Whether you’re an Indian food enthusiast or a skincare specialist, you’re certainly a turmeric mega-fan. Turmeric is one of the most versatile ingredients out there—it brings the spice, color, flavor, and health benefits wherever it goes. Here at Gleamin, this superfood is one of our all-time favorites.
However, if you’re not so familiar with turmeric, you’re probably wondering what the big deal is. What’s so wonderful about this stuff? And why has turmeric taken the skincare world by storm?
These are the important questions. Luckily for you, we’re here today to give you all the answers you seek and more. In this article, we’ll dive head-first into the world of turmeric, giving you the ultimate rundown on everything you should know about this superstar skincare ingredient.
There’s no denying that turmeric is one of the most powerful natural skincare ingredients in the game. So, read on for a detailed look at everything you should know about this amazing spice.
We won’t keep you waiting any longer—let’s get into it!
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What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric comes in many shapes and sizes—a powdered spice, an oil, a root, and much more. In its original form, however, this versatile substance takes the form of a plant.
The turmeric plant—also known by its scientific name, Curcuma longa—is native to southeast Asia. You may also know it as Indian saffron.
Turmeric In Food
You’re probably most familiar with turmeric in the form of a bright golden-orange spice. This spice comes from the ground-up root of the plant, and it’s one of the main ingredients in many curry powders and sauces. Likewise, you may also come across it in mustards, beers, cheeses, teas, and much more.
Turmeric In Medicine
Notably, however, turmeric plays a major role in more than just cooking. For example, it has been used in Ayurvedic medicine (a traditional Indian medical system of treatment) for hundreds of years. It’s been historically used to help support a variety of processes in the body, ranging from digestion, to menstruation, to energy.
Turmeric and Fabric
Beyond traditional medicine, turmeric has also been utilized as a tool for fabric dyeing. Its vivid color lends itself to a wide variety of fabrics and materials.
Turmeric in Skincare
Finally, there’s one more field that we have yet to discuss—that is, of course, skincare. Although turmeric has been widely used in many areas for centuries, it has only recently risen to popularity in the world of Western skincare. Now, if you stroll through any drugstore cosmetics aisle, you’ll find a solid selection of turmeric-based skin and hair care products.
So, why is turmeric suddenly the go-to, must-have ingredient in these cosmetics products? Well, in the remainder of this article, we’ll be discussing all of the unique qualities that make turmeric so good for our skin.
Feel the effects of turmeric for yourself with this clay mask.
Benefits of Turmeric
Now, let’s get into the good stuff: all the ways that turmeric will help your skin. There’s a reason this superfood has been showing up in more skincare products than you can count—it works. Read on to learn about all the benefits of our favorite ingredient.
See the effects of turmeric skincare here!
Turmeric Soothes Skin Irritation
The main active component in turmeric is a compound called curcumin. You will often find curcumin and turmeric mentioned in the same sentence—they’re like two peas in a pod. Curcumin is what gives turmeric many of its most sought-after qualities, including its soothing properties.
Why does this matter? Well, skin inflammation is a bodily response associated with the immune system. When the body detects an outside threat, like microbes, bacteria, or toxins, the immune system steps in to eliminate the threat. Sometimes, the skin becomes inflamed as a result of an immune response.
On the outside, inflammation manifests itself as:
You can certainly see why an ingredient with components that help soothe and calm the skin would be so popular in skincare. When applied to the skin, turmeric eases skin irritation. A turmeric-based product can help leave your skin feeling totally refreshed and your complexion as relaxed as ever.
Hopefully, researchers will discover even more info about the powers of turmeric within the next few years as it becomes popular in Western culture!
Turmeric Is Packed With Antioxidants
Next up, we’ve got another skincare must-have: antioxidants. Turmeric provides an abundant supply of antioxidants, which makes it ideal for anti-aging skincare products.
Here’s the short rundown on antioxidants. Basically, they protect the body against something called free radicals. These atoms are highly reactive, which means they have the potential to cause harm to our cells in a variety of ways.
When it comes to skincare, free radicals contribute to issues like:
By using antioxidants on the skin, you can further protect yourself from the effects of all those things. Antioxidants may also help to reduce the appearance of dark circles and protect against the premature aging consequences of UV damage.
Using a natural antioxidant-rich ingredient like turmeric in your daily skincare routine can keep your skin looking youthful, bright, and healthy. Likewise, it may help reduce the appearance of skin concerns like hyperpigmentation,scarring, and more. All in all, antioxidants should be a staple in anyone’s skin regimen.
Turmeric Cleanses, Gently and Naturally
Finally, we should mention one more aspect of this multifaceted superfood that makes it so useful for the skin—its natural cleansing abilities. As such, turmeric is particularly suited to treating issues like dirt-filled blemishes.
How To Use Turmeric
In our opinion, one of the best ways to add turmeric to your skincare regimen is to use a turmeric-based face mask once or twice a week. Luckily, if you’re looking to concoct your own mask, there are plenty of DIY face mask recipes available.
Here’s one of our favorite recipes: simply mix together two tablespoons of turmeric powder, two tablespoons of coconut oil, and maybe a few drops of lemon juice. The result is a refreshing, purifying mask that’s super simple to make.
Apply this mask for about 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Your skin should be feeling good as new in no time, especially after sloughing off all those dead skin cells.
If you’re not feeling up to the challenge of becoming your own skincare manufacturer, there’s always the other route—treating yourself to a professionally-made mask. Of course, we have to suggest our Vitamin C Clay Mask.
We use both turmeric root and turmeric powder to ensure that you’re getting the maximum skin benefits from this ingredient. Plus, our mask includes several other superfoods that you just won’t have lying around for a DIY project. These include:
These ingredients make our mask a highly effective acne-fighter.
Learn more about our ingredients here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still curious about the ins and outs of turmeric? Check out our essential guide to a few of the most commonly asked questions surrounding this superfood.
Will Turmeric Stain My Skin?
Unfortunately, no matter how carefully you handle your turmeric, you might just end up with orange-stained clothing, hands, or skin.
There’s nothing worse than accidentally exposing your favorite white shirt to something like turmeric and realizing that your treasured item of clothing may be ruined forever.
Luckily, we’ve got some good news: it’s not the end of the world. In fact, removing turmeric stains from clothing (even white items) is entirely possible.
Similarly, if you find that your skin has been stained orange, there’s an easy solution. Here’s what you’ll need: a towel and some warm water. That’s it. Soak the towel in the water and simply wipe your skin until the color starts to fade.
Pro tip: use a dark towel to avoid a whole new staining problem.
If this method isn’t working for you, try adding a few tablespoons of sugar to the towel and water. Likewise, you could also apply your favorite oil-based cleanser to your skin.
Finally, if you notice that a stain has formed on a household surface, your best bet is to use a mixture of baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the stain for about 15 minutes, and then carefully scrub it to alleviate the stain. If this method proves ineffective, you may also want to try lemon juice or vinegar.
What’s the Difference Between Turmeric Oil and Powder?
Turmeric oil (which you may see as turmeric essential oil) comes from the root of the plant, as well. It’s made through a process called hydro-distillation. The result is a distilled, liquid oil (hence the name essential oil).
While turmeric oil is highly concentrated and slightly volatile, turmeric powder is much more stable and balanced. It comes in the form of a dry, bright orange-yellow powder. It’s often used in cooking, and this is partially because it gives each dish that unique golden hue.
Like turmeric oil, powdered turmeric also comes from the root, or rhizome, of the flowering turmeric plant. As such, the two forms of turmeric do share many qualities in common. Of course, there are a few key differences that we should certainly mention.
Firstly, turmeric powder is ideal for crafting your own DIY face masks and skincare. With just a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a bit of water, you can concoct a solid mask in no time. Oil, on the other hand, will not give such a mask the same consistency or feel. Just make sure to follow up your mask with a moisturizer after you rinse it off to seal in all the good stuff for a stunning natural luster.
On the other hand, due to the nature of turmeric oil, it is often much easier to apply directly to the skin, hair, and scalp. For example, one could easily use turmeric oil to give yourself a facial massage—whereas, with powder, you’d have to mix it with another substance to achieve that same consistency.
In addition, we should note that turmeric oil has a much stronger aroma than powder. As such, it’s commonly used in aromatherapy. If you love the smell of turmeric, keeping some essential oil around your house may serve to benefit you.
Is Turmeric Good for Breakouts
The short answer? Yes! Turmeric contains a group of chemicals called curcuminoids, the most relevant of which is called curcumin. This compound gives the substance powerful, multifaceted skincare abilities. Namely, it is what gives turmeric its soothing, cleansing, and antioxidant properties. Basically, turmeric is a healthy skin powerhouse.
These properties give turmeric the ability to help with breakouts, especially if you struggle with oily skin.
Fun Facts About Turmeric
In case we haven’t convinced you to join the turmeric fan club, take a look at these compelling stats and facts:
Turmeric may support the body’s natural capacity for antioxidants
Turmeric paste is often used as a home remedy to soothe sunburn
Final Thoughts
Here at Gleamin, we can’t get enough of this powerful superfood, and we believe it will make the perfect addition to your skin care routine. If you’ve never tried turmeric before, now is the time to grab some turmeric and give your skin a little love! It just might give you that natural glow that you’ve been searching for.
Sources:
Turmeric side effects: Health benefits and risks | Medical News Today
Turmeric, the Golden Spice - Herbal Medicine - NCBI Bookshelf
10 Proven Health Benefits of Turmeric and Curcumin | Healthline
We Tried a DIY Turmeric Face Mask for Clear, Even Skin | Coveteur
How to Remove Turmeric Stains from Clothes | WikiHow
Curcumin: A Review of Its' Effects on Human Health | NIH
(PDF) Evidence of curcumin and curcumin analogue effects in skin diseases: A narrative review | NIH
Curcumin in Depression: Potential Mechanisms of Action and Current Evidence—A Narrative Review | NIH
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