Turmeric in Skincare
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a root that is commonly used as a powder in various foods and holistic medicines.
It originated in the Indian subcontinent and is now widely distributed throughout South Asia. Due to its strong smell and color, turmeric is rarely used in skincare products without processing.
Turmeric has significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making it a great choice for many skincare products.
This ingredient has also been traditionally used to speed up wound healing and treat burns. Unless you are allergic to turmeric, it does not pose a threat to skin health.
Find out if turmeric is right for your skin type!
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a root native to South Asia that is commonly ground, dried, and used as a spice in foods or as an additive in holistic medicines.
In skincare, this ingredient is found in many products, such as anti-inflammatory moisturizers, acne-fighting cleansers, and even various antioxidant products used to treat sunburn.
This ingredient has a strong yellow hue and is often seen in products. Usually only curcumin extracts are used, as its benefits in plants have been most well studied.
Turmeric is one of the most studied spices in the skin care field and has many traditional uses in skin care and holistic medicine.
What does turmeric do?
Most current research suggests that the main reason for turmeric’s skin care benefits is its active ingredient, curcumin.
Studies have shown that curcumin has significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties (3).
Curcumin is a fat-soluble compound, or h. It breaks down in oily environments, such as the face of oily skin, where it works. (4)
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are often attributed to curcumin.
Studies have shown that curcumin can reduce the effectiveness of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B), thereby speeding up wound healing and theoretically slowing the development of cancer cells. (5,6)
Both turmeric and curcumin have been shown to have anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, and even anti-HIV properties. (7)
Research shows that curcumin has stronger anti-inflammatory effects than ibuprofen and also has strong antioxidant properties. (8)
The ingredient contains other active ingredients such as curcumin 2, curcumin 3, and curcumin 4; of all the active ingredients, curcumin 1 (abbreviated as “curcumin”) is the most studied. (9)
All of these studies show that turmeric is an extremely valuable skin care ingredient with few risks other than allergies.
Take our quiz to find out if turmeric is right for your skin type!
Is turmeric good for skin?
Turmeric is suitable for most skin types because it can reduce inflammation, kill acne-causing bacteria, and eliminate free radicals that can cause permanent genetic damage to the skin.
Some studies have also shown that using turmeric can promote the synthesis of collagen, an important structural component of the skin. (10)
This ingredient is safe for oily skin because it is non-comedogenic, which means it will not clog pores and reduce the risk of acne.
Even dry skin can use turmeric without hesitation because it neither strips the skin of sebum nor inhibits sebum production.
Studies have shown that curcumin is effective at binding free radicals that cause wrinkles and other permanent skin damage. (15)
Some studies have even shown that turmeric has skin-lightening effects, making it beneficial for treating hyperpigmentation. (11)
Turmeric is a versatile and useful ingredient in cosmetic skin care products that is safe and beneficial for most skin types.
Is it safe?
Many independent research organizations have deemed turmeric safe for use in skin care products. (12)
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) classifies turmeric as extremely safe with no known risks.
If you are looking for an all-in-one ingredient that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and hyperpigmentation-treating properties, then you should know that turmeric is a scientifically proven safe candidate.
Side Effects
There are currently no studies that have shown significant side effects from using turmeric for skin care. (13, 14)
The only real risk of using turmeric in topical skin care is allergies, but allergies are extremely rare for this ingredient. (14)
The only reason turmeric is not widely used in skin care is because of its yellow color and strong odor, which can be unpleasant in some cases.
Turmeric for Acne
Ingredients with antibacterial properties, such as turmeric, are great for treating and preventing acne. (17)
Acne is often caused by a combination of clogged pores and associated bacterial growth on the face. Since turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, pores are less likely to become clogged.
Additionally, killing bacteria on the skin can reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
Like many of the best acne prevention ingredients, turmeric itself will not clog pores or make the skin greasy.
If you suffer from or are prone to acne, turmeric/curcumin products can be a great addition to your personal skincare routine.
If Inflammation is a Problem
Research shows that turmeric inhibits inflammation through multiple mechanisms of action, including inhibiting the formation of leukotrienes. (16)
Turmeric may even be more effective at fighting inflammation than ibuprofen. (8)
Inflammation can lead to a variety of skin problems, including redness, itching, swelling, and clogged pores. Turmeric can be a great ingredient in skincare products for sensitive and inflamed skin.
Turmeric fights sun damage
Fighting sun damage
Turmeric is often great for treating sunburns because it is rich in curcumin, a potent antioxidant. (15) Sunburn can take many forms, ranging from flaking skin to redness or facial wrinkles.
Research shows that turmeric, as a pigment in clothing, is an excellent UV blocker. (19)
When applied topically, antioxidants like turmeric can bind to free radicals caused by UVB radiation, preventing them from causing genetic damage.
Genetic damage caused by free radicals can lead to many types of cancer.
For this purpose, antioxidants such as curcumin or vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, etc. are recommended.
A comprehensive list of antioxidant ingredients in skin care products can be found in our glossary on this topic.
For pigmentation
Research shows that turmeric is an effective ingredient for treating pigmentation such as melasma. (18)
Studies show that curcumin, the most important component of turmeric, is also an effective tyrosinase inhibitor. (19)
Turmeric alone is not an adequate treatment for pigmentation. However, it has been shown to be effective when combined with other ingredients.
The best turmeric products
Here are some dermatologist-recommended products containing turmeric or curcumin:
Take our quiz to find the best products for your skin type!
We help you develop your own skin care routine.
