7 Benefits Of Turmeric For Your Skin & How To Use It (2024)

We have all heard about the skin-enhancing properties of turmeric from our grandmothers. But have you incorporated it in your skincare routine yet?

Turmeric, for centuries, has been known for its healing properties and skin-enhancing benefits. In this article, we tell you how you can use it to derive maximum results.

What Are The Benefits Of Turmeric For Skin?

Turmeric is a spice scientifically known as Curcuma longa. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that help to manage several skin issues like signs of aging, pigmentation, acne, etc.

Turmeric has a bioactive component called curcumin which makes it anti-inflammatory. The key health benefits of turmeric come from this curcumin.

Turmeric is easily available in every Indian household. Therefore, it is the go-to skincare treatment for many of us. Western people too have started using turmeric as an important skincare ingredient. Several skincare products available internationally often contain turmeric as a primary ingredient.

Turmeric has several skin enhancing properties. Here’s how it can benefit your skin.

1. Adds Natural Glow To Your Skin

Turmeric is considered to be a potent ingredient for skin lightening and revealing glow. It is a powerful antioxidant ingredient that can reduce dark spots, blemishes and hyperpigmentation. You may have noticed in most Indian weddings, turmeric or haldi is used in the rituals. It is done to add some natural glow to the skin on your big day. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in turmeric give luster to your skin, reviving it by bringing out a natural glow. [1]

2. Treats Acne Breakouts

Cutibacterium acnes bacteria can cause lesion type acne on your skin. Turmeric can be great to treat this type of acne breakout. A study in PharmaTutor suggests that the active component in turmeric called curcumin has potent antioxidant properties that can fight against acne vulgaris. The anti-inflammatory nature of turmeric reduces skin inflammation and eventually heals the skin. [2]

3. Helps With Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is one type of eczema. According to The American Academy of Dermatology, plenty of adults often experience atopic dermatitis, especially around their eyes. A study conducted in 2015 concluded that a combination of turmeric, Indian pennywort, and walnut is effective against eczema. Even though there is not much scientific researches or studies available to prove the efficacy of turmeric for eczema, there is anecdotal evidence that vouches for turmeric’s effectiveness.[3]

4. Slows Down Skin Ageing

Your skin often gets exposed to UV rays and environmental pollution. It disturbs the skin's natural oil balance and your skin starts losing elasticity which shows up as ageing signs like fine lines, wrinkles, age spots etc. Similarly, free radicals damage your skin cells and speed up the ageing process. Usually, the ageing signs first appear around your eyes, forehead and neck. Curcumin being a high antioxidant compound boosts your collagen production and strengthens the elasticity of your skin. [4] [5]

5. Helps With Psoriasis

Psoriasis can happen on your face too. It is a skin condition that makes your skin thick and extremely dry. It inflames your facial skin and causes severe irritation. People who have facial psoriasis may also experience scalp psoriasis. Experts suggest that turmeric can be beneficial to treat facial psoriasis. Being anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory, turmeric can kill the bacteria that causes psoriasis and reduce skin inflammation. [6]

6. Reduces Dark Circles

Dark circles around the eyes is a common skin concern. Lack of sleep, unhealthy eating, hyperpigmentation, or spending too much time in front of a computer or mobile phone can cause under-eye dark circles. Here, turmeric can come to your rescue. As a lightening agent, turmeric benefits your skin by minimizing the appearance of dark circles and boosts circulation, thereby reducing puffiness and lightening the skin around your eyes. [7]

7. Moisturizes Dry Skin

Dry skin in winter is a usual scenario. It can make your skin appear dull and dehydrated. But with turmeric, you can ease things out. Applying turmeric-infused skincare products or homemade turmeric masks or packs are really helpful to moisturize your skin. It boosts the dead skin cell removing process so that new skin cells can regenerate.

How To Use Turmeric For Beautiful Skin?

1. Turmeric Masks

Turmeric masks are easily available in the market. You can use any over the counter mask that contains turmeric along with other potent ingredients. However, making a homemade turmeric mask can also be an option.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon sandalwood powder
• 1 teaspoon honey
• water
• 1 bowl

Steps To Follow

• Take a bowl and put the turmeric powder and sandalwood powder together.
• Add honey to the powder mixture.
• Add a sufficient amount of water to make the paste thick.
• Mix it well.

Once the mask is ready, apply it to your face. Keep it for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. Apply a moisturizer afterwards.

Vedix Tip:

Avoid using turmeric directly on your skin if you're allergic to it. It may otherwise lead to swelling, redness, or irritation.

2. Turmeric Cleanser

A homemade turmeric cleanser is helpful to prevent acne, dark spots and ageing signs. Follow the steps for preparing a DIY cleanser.

Ingredients

• Milk
• 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon chickpea powder

Steps To Follow

• Pour turmeric powder and chickpea powder in a bowl.
• Mix them well with a few drops of milk.
• Make sure that the paste is thick and not watery.

Apply the paste on your face evenly. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Then wash it off with fresh water. It will clean off all the dirt and kill acne-causing bacterias.

3. Turmeric Oil

Turmeric oil is highly beneficial for your skin. If you want to achieve radiant and glowing skin, turmeric essential oil can be helpful. It can keep blemishes and acne marks at bay.

Ingredients

• Turmeric essential oil
• Olive oil

Steps To Follow

• Mix two drops of turmeric essential oil with 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Store it in a small container.

Use a few drops of this mixture to massage your skin every day before bed. Let it rest on your face overnight.

4. Turmeric Milk

We all know that drinking turmeric milk boosts your immune system. It can help if you have a cold and cough. But turmeric milk can also work as a great skin cleanser or moisturizer. Washing your face with milk can clear your skin from within.

Ingredients

• Cow Milk
• Turmeric Powder

Steps To Follow

• Mix turmeric powder with a glass of milk.
• Drink hot milk to treat health issues.
• You can wash your face with milk too.

Other Ways To Use Turmeric

Apart from face masks, packs and cleansers, there are other ways to use turmeric powder for skin. Rinsing your face with turmeric-infused water, drinking turmeric juice may also help you achieve your skin goals.

Note:

Turmeric tea, prepared from pure turmeric powder or grated turmeric, offers several health benefits too. Be it boosting the immune function or heart health, turmeric tea does it all.

Frequently Asked Questions About Turmeric For Skin

1. Can You Apply Turmeric On Your Face Everyday?

Before applying turmeric on your face, first do a patch test on your arms to check if your skin reacts to it. Wait for 24-48 hours. If you are not allergic to turmeric, then you can safely use it twice or thrice a week. You can use turmeric alone but that will leave yellow stains on your face. Hence, it's best to mix it with other natural ingredients. You can use a turmeric-infused face mask weekly twice or thrice.

Note:

If you find yourself to be allergic to turmeric in food, don't use it on your skin too.

2. Who Should Use Turmeric?

Anyone can use turmeric unless they are allergic to it. Turmeric is a natural ingredient that does not cause any major side effects on your skin. If you use raw turmeric on your skin, it will leave yellow stains. In case you are undergoing some serious medication, consult your doctor before using turmeric.

4. How Long Should You Leave Turmeric On My Face?

Turmeric masks or face packs should be left on your skin for a maximum of 15 minutes. Leaving turmeric on your skin for a long time can make your skin tight and dry. Do not leave turmeric on your face overnight unless you are using turmeric essential oil.

5. How Much Turmeric Should You Take Per Day?

Studies suggest that turmeric dosage per day is approximately 500-2000 mg. Our typical Indian diet provides us almost 2000 to 2500 mg turmeric per day which is nearly 60-100 mg of curcumin. [9]

6. Does Turmeric Lighten Your Skin?

Yes. Turmeric works as a skin lightening agent for your skin. The curcumin in it reduces the excess melanin production and lightens your skin tone. Adding turmeric to your skincare routine can brighten your skin tone and reduce any kind of dark spots and pigmentation.

7. How Long Does Turmeric Take To Lighten Skin?

Turmeric can provide an instant natural glow to your skin. But to lighten your skin tone, it may take more than three to four weeks of consistent usage.

Wrapping Up

Turmeric is an age-old remedy to address a plethora of skin issues. It can cure acne, lighten your skin tone, provide relief from skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, facial psoriasis etc. Skincare products containing turmeric are easily available over the counter. In case you are not comfortable with over the counter products, DIY masks and face packs can serve the purpose.

However, before using it on your face, make sure how your skin reacts to it. Understand your skin type and needs and choose the best way to use turmeric for your skin.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin