Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionHealth BenefitsConsiderationsHow to Add Turmeric
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Health Benefits
Considerations
How to Add Turmeric
Turmericis a well-known anti-inflammatory herb that is purported to clear up acne and treatacne scars.
This golden spice that gives flavor to curry and other foods is generally very safe to use and is found in many various skincare products on the market today. Turmeric has been used for millennia in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, but modern science is inconclusive on these specific benefits.
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What Is Turmeric?
Curcuma longa, as turmeric is botanically known, is a plant that is native to Asia. It’s a relative of ginger, and it has a distinctive spicy smoky flavor.
The root is dried and powdered to produce the bright golden yellow to orange spice. It’s widely used in Indian cuisine, and you can find it in the spice aisle (and supplement aisle) of your local grocery store.
Turmeric has been used for centuries in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a vast array of health concerns. Traditionally, it’s used for anything from indigestion to arthritis. It’s also been used in folk medicine as a treatment for skin issues like diaper rash,psoriasis, and acne.
As people are becoming interested in natural remedies overall, it’s not surprising that turmeric is getting a second look.
Health Benefits of Turmeric
Although there are more than 300 components in turmeric that have been identified, curcumin is the most widely studied. Curcumin seems to be the active component that’s primarily responsible for thehealth benefits of turmeric. Research studies have shown some possible benefits of turmeric for the following conditions:
Researchers are also studying turmeric for its anti-cancer properties.
Antibacterial Effects
In terms of acne treatment, turmeric does have some qualities that make it worth a closer look. Turmeric is credited as being anti-aging and a powerful antioxidant.
Both topical and oral turmeric have been studied, and, even though turmeric is one of the most widely researched herbal remedies, experts still have very limited definitive information as of yet.Of special interest is that some research suggests curcumin kills acne-causing bacteria, at least in a lab setting.
This bacterium is becoming more resistant to antibiotics that have been used to treat acne for decades. So, there’s been interest in finding other antimicrobial agents to replace antibiotic treatments.
Studies have shown that curcumin in turmeric, combined with blue light therapy, effectively killsP. acnes,making it a potential future treatment to replace resistant antibiotics.
This study was donein vitro (in a test tube in a lab) and also tested on pig skin, not human skin. Simply because it works in a lab doesn’t mean it will work the same on human skin. Thus, more research needs to be done in this area.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Probably the most well-known and well-studied benefit of turmeric is its anti-inflammatory properties.There’s some indication that turmeric may help reduce the inflammation of acne, either when taken orally or used topically.
However, no large clinical trials have been done yet, so we don’t know for sure what (if any) effect turmeric has on the inflammation of acne in people.
Acne Scarring
A few sources claim turmeric helps fade hyperpigmentation, so it may help topically to fadedark acne marks.However, it isn’t known how long it would take to remove dark spots, and there’s no scientific evidence showing turmeric has an effect on pitted or depressed acne scars.
Although there are enough interesting findings to keep researchers looking into this herbal remedy, turmeric has not been proven to treat acne or acne scars. Although turmeric, and its constituent curcumin, have shown some promise, as of yet it hasn’t been proven to affect any dermatological issue.
Side Effects and Other Considerations
It’s important to be aware that turmeric can cause a type of allergic reaction in some people, calledcontact dermatitis.
Some people develop redness, itching, and blisters after applying turmeric directly to the skin. Remember, just because turmeric is a natural substance doesn’t guarantee it’s effective, or even safe, for your skin.
Another drawback to turmeric is its ability to impart its color on everything it touches. In fact, it’s used as a dye in many cultures.
So before you go and whip up a turmeric mask, know that the bright yellow spice can stain your skin, clothes, countertops, washcloths, towels, and anything else it comes in contact with.
Adding Turmeric to Your Acne Skin Care Routine
In general, turmeric is a very safe herbal remedy with multiple options for adding it:
Cook With It
The easiest, and without a doubt most delicious, way to get your dose of turmeric is to add it to your diet.
Add it to curries, soups and stews, rice, or steamed vegetables. It’s a versatile spice that you can use in a variety of ways.
Drink Turmeric Tea
Take Turmeric or Curcumin Supplements
Althoughsupplementsare generally recognized as safe, large doses of turmeric/curcumin can cause an upset stomach and, in extreme cases, ulcers.Make sure to follow the directions on the package.
Also, talk with your healthcare provider first before starting any supplements to ensure it’s safe for you to do so. Curcumin can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take turmeric and people who have diabetes, gallstones, or obstruction of the bile passages should talk to their healthcare provider before taking turmeric.
Use a Turmeric Mask or Soap
Rather get your turmeric topically? Some over-the-counter skincare products contain turmeric (though how much of the spice they actually contain is debatable).
To make a turmeric face mask, you can combine turmeric powder or extract with a variety of thickeners to make a paste, such as:
Leave the mask on for about 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and apply your usual moisturizers.
Monitor your skin for redness, irritation, or rash for the next 24 hours. A lack of reaction on your arm doesn’t guarantee you won’t react on your face, but if your arm does become irritated, you will know unequivocally to not use it on your face.
The patch test will also show you exactly how much staining you’ll get from that particular recipe. You’ll be able to practice your stain removal technique if the turmeric does turn your skin orange.
Know that you can develop a sensitivity to turmeric over time, so it’s possible to have a reaction even if you’ve previously used the spice on your skin without a problem.
Turmeric can be drying to the skin, so take care if your skin is already feeling dry.
Ask your dermatologist before trying any turmeric products, whether homemade or store-bought.
10 Serious Side Effects of Turmeric
Summary
Although turmeric is a well-known anti-inflammatory herb that has been studied as a treatment for a variety of health conditions, its purported benefits in reducing acne and treating acne scars have not been proven.
If you decide to use turmeric, keep in mind it is not a replacement for proven acne medications and treatment. If you need help with treatment, talk with your healthcare provider or a dermatologist to determine the bestacne treatment optionfor you.
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10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Turmeric.
John Hopkins Medicine.Turmeric benefits.
Sharifi-Rad J, Rayess YE, Rizk AA, et al.Turmeric and Its Major Compound Curcumin on Health: Bioactive Effects and Safety Profiles for Food, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Sep 15;11:01021. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01021
Vaughn AR, Branum A, Sivamani RK.Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: a Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence.Phytotherapy Research.2016 Aug; 30(80):1243-64. doi:10.1002/ptr.5640
Yang M.-Y., Chang K.-C., Chen L.-Y., et al.Low-dose blue light irradiation enhances the antimicrobial activities of curcumin against Propionibacterium acnes.J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol.2018;189:21–28. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2018.09.021
Peng Y, Ao M, Dong B, et al.Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Curcumin in the Inflammatory Diseases: Status, Limitations and Countermeasures. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2021 Nov 2;15:4503-4525. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S327378
Hollinger JC, Angra K, Halder RM.Are Natural Ingredients Effective in the Management of Hyperpigmentation?A Systematic Review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018 Feb;11(2):28-37. Epub 2018 Feb 1. PMID: 29552273
Chaudhari SP, Tam AY, Barr JA.Curcumin: A Contact Allergen. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015 Nov;8(11):43-8. PMID: 26705440
Mount Sinai.Turmeric.
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