Benefits of Turmeric for Skin

For hundreds of years, people around the world have linked turmeric to healing properties and cosmetic benefits. The bright, yellow-orange spice is related to ginger. It’s available as a ground spice or in supplements and other beauty and dermatology products.

Turmeric gets its health benefits primarily because of curcumin, a bioactive component. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Modern scientific research is just beginning to study the positive impact of turmeric, but many believe it has several beneficial uses for the skin. Here are some ways turmeric may benefit your skin.

Turmeric contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components. These characteristics may provide glow and luster to the skin. Turmeric may also revive your skin by bringing out its natural glow.

You may want to try a turmeric face mask at home to see if the spice has any positive effects on your skin. You can mix small amounts of Greek yogurt, honey, and turmeric together and apply to your face. Keep the mask on for 15 minutes and then wash off with water.

The curcumin found in turmeric can help wounds heal by decreasing inflammation and oxidation. It also lowers the response of your body to cutaneous wounds. This results in your wounds healing more quickly.

Studies have found that turmeric can positively affect tissue and collagen as well. The journal Life Sciences recommends applying curcumin as an optimized formula to best work on skin wounds.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric may help your psoriasis by controlling flares and other symptoms.

It can help your psoriasis

The National Psoriasis Foundation states that you can use it as a supplement or by adding it to food. Before you try it, the foundation recommends discussing proper dosage with a professional.

You may want to try a turmeric face mask to help reduce acne and any resulting scars. The anti-inflammatory qualities can target your pores and calm the skin. Turmeric is also known to reduce scarring. This combination of uses may help your face clear up from acne breakouts.

In an early study conducted in India, a combination of turmeric and neem, a plant native to India, was effective in treating scabies. Scabies is a condition caused by microscopic mites that leave a rash in the skin.

There aren’t enough studies to provide conclusive evidence about how turmeric can help other skin conditions. However, it’s suggested that it can help with eczema, alopecia, lichen planus, and other skin issues.

A study in Phytotherapy Research recommends further research on the effects of turmeric on various skin conditions. Interest in studying turmeric as a skin treatment is increasing.

Sources: 

• Akbik D, et al. (2014). Curcumin as a wound healing agent. DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.08.016
  
• Chattopadhyay I, et al. (2004). Turmeric and curcumin: Biological actions and medicinal applications.
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• Curcumin. (n.d.).
  lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/curcumin
• Douglass BJ, et al. (2015). Beyond yellow curry: Assessing commercial curcumin absorption technologies. DOI:
  10.1080/07315724.2014.950392
• Group E. (2015). How turmeric keeps you looking young.
  globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/how-turmeric-keeps-you-looking-young/
• Herbs and natural remedies. (n.d.).
  psoriasis.org/treating-psoriasis/complementary-and-alternative/herbal-remedies
• Nguyen TA, et al. (2013). Curcumin: A novel treatment for skin-related disorders.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24085048
• Shenefelt PD. (2011). Chapter 18. Herbal treatment for dermatologic disorders. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis.
  ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92761/
• Vaughn AR, et al. (2016). Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on skin health: A systematic review of the clinical evidence. DOI:
  10.1002/ptr.5640.