a rising star.

Dr Alek Nikolic recently wrote a small snippet on turmeric in an article entitled Anti-Ageing Superstars so here is a more in depth analysis of turmeric and how to use it with at home applications for the skin.

Turmeric, also known as ‘haldi’ in India, is a popular deep yellow, earthy spice that’s probably best known for its association with curries and mustards. Considered a herbal remedy due to its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties, Turmeric carries with it amazing medicinal benefits and is used to decrease depression, Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia, headaches, diabetes, allergies, arthritis and other chronic illnesses.

Studies have also shown that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric that’s responsible for the spice’s dark yellow colour, may block cancer growth and decrease tumour size. In addition, turmeric naturally detoxifies the liver. (When your liver is hampered with toxins, your skin appears puffy and congested.)

Aside from helping to alleviate health issues, Turmeric has also been utilized in many beauty products over the centuries. Its anti-inflammatory powers are used to reduce the signs of aging, exfoliate dead skin, clear the skin and ease eczema.

With the seemingly countless benefits of turmeric, here are some great uses of the ‘magic spice’ for not only flawless skin, but amazing hair and health.

Turmeric For Skin Care

Treatment of Acne

Turmeric is effective in the treatment of acne due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties which fight pimples and breakouts to provide a youthful glow to your skin. Turmeric face mask not only helps to clear acne scars and inflammation but also reduces oil secretion by sebaceous glands. You can prepare a face pack by mixing turmeric powder and sandalwood powder to the mixture. Apply it on your face for 10 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. For acne scars, a more invasive treatment may be necessary so please check How to Treat Red Marks & Acne Scars for further info.

Facial Mask for Oily Skin

Turmeric is beneficial for oily skin as it regulates the production of sebum, an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands. Sandalwood acts as an astringent and orange juice being a source of vitamin C, helps to clear the blemishes. For oily skin, make a paste by mixing 1 ½ tablespoons of sandalwood powder and a pinch of ground turmeric with 3 tablespoons of orange juice and apply it on your face. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.

Facial Mask for Dry Skin

If you have dry skin, you can make a face mask by combining 1 egg white, 2 drops of olive oil, and rose water and a pinch of turmeric. This can be applied to all dry areas such as face, neck, elbows and knees. Allow it to dry completely and then wash off with warm water.

Treatment of Wrinkles

Turmeric in combination with other ingredients is effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. You can prepare a face pack by mixing turmeric powder and rice powder with raw milk and tomato juice and apply it on your face and neck for 30 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water. This will reduce wrinkles as well as brighten your skin. If you have dark circles, you can add a pinch of turmeric to 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and apply it around your eyes for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water.

Signs of Aging

Being an excellent exfoliating agent, turmeric can help eliminate signs of aging. You can make a paste by mixing besan (gram flour) and turmeric powder in equal proportions with water. This paste can also be prepared in raw milk or even yoghurt. Apply it evenly on your body and allow it to dry. Rinse off with lukewarm water and scrub your face gently in circular motion.

Treatment of Stretch Marks

Turmeric can help lighten stretch marks. For this purpose, apply a mixture of besan (gram flour) and turmeric with yoghurt/raw milk/ water on the stretch marks.

Reduction of Skin Pigmentation and Skin Tanning

To remove skin tanning and pigmentation, apply a mixture of turmeric powder and cucumber juice on the affected area for 20-30 minutes and wash off with plain water. This should be done regularly for beneficial results.

Treatment of Cracked Heels

I tend to prescribe NeoStrata’s Problem Dry Skin for cracked heels but here is a natural at home remedy: Turmeric is an excellent healing agent. If you have cracked heels, you can apply a mixture of 3 spoons of turmeric with a few drops of coconut or castor oil on your heels for 10 to 15 minutes before taking a bath. Doing this regularly will soften your heels.

Removes Dead Cells

Make a paste by mixing gram flour and turmeric with water and apply it on your body. Scrub gently while taking a bath. Doing this regularly can rid you of dead cells to give you a glowing and spotless skin. Applying a mixture of turmeric and milk on your face and lips can cleanse your face as well as act as a healing agent on your lips to treat dry and chapped lips.

Here’s a recipe for a homemade turmeric facial mask:

There are many variations for the recipe, but below you will find the basic recipe. Some add chickpea flower to thicken the paste or a little bit of lemon juice which helps to lighten the skin.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of turmeric

1 teaspoon of raw organic honey

1 teaspoon of milk (or natural yoghurt)

Optional ingredients to add: a few drops of tea tree essential oil if you suffer from acne

Put turmeric into a little bowl. Add honey (honey can be used to prepare other homemade honey face masks that you can make at home). Then add milk or yogurt. You can adjust the amount of milk to make the paste more or less thick, but make sure it’s a firm paste that will stick to your face. Turmeric is a dye and it can stain anything, so you don’t want it dripping off your face.

Face preparation

Wash your face with running water and remove all makeup. If your hair is long, tie it up at the back. Wear a T-shirt you are not too attached to, in case it gets stained.

Application of the Turmeric Face Mask

Apply the mask evenly all over your face. A spot you don’t want to miss is under the eyes, as turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the dark circles, which form as a result of vasoconstriction (narrowing of the vessels).

If you have any mask leftover, you can save it in the fridge for a few days and use it the next time.

Let the mask dry on your face. This means leaving it on for about 20 minutes and then washing it off with cool water. Dry your face gently with a cloth.

I hope you found this article useful and that you will consider adding turmeric to your skin care regime. Remember we have tested all our online doctor prescribed skin products at my cosmetic practice. If you have any skin questions let me know and please feel free to post any comments.

Kind regards

Samantha Nikolic

References Cited:

SkinMiles Products with Turmeric: