What is it?
There's no denying that turmeric has been having a moment in health and wellness circles. Long-loved as an essential ingredient of spicy dishes, it's now finding its way into the likes of lattes and other food environments in which it's enjoyed not just for its deliciousness, but also the health properties for which it's long been used by cultures in the East. You may be well aware of what turmeric can do for you from the inside out, but it's worth exploring as a skincare ingredient, too.
Its powder is derived from the root of Curcuma zedoaria, a form of ginger native to Southeast Asia. The active ingredient, curcumin, gives it that yellowy orange hue – and therein lies what makes it a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Want to know a little more science behind it?
Speaking to Russh.com, dermatologist Shyamalar Gunatheesan explains, "Turmeric is a spice, a rhizome of the turmeric plant. It's very natural. It's been used for centuries in Indian and Chinese medicine or used in cooking as a healing agent. Certainly, medically, we know it's an anti-inflammatory agent, especially when ingested through our gut." In fact, Gunatheesan advocates for ingesting turmeric in combination with your skincare routine, and we're all for another good reason to reap its rewards. When it comes to topical application, Gunatheesan says, "Traditionally turmeric rhizome crushed or turmeric powder put a stain on your skin, but it can reduce pigmentation, pimples and spots."
How does it help your skin?
Just as it acts as an anti-inflammatory when added to food and absorbed via the gut, turmeric displays the same anti-inflammatory properties when it's applied topically. Firstly this is good news for the skin barrier that keeps your skin soft by locking in moisture. Secondly and perhaps even more obviously, it can combat inflammation-related complaints that show up in the form of acne and pigmentation.
Dermatologist Dr Mona Gohara says on InStyle.com, "Anti-inflammatory [properties] can help with acne, eczema, and psoriasis, while antioxidants can help with sun damage, complexion evenness, and ageing." Ok, that's some impressive stuff – but is it going to leave you with stained clothes and skin? Probably not when it comes to your favourite skincare products. "Most use the purified curcumin, as it is colourless," Gohara says. "Kasturi turmeric is also non-staining. Since the beautiful yellow turmeric colour can leave stains on the skin, it is important to find a cosmetically elegant, equally as effective variant. Because of this issue, I caution against DIY turmeric treatments."
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Sources:
https://www.instyle.com/beauty/turmeric-benefits-for-skin
https://www.russh.com/turmeric-in-skincare/
https://www.byrdie.com/the-surprising-skincare-benefits-of-turmeric-2442900
FAQs and Answers
1. What is turmeric, and where does it come from? Turmeric is a spice derived from the root of the Curcuma zedoaria plant, a type of ginger native to Southeast Asia, widely used in cooking and traditional medicine.
2. What makes turmeric beneficial for skincare? Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin, known for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it effective in treating skin inflammation, acne, pigmentation, and signs of ageing.
3. Can turmeric help with acne and pigmentation? Yes, turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce acne and pigmentation by calming inflammation and evening out skin tone when applied topically.
4. Does turmeric stain the skin or clothes? Natural turmeric powder can stain skin or clothes, but skincare products typically use purified curcumin or Kasturi turmeric, both of which are non-staining and suitable for topical use.
5. Should turmeric be ingested or applied topically for skin benefits? Both ingestion and topical application of turmeric offer skin benefits. Ingested turmeric reduces inflammation from within, while topical application targets specific skin issues directly.
6. Is it safe to use DIY turmeric treatments on your skin? Dermatologists advise caution with DIY turmeric treatments as raw turmeric powder may stain the skin. Using professionally formulated skincare products containing purified curcumin is recommended.
7. Can turmeric improve the skin barrier? Yes, turmeric helps maintain a healthy skin barrier due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, aiding moisture retention and skin softness.
8. What skin conditions can turmeric help treat? Turmeric is beneficial for acne, eczema, psoriasis, sun damage, uneven complexion, and signs of ageing due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.
