Why is turmeric good for your skin?
Ever since we first sipped on the golden milk latte in 2016, our love affair with turmeric has blossomed into a full-blown obsession. Yes, this wonderful spice has even made espresso-free lattes popular.
But seriously, turmeric is no longer just associated with delicious Indian cuisine, but has found its way into every aspect of our daily lives, from soothing an upset stomach to supplementing, clearing acne, and even whitening teeth. Since turmeric is one of the most scientifically studied herbs, its benefits are staggering.
So, why don’t we just dive in and take a deep dive into this living spice?
What is turmeric?
Turmeric powder is extracted from a variety of turmeric root native to Southeast Asia, known as Curcuma longa. The root contains a compound called curcumin, which gives the powder its characteristic bright yellow color and is a highly effective anti-inflammatory agent. Turmeric also has antimicrobial properties, can reduce pigmentation, treat stretch marks, and not to mention, is a very tasty addition to dishes. And that’s just the beginning of what this spice has to offer.
The health and beauty benefits of turmeric have been used for centuries in Eastern cultures, from cooking to making homemade face masks. Curcumin is so potent that there is nothing that this spice can’t cure. It wasn’t until recent years that Western cultures discovered the hidden wonders of this beauty potion, and today turmeric can be found in a variety of skin care products like serums, cleansers, toners, face masks, and more.
Now that I’ve got your attention, let’s continue our journey and see what benefits this ancient spice has for the skin.
What are the benefits of turmeric for skin?
A question that is easier to answer is how long is a piece of string. The benefits of turmeric are seemingly endless, and here are the main benefits of turmeric:
Turmeric is anti-inflammatory
Turmeric is rich in anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This means that it can fight eczema and rosacea by reducing redness and calming the skin during active flare-ups. By taking a turmeric supplement, you can relieve digestive issues and intestinal discomfort caused by inflammation, which means this spice will keep you looking and feeling beautiful from the inside out.
Turmeric Lightens Skin Pigmentation
Turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, is a powerful antioxidant that can reverse the signs of sun damage, such as dark spots and hyperpigmentation, by fighting environmental aggressors and free radicals. Unfortunately, UV damage can’t be completely corrected, but turmeric can lighten dark spots on your face, making them less noticeable. It does this by blocking more UV rays from reaching damaged skin cells, which then produce excess melanin, causing dark spots to appear darker. It’s easy to think of turmeric as a shield that protects pigmentation from the sun and reduces sun exposure, which can make pigmentation lighter.
Turmeric Lightens Dark Circles
Similar to what was mentioned previously, turmeric can help get rid of dark circles by lightening hyperpigmentation. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it can also stimulate blood circulation in the eye area, sometimes actually slowing it down. It can reduce signs of puffiness and dark circles while being gentle on the sensitive eye area.
Turmeric Soothes Dry Skin
Turmeric moisturizes the skin, rejuvenating the complexion and restoring a healthy glow. It does this by naturally speeding up the process of shedding dead skin cells and revealing fresh skin. The magic doesn’t stop there, the fresh layer of skin is protected from toxins, free radicals and other UV rays.
Turmeric Clears Skin Blemishes
Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent that can be a great help for blemished skin. The antimicrobial properties prevent the spread of bacteria, perfect for preventing unwanted spots, while the anti-inflammatory properties fight acne that is already active on the skin. Size and redness are reduced, and the healing process can begin.
Turmeric Reduces the Appearance of Stretch Marks
The antioxidant properties of turmeric can penetrate the skin and treat stretch marks. This is achieved by improving the function of the skin’s membrane cells, which are the layers of skin that show signs of scarring. By topically applying oil-based body care products enriched with curcumin, stretch marks can be reduced and skin can appear smoother.
Turmeric Speeds Up Skin Healing
Applying turmeric to broken skin, such as: B. cuts or even scars, will significantly speed up the healing time of your skin. Antimicrobial properties protect exposed wounds from bacteria that can cause infection, as scars take quite a while to heal.
These skin benefits are why you’ll find this clever herb in many skin care products that contain turmeric. You can also add some extra super-spice magic to your body by adding a supplement to your daily routine. However, as with all dietary supplements, it’s recommended to seek the help of a doctor before taking it.
How to Use Turmeric in Your Skin Care Routine
From cleansers to face masks, all skin care products have added this golden spice at least once. But before you raid your spice rack, you need to know that there is a difference between turmeric used in cooking and turmeric used in skin care products.
The amount of curcumin in everyday turmeric is very low at 2-9%, which has little effect on the skin. If anything, it’s likely to stain, so it’s best to leave DIY masks to your Pinterest boards. Cosmetic curcumin is actually colorless, and this compound is found in beauty products.
Turmeric can treat a variety of skin conditions, which means it’s safe for all skin types. To find the best product for you, you must first consider which step in your daily regimen you like the most. Then give your skin this radiant superfood without disrupting your daily routine.Here are three products that are most worth introducing this multi-tasking ingredient into your skincare routine.
Cleansers – Great for sensitive skin if you’re a little concerned that turmeric might cause a reaction. Cleansers are left on the skin for the shortest amount of time and washed off quickly with warm water, allowing your skin to experience the flavor of turmeric but not long enough to cause irritation.
Serums – If you have oily, acne-prone skin, you may find that serums, especially those used at night, make a noticeable difference to the overall look and texture of your skin. Active pimples will be calmed and shrunken, while any that are waiting to break out to the surface will be stopped by the antibacterial properties of the superherb.
Masks – For the ultimate pampering, a turmeric mask has all the skin-transforming benefits of any other product, but is luxurious to use. Mask formulas are often carefully blended to give you a radiant, smooth complexion.
Of course, there are many more products with turmeric that you can try, but the ones mentioned above will definitely give your skin the healthy glow you’re looking for.
What are the side effects of turmeric?
There are very few side effects to this natural spice, as long as you remember that there is a difference between turmeric in cooking and turmeric in skincare to avoid unwanted spots.
With this new collection of radiant skin tips, I hope you all will pamper your skin and body with this superfood. It’s unusual to find an ingredient that works wonders from the inside out, and to make it even better, turmeric lattes are delicious too.
Have you added turmeric to your skincare routine? Visit us on Instagram and let us know what you think so far!
