Turmericis a well-known anti-inflammatory herb that is purported to clear up acne and treatacne scars.
What Is Turmeric?
Curcuma longa, as turmeric is botanically known, is a plant that is native to Asia.
Michelle Arnold / EyeEm / Getty Images
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.
Traditionally, it’s used for anything from indigestion to arthritis.
Curcumin seems to be the active component that’s primarily responsible for thehealth benefits of turmeric.
Turmeric is credited as being anti-aging and a powerful antioxidant.
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.
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.
Some people develop redness, itching, and blisters after applying turmeric directly to the 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.
Add it to curries, soups and stews, rice, or steamed vegetables.
It’s a versatile spice that you’re able to use in a variety of ways.
Curcumin can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners.
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).
Let it sit there for a few minutes, then rinse off.
Monitor your skin for redness, irritation, or rash for the next 24 hours.
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.
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.
National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Turmeric.
John Hopkins Medicine.Turmeric benefits.
Int J Mol Sci.
Drug Des Devel Ther.
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.
