By Lauren Levinson, Popsugar
If rubbing a bright orange substance on your face makes you feel like Donald Trump, don't worry — what we're about to tell you has nothing to do with politics. The formula we're referring to is the turmeric spice, and it's a buzzy term in the holistic health community right now. The spice hails from India and has traditionally been used in cooking (it's part of the ginger root family). But these days, people are adding it to everything from their smoothies to face masks. We're going to explore the latter since turmeric has many amazing beauty uses.
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"Turmeric is an age-old ingredient used for its internal as well as external health-and-beauty-promoting properties," explained Sheetal Rawal, a scientist and founder of brand Apsara. "It has been used in the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years for its natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and color-balancing properties. Currently, it is also gaining quite some fame in the West for its significant antioxidant properties."
This ability to bring down inflammation translates to skin care by minimizing acne or bringing down a rosacea flare-up. You can also rely on it for antiaging benefits. "It is loaded with key vitamins that facilitate important skin renewal processes, such as the creation of collagen," added Adina Grigore, the founder of S.W. Basics.
Barbara Close, founder and CEO of Naturopathica, explained the science behind this: "Extracts from turmeric, known as tetrahydrocurcuminoids, efficiently quench free radicals on the surface of the skin due to their antioxidant properties. This protects against damage from ultraviolet radiation and environmental irritants."
In fact, it is even incorporated into prebridal Indian rituals, during which the bride and groom are massaged with a turmeric-infused, homemade herbal concoction. "Turmeric in this age-old concoction is supposed to bring out the 'hidden glow' of the skin," Rawal shared.
[post_ads]Those with sensitive skin should not fear turmeric just because it's spicy. "It's wonderful for anyone who has supersensitive skin, but even for normal skin types, it really makes the skin look flawless," said Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and owner of her eponymous brand. "Make sure you are using pure organic turmeric. Some generic store-bought options contain dyes that can stain your skin after application. This is one ingredient where you must go organic."
If you're still hung up on having an Oompa Loompa face, Grigore has more to add on the matter. "And no, to answer your burning question, it won't dye your skin yellow," she mused. "If you're using it in powder form, just be sure to rinse it off thoroughly!"
Keep reading to hear more from these pros and others about how to incorporate turmeric into your beauty routine — DIY recipes included!
Calms Acne Inflammation
Treats: acne
Why: "Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, so I love using it in recipes to minimize and calm breakouts for acne-prone skin," said Clara Williams, esthetician and founder of Cultivar. "Because turmeric is a mild exfoliant, it is also potent in treating signs of aging as well as helping to keep pores clear by helping to balance the skin's sebum production. The only drawback with turmeric is that it can easily stain skin and fabric, so rinse skin well and use a dark towel."
DIY:
"For acne-prone skin, I love this DIY recipe because it quickly calms, clears, and minimizes breakouts," she added. "It also helps to keep pores clear, which means there will be fewer future breakouts.
Turmeric Acne Mask:
A pinch of ground turmeric
1 tablespoon mashed ripe banana
Apply to clean skin and leave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
"This recipe works because turmeric is incredibly high in antioxidants and is also naturally antibacterial," Williams explained. "Bananas are high in potassium, zinc, rutin, which is great for calming irritation. And it has natural enzymes that are effective at treating acne. I also like using bananas for DIY recipes because they are inexpensive, easy to mash to a smooth consistency and are less prone to dripping off of my face."
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Minimizes Dark Spots, Pigmentation, and Melasma
Treats: uneven complexion
Why: "Since turmeric has color-balancing properties, it evens out the appearance and texture of the skin," noted Rawal. "In addition, its natural antioxidant properties make it the perfect choice to undo and prevent the negative side effects of poor diet and overexposure to the sun. Both these could be linked to hyperpigmentation of skin, and turmeric has been highly esteemed for its ability to keep the skin protected, healthy, and glowing!"
DIY:
Homemade Glycolic Acid Mask:
1 teaspoon jaggery powder (or dark brown sugar)
1 teaspoon tomato juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder
Warm green tea to turn to paste
Mix well and apply to your skin. Wash off after 12 to 15 minutes.
"In this remedy, turmeric supports and enhances the natural antipigmentation effects of jaggery and lemon, which are both sources of alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic acid and citric acid)," she added. "Alpha-hydroxy acids speed up the rate at which upper layers of the skin are shed, thus bringing the healthier layers underneath to surface quickly."
Rawal also explains that sugar cane (and jiggery or dark brown sugar derived from it) can banish dark spots, blemishes, and dark patches (melasma). "When used appropriately, sugar cane effectively tackles all signs of hyperpigmentation naturally, because it is a natural source of glycolic acid," she said. "Glycolic acid and citric acid are both alpha-hydroxyl acids and can be superb in diminishing skin imperfections."
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Erases Fine Lines, Wrinkles, and Other Signs of Aging Skin
Treats: aging skin
Why: "As an antioxidant, turmeric keeps in check and reverses damage done by excess amounts of free radicals," Rawal said. "For example, excess exposure to direct sunlight can cause free radical damage that is externally seen as lines, wrinkles, dehydration, and sunspots. In comes turmeric. Thanks to its awesome antioxidant and skin-calming properties, overexposed skin can be healed naturally."
DIY:
Anitaging Turmeric and Grape Mask:
2 teaspoon grape pulp (smash some grapes; be sure to include the skins)
1 teaspoon cool black tea
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder (do not go over this quantity — turmeric can stain the skin)
1 teaspoon jaggery powder (or powdered brown sugar)
Enough rose water to make a thick paste
Mix well and apply to your skin. Do not go too close to the eye area. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
"This homemade face mask remedy uses the antioxidant power of grapes (resveratrol), tea, and turmeric to give your skin a phenomenal boost," she noted. "Antioxidants reduce signs of aging by reducing and checking the free radical damage to skin. Glycolic acid (alpha-hydroxy acid) from jaggery speeds up the skin's renewal process. Therefore, this face mask is not only great for its natural antiaging properties, it also enhances the glow of your skin. Use it one to two times a week and always follow with a serum and lotion for your skin type."
Detoxifies Skin
Treats: congestion
Why: "Turmeric regulates oil production, reduces inflammation, and heals scars, especially those from acne," noted Grigore.
DIY:
Chickpea-Turmeric Detox Mask:
1 tablespoon chickpea flour or mashed chickpeas
Generous pinch of turmeric powder (enough to tint the mixture yellowish)
1 tablespoon water
Combine chickpeas and turmeric in a small bowl, then stir in the water. If you’re using cooked or canned chickpeas, make sure to really mix in the turmeric. "You can apply with your fingers," Grigore advised. "It will feel as if you are putting hummus on your face — you kind of are. For maximum detox benefit, let it dry before washing it off."
Keep it sealed in your fridge for up to a week. This recipe makes two to three applications. Grigore also noted that the mask can be a bit drying, so definitely follow with a moisturizer.
[post_ads]"Turmeric is really fantastic for those suffering with acne, as it helps regulate oil production, has antibacterial properties, reduces inflammation, fades acne scarring and other skin inconsistencies, and fights free radicals," she explained. "And chickpeas are an amazing detoxifier. They pull out harmful toxins, neutralize free radicals, heal sun damage, and generally energize your skin (and your insides, too, of course). The combination of these two ingredients in this mask makes for a superpowerful detoxifying, acne-healing mask."
Depuffs Facial Bloat
Use: puffiness
Why: "Turmeric has been known to be as helpful in treating inflammation as some over-the-counter medicines," says Vargas. "Ingesting it in powdered or pill form helps to debloat the body. You can also achieve the same soothing effect of this natural anti-inflammatory when you apply it onto your skin. Your skin will be bright and depuffed after a DIY mask or product containing this amazing spice!"
DIY:
Soothing and Depuffing Tumeric Mask:
1 tablespoon organic Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley
Mix all ingredients together and leave on for 10 minutes. Remove with a warm cloth.
"This DIY mask is amazing for all skin types but especially those with sensitive skin, redness, irritation, or breakouts," Vargas said. "All of these skin issues indicate that inflammation is high in the body. So applying one of nature’s strongest anti-inflammatory ingredients onto the skin really helps to soothe and hydrate any skin ailment."
See more at: POPSUGAR
