Want to know why people have been using turmeric for thousands of years in their skincare routines? Well, after researching I’ve gathered some of the best benefits turmeric has to offer. These skincare benefits will have you running to your spice rack searching for the turmeric before the end of the post.
Turmeric has several benefits for the skin such as the ability to, reduce hyperpigmentation, treat acne, heal wounds, reduce acne scarring, help treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, improving the appearance of wrinkles, and prevent dry skin.
WHAT IS TURMERIC?
While turmeric is all the rage right now, it has been used for thousands of years in Asia, thanks to its healing properties, cosmetic benefits, high pigmentation to dye fabrics, and for cooking. So where does turmeric powder come from?
Turmeric powder is made from the ground-up root of the Curcuma plant, a relative of the ginger plant family.
TURMERIC BENEFITS FOR SKIN
Turmeric is bursting with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can help to exfoliate, detox, and soothe skin. This makes turmeric perfect for people suffering from puffy skin, inflammation, or those with acne scarring.
Let’s take a deeper look into some of the benefits of turmeric for the skin.
1 – It’s Loaded With Anti Properties
As well as being an antioxidant, turmeric is also anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-microbial. All these properties alone make turmeric great for your skin. These properties help fight free radicals that age and damage the skin, while also preventing bad bacteria in the skin.
2 – Psoriasis and Eczema
Thanks to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties mentioned above, turmeric can help soothe psoriasis and eczema flare-ups.
3 – Reduce Dark Spots
Turmeric can reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation when used consistently although the results might not be fast as you would like (can take over a year of consistent use). Obviously the darker the dark spot the longer it will take. But if you’re really trying to banish age spots, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation, in general, this is worth the effort!
4 – Treat Acne
Looking through your spice cabinet is properly the last place you would think to look for acne treatment, but turmeric is amazing at helping and healing acne-prone skin.
Turmerics anti-bacterial properties kill acne-causing bacteria and its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation from cysts and pustules. Turmeric also helps remove excess oils from the skin that also contribute to acne.
Acne scars will also benefit from a turmeric face mask as turmeric is known to help reduce scarring. It also helps to remove redness from pimples and breakouts.
If you suffer from acne-prone skin it’s a great idea to add turmeric to your skincare routine. You can mix turmeric with plain water or coconut oil just enough to make a paste and apply directly to blemishes and scars. Leave the mixture on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off.
5 – Speeds up Wound Healing
The anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric help heal wounds by reducing inflammation and oxidation. Turmeric also helps wounds heal faster as it lowers your body’s response to cutaneous wounds.
6 – Reduce the appearance of wrinkles
The healing properties of turmeric help to slow down the skin aging process and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Turmeric also helps with collagen production thus improving your skin’s elasticity and keeping your skin supple.
7 – Dry Skin
If you suffer from dry skin turmeric is here to help. Turmeric reduces oxidative stress which is one of the leading causes of dry skin. Turmeric also contains Vitamin B6 which is vital to keep skin healthy.
8 – Natural Glow
Using turmeric on your face can help rid your skin of impurities, thus giving you a smooth and glowing complexion.
9 – Reduce Dark Circles
Tired of those dark circles under your eyes? Give turmeric a try thanks to its anti-inflammatory, and skin lightening properties. While it is not a quick fix, by regularly applying turmeric to your under-eye bags you should begin to see them lighten and reduce over time.
SIDE EFFECTS OF APPLYING TURMERIC TO YOUR SKIN
Turmeric is highly pigmented and therefore may temporarily stain your skin a yellowish tinge which is normal and will fade.
In order to make sure your not allergic to turmeric do a skin patch test on your forearm 24-48 hours before using turmeric on your face to see if you react to it. If a reaction occurs do not use on your face.
Use a face mask applicatorto avoid staining your fingers yellow when applying turmeric to your skin.
DIY TURMERIC FASK MASK RECIPES
Now it wouldn’t be fair to give you all these great benefits turmeric provides your skin without giving you some of the most popular DIY turmeric face mask recipes to try!
Always make sure to wash your face and clean your skin before applying these face masks. When washing turmeric off your face make sure to wash your face thoroughly to avoid staining your towels.
Turmeric and Water Face Mask
All you need is some turmeric and water and your ready. Mix two parts turmeric to one part water until you have a smooth paste.
Use a rubber face mask applicator to avoid staining your fingers and apply over face. Leave the mask on till it’s dried then rinse off.
Honey and Turmeric
Mix into a smooth paste ½ Tsp turmeric, ½ Tsp honey (preferably manuka), and 1 Tbsp milk.
Once you have a smooth paste consistency apply to your face and wait for it to dry. Once dry rinse off, making sure to really rinse it off to avoid staining any towels.
Chickpea Flour (Gram Flour) and Turmeric
Mix into paste 2 Tbsp flour, ½ Tsp turmeric powder, and a couple drops rosewater. Apply to a clean face and let dry. Rinse off well.
Aloe Vera and Turmeric
For this mask, you will need 2 Tbsp of organic aloe vera gel (or squeezed directly from the plant) and ¼ Tsp turmeric powder. Mix well and apply to face. Once the face mask is dry, thoroughly rinse off.
So there you have the amazing benefits this spice has to offer and as you can see turmeric certainly packs a punch in the health department.
In order to fully gain the benefits try adding turmeric into your skincare routine at least once a week to benefit from all the amazing properties turmeric has to offer your skin.
