You may have tossed it in smoothies and other recipes, but did you know that turmeric is a multi-tasker of beauty that does anything from brightening up your skin to chasing away blemishes?
Aside from being a great addition to anyone's spice box, for several reasons, the vivid yellow-orange spice is making a comeback. In fact, for hundreds of years, people around the world have relied on turmeric for everything from its healing powers to its cosmetic uses, not that it has ever gone out of style.
In your own skincare routine, ready to reap the advantages of turmeric? For tips on how you can integrate turmeric into your beauty routine, continue reading below.
Benefits of turmeric
Let us have a look at the benefits turmeric offers to your skin
It offers a natural glow
It's certainly no coincidence that, given that it's an instant glow-booster, turmeric is the color of a radiant sunset. Its antioxidant properties, including stubborn under-eye circles and dark spots, have the ability to brighten the skin, rendering you as naturally stunning as a killer view of the setting sun.
With just yogurt, honey, and turmeric, you can cobble together your own DIY turmeric mask ingredients. The only downside is that your face, as well as clothes and pillows, maybe temporarily tainted by turmeric. That's why it's a smart idea to look for a skincare product that achieves the advantages of the spice without wasting extra time washing and scrubbing your face.
Turmeric is a powerhouse of anti-inflammatory properties
Using turmeric if you are susceptible to skin conditions that make you red and puffy! Chronic inflammation and early signs of ageing can result from oxidative stress, which happens when you have too many free radicals and not enough antioxidants in your body. You should breathe easy if that sounds stressful. For its free radical-fighting, anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric is known and respected.
Try out a turmeric mask for a glowing boost of turmeric anytime you need it. It's a brightening, anti-aging peel-off mask that adds a good dose of turmeric and orange to tired skin. Vitamin C helps to slough dead skin cells away and to eliminate excess dirt and oil to display brightness.
Helps in fighting acne
Another happy side effect of turmeric is that, when it comes to treating acne-causing bacteria and getting the gunk out of clogged pores, its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties pack a power. In reality, turmeric soothes your skin and works to fade hormonal acne scars.
Try a face mask with Turmeric for an extra-soothing treat, which uses the disinfecting properties of turmeric to slow down cell damage and minimize inflammation. It also contains azelaic acid, which, without ever scratching sensitive skin, helps avoid potential breakouts and slough away dead skin cells.
Anti-aging properties
The study also confirms the anti-aging ability of turmeric. Do you recall how we discussed the antioxidant properties of curcumin in turmeric? Well, the defense against free-radical damage is where the advantages of anti-aging come in. The accelerated causes of aging (sun damage, pollution, etc.) are slowed when cells are shielded from environmental stress, and new cell growth is encouraged.
Turmeric does wonders in the scalp health too
So you do know that turmeric repairs and preserves the natural beauty of the skin, but did you know it promotes the protection of the scalp as well? Curcumin can treat hair loss that results from conditions such as dandruff and bacterial infections efficiently. In reality, Indian women have been turning to turmeric and other Ayurvedic herbs for centuries to keep their hair long, healthy, and shiny. Sometimes resulting in dandruff or hair loss, the skin on your scalp is often prone to inflammatory responses from dehydration and lack of nourishment.
Turmeric can help soothe and relax an irritated scalp, due to its antiseptic properties. Look for turmeric-containing hair masks and conditioners or try to do your own DIY if you have dark hair! For a simple at-home mask, mix four tablespoons of coconut oil with a 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric. Lighter types of hair may want this one to sit out, as turmeric is notorious for staining.
Have you used turmeric or got any of the products we described above in your beauty treatments?
Offers a white glow to your teeth
For something as tricky as teeth whitening, you wouldn't think a spice that's blazing yellow would be beneficial, but prepare to be shocked! The spice has the ability to naturally whiten teeth and alleviate gingivitis and toothaches to boot, even though turmeric can stain fabrics. To make a natural, fluoride-free toothpaste that will ward off bacteria and relieve inflammation, you can use turmeric. Experts suggest mixing a mixture of four tablespoons of turmeric powder, two tablespoons of baking soda, and 1⁄2 tablespoon of coconut oil to DIY yourself.
Turmeric is beneficial in fighting the scars
Living with the traces they leave behind is the only thing worse than fighting breakouts. Thankfully, with pricey items, you don't have to splurge to minimize their appearance. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory capabilities, the skin benefits of turmeric can also help here.
Turmeric, a remedy for hyperpigmentation and acne scars, is effective and natural without side effects. The curcumin it contains is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that reduces excess melanin production, which helps to tone the skin and lighten the scars.
Got stretch marks? Fight them off with turmeric
Although they are extremely common-about 80 percent of individuals have them-stretch marks are no one's buddy. It's difficult to cure these pesky little lines, but turmeric will help lighten their appearance. Turmeric has the antioxidant power to penetrate and improve the function of the cells in the skin membrane, which helps to prevent and treat stretch marks.
With one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, one teaspoon of turmeric, and a squeeze of a slice of lemon, she suggests making your own stretch mark-healing paste (about one-eighth of the fruit). Twice a day, rub this mixture into the infected areas.
Turmeric helps in soothing Psoriasis
Inflammation causes skin cells to grow on each other, forming scaly patches that are susceptible to cracking and bleeding. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder.
The primary active compound found in turmeric, curcumin, contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that can fight the development of cells and reduce these painful skin patches. Studies have shown that in 9-12 weeks, both topical and oral curcumin can improve plaque psoriasis symptoms.
- Mix one part turmeric powder and two parts water together.
- Simmer until the mixture thickens into a paste in a saucepan.
- Apply the paste to the infected region until it is cooled.
- Wrap the treated area around a strip of gauze.
- Overnight, leave it on.
- Remove the gauze and clean the skin with warm water in the morning.
- Tea with Turmeric
- Fill 4 cups of water with 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric and bring it to a boil.
- Simmer (add honey and/or lemon to taste) for 10 minutes and serve.
- Before attempting any at-home psoriasis remedies, turmeric-related or otherwise, be sure to consult your doctor!
Helps in removing loose skin and fine lines
They cause sunburns, skin cancer, fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles. UV rays are the worst enemy of your skin. But turmeric can, in a way of speaking, help you turn back the clock.
Recent research has shown that the antioxidant compounds of turmeric have dramatically enhanced sun damage in rat skin, a likely early indicator of the ability to slow down the effects of human aging.
Antioxidants avoid free radicals such as pollutants and UV rays from damaging the elasticity of your skin, the consistency that keeps your skin smooth and supple.
Most notably, the enzyme elastase blocks turmeric, which attacks the capacity of your skin to create elastin, a material that gives structure to your skin.
Turmeric helps in treating scabies
Scabies is an infestation of the Sarcoptes scabies mite, which burrows under your skin and can lay eggs if left untreated. An itchy, rash-like irritation on your skin is the result.
Scabies is normally treated with a prescription cream and hydrocortisone lotion, but a report from India in 2011 showed that the combination of turmeric and neem (a native Indian tree extract) was 97 percent successful in curing scabies.
Will using turmeric give me different shades of skin?
As far as side effects go, skin staining is the most apparent result of topical turmeric. In recipes for bright yellow curries and other colorful dishes, there is a reason that turmeric shows up.
Don't leave it too long on your skin unless you want to transform your face into a tikka masala. But thankfully, even though you do, it isn't lasting and the stain can be removed by a decent exfoliator.
Before using it topically, make sure you're not allergic to turmeric. By adding a small portion to your inner arm or wrist and covering it with a bandage for 24 hours, Patch checks every turmeric-based skin treatment. Clean the area immediately if you experience any scratching, burning, or other discomfort, and avoid using it again.
Using oral turmeric treatments with caution if you are taking iron supplements or blood thinners, as the spice is known to make you bleed more easily.
Digestive symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea, headaches, and rashes can also be caused by high doses of turmeric (more than 4,000 mg per day).
Bear in mind that the bio availability of turmeric is limited, which means there is a limit on how much your body can absorb.
Face care tips
Other tips to help keep the skin smooth and clean may be used by people. The AAD suggests that individuals care for their facial skin through:
- Using a gentle alcohol-free cleanser to keep the skin from drying out
- Wet the face and use the fingertips to apply the cleanser with lukewarm water
- Prevent the skin from scrubbing, since this will irritate it.
- Rinse the face with a fluffy towel with lukewarm water and pat it dry.
- If the face is dry or itchy, apply a moisturizer, taking care not to be too rough on the delicate skin around the eyes.
- Only in the morning and evening, and after sweating, wash your face.
Summary
Using a face mask that contains turmeric can help treat inflammatory skin conditions, such as acne, wounds, or atopic dermatitis, because of its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Some individuals can, however, experience contact dermatitis if this spice is added to the skin. Those showing signs of an allergic reaction should immediately avoid using turmeric.
