Turmeric in Skincare
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a root that is commonly used as a powder in various foods and holistic medicines.
It originated in the Indian subcontinent and is now widely distributed throughout South Asia. Due to its strong smell and color, turmeric is rarely used in skincare products without processing.
Turmeric has significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making it a great choice for many skincare products.
This ingredient has also been traditionally used to speed up wound healing and treat burns. Unless you are allergic to turmeric, it does not pose a threat to skin health.
Find out if turmeric is right for your skin type!
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a root native to South Asia that is commonly ground, dried, and used as a spice in foods or as an additive in holistic medicines.
In skincare, this ingredient is found in many products, such as anti-inflammatory moisturizers, acne-fighting cleansers, and even various antioxidant products used to treat sunburn.
This ingredient has a strong yellow hue and is often seen in products. Usually only curcumin extracts are used, as its benefits in plants have been most well studied.
Turmeric is one of the most studied spices in the skin care field and has many traditional uses in skin care and holistic medicine.
What does turmeric do?
Most current research suggests that the main reason for turmeric’s skin care benefits is its active ingredient, curcumin.
Studies have shown that curcumin has significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties (3).
Curcumin is a fat-soluble compound, or h. It breaks down in oily environments, such as the face of oily skin, where it works. (4)
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric are often attributed to curcumin.
Studies have shown that curcumin can reduce the effectiveness of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B), thereby speeding up wound healing and theoretically slowing the development of cancer cells. (5,6)
Both turmeric and curcumin have been shown to have anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, and even anti-HIV properties. (7)
Research shows that curcumin has stronger anti-inflammatory effects than ibuprofen and also has strong antioxidant properties. (8)
The ingredient contains other active ingredients such as curcumin 2, curcumin 3, and curcumin 4; of all the active ingredients, curcumin 1 (abbreviated as “curcumin”) is the most studied. (9)
All of these studies show that turmeric is an extremely valuable skin care ingredient with few risks other than allergies.
Take our quiz to find out if turmeric is right for your skin type!
Is turmeric good for skin?
Turmeric is suitable for most skin types because it can reduce inflammation, kill acne-causing bacteria, and eliminate free radicals that can cause permanent genetic damage to the skin.
Some studies have also shown that using turmeric can promote the synthesis of collagen, an important structural component of the skin. (10)
This ingredient is safe for oily skin because it is non-comedogenic, which means it will not clog pores and reduce the risk of acne.
Even dry skin can use turmeric without hesitation because it neither strips the skin of sebum nor inhibits sebum production.
Studies have shown that curcumin is effective at binding free radicals that cause wrinkles and other permanent skin damage. (15)
Some studies have even shown that turmeric has skin-lightening effects, making it beneficial for treating hyperpigmentation. (11)
Turmeric is a versatile and useful ingredient in cosmetic skin care products that is safe and beneficial for most skin types.
Is it safe?
Many independent research organizations have deemed turmeric safe for use in skin care products. (12)
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) classifies turmeric as extremely safe with no known risks.
If you are looking for an all-in-one ingredient that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and hyperpigmentation-treating properties, then you should know that turmeric is a scientifically proven safe candidate.
Side Effects
There are currently no studies that have shown significant side effects from using turmeric for skin care. (13, 14)
The only real risk of using turmeric in topical skin care is allergies, but allergies are extremely rare for this ingredient. (14)
The only reason turmeric is not widely used in skin care is because of its yellow color and strong odor, which can be unpleasant in some cases.
Turmeric for Acne
Ingredients with antibacterial properties, such as turmeric, are great for treating and preventing acne. (17)
Acne is often caused by a combination of clogged pores and associated bacterial growth on the face. Since turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, pores are less likely to become clogged.
Additionally, killing bacteria on the skin can reduce the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
Like many of the best acne prevention ingredients, turmeric itself will not clog pores or make the skin greasy.
If you suffer from or are prone to acne, turmeric/curcumin products can be a great addition to your personal skincare routine.
If Inflammation is a Problem
Research shows that turmeric inhibits inflammation through multiple mechanisms of action, including inhibiting the formation of leukotrienes. (16)
Turmeric may even be more effective at fighting inflammation than ibuprofen. (8)
Inflammation can lead to a variety of skin problems, including redness, itching, swelling, and clogged pores. Turmeric can be a great ingredient in skincare products for sensitive and inflamed skin.
Turmeric fights sun damage
Fighting sun damage
Turmeric is often great for treating sunburns because it is rich in curcumin, a potent antioxidant. (15) Sunburn can take many forms, ranging from flaking skin to redness or facial wrinkles.
Research shows that turmeric, as a pigment in clothing, is an excellent UV blocker. (19)
When applied topically, antioxidants like turmeric can bind to free radicals caused by UVB radiation, preventing them from causing genetic damage.
Genetic damage caused by free radicals can lead to many types of cancer.
For this purpose, antioxidants such as curcumin or vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, etc. are recommended.
A comprehensive list of antioxidant ingredients in skin care products can be found in our glossary on this topic.
For pigmentation
Research shows that turmeric is an effective ingredient for treating pigmentation such as melasma. (18)
Studies show that curcumin, the most important component of turmeric, is also an effective tyrosinase inhibitor. (19)
Turmeric alone is not an adequate treatment for pigmentation. However, it has been shown to be effective when combined with other ingredients.
The best turmeric products
Here are some dermatologist-recommended products containing turmeric or curcumin:
Take our quiz to find the best products for your skin type!
We help you develop your own skin care routine.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
