Turmeric in Skin Care Products

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a root commonly harvested for its powdered form to be used in various foods and holistic medicines. It is native to the indian subcontinent and can now be found across south asia. Because of its potent smell and thick color, turmeric is not often used unprocessed in skin care products. Turmeric has demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that make is a solid candidate for many kinds of skin care treatments. Traditionally, this ingredient has also been used to increase the rate of wound healing and to treat burns. This ingredient poses no threats to skin health unless you have an allergy to it. Find out if turmeric is right for your skin type!

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) is a root from south asia that is most often ground and dried to be used as a spice in food or an additive in holistic medicines. In skin care, this ingredient can be found in many product types such as anti-inflammatory moisturizers, acne targeting cleansers, and even various antioxidant focused products for treating sun damage. This ingredient has an extremely yellow tint that often remains visible in products. usually, just the extract curcumin is used as it is the most studied compound for effectiveness within the plant. Turmeric is one of the most well studied spices in skin care, and has many traditional uses in skin care and holistic medicine.

How does Turmeric work?

Most research today suggests that the primary cause for turmeric’s skin care benefits are its active compound curcumin. Curcumin has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties in studies (3).

Curcumin is a fat soluble compound, meaning it is able to break down and impart effects in oily environments such as the faces of oily skin types. (4)

The anti-inflammatory capabilities of turmeric are often attributed to curcumin specifically.

Studies have found that curcumin is able to interfere with the effectiveness of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) which can result in faster wound healing, and could theoretically slow down the development of cancer cells. (5,6)

Both turmeric and curcumin have been shown to express anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, and even anti-HIV properties in studies. (7)

In research, curcumin has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects greater than ibuprofen, and has potent antioxidant effects as well. (8)

Some other active compounds are present in this ingredient such as curcumin 2, curcumin 3, and curcumin 4; of all the active compounds, curcumin 1, or simply “curcumin” is the most studied. (9)

All of this research suggests that turmeric is an extremely valuable ingredient in skin care with limited associated risks outside of allergies.

Take our quiz to find out if turmeric is right for your skin type!

Is turmeric good for the skin?

Turmeric is good for most skin types because it soothes inflammation, kills acne causing bacteria, and eliminates free radicals that can cause lasting genetic damage to the skin. Some studies have also found that turmeric application can help in the synthesis of collagen, an essential structural component of the skin. (10)

This ingredient is safe for oily skin types because it is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not cause clogged pores, and it also lessens the risk of acne.

Dry skin types are also able to safely use turmeric because it does not strip sebum from the skin, nor does it limit sebum production.

Curcumin has been found to effectively bind free radicals which can lead to wrinkles and other kinds of permanent damage on the skin. (15)

Some studies even suggest that turmeric has a lightening effect on the skin making it a good candidate for hyperpigmentation treatments. (11)

Overall, turmeric is a versatile and useful ingredient in cosmetic skin care formulations that is safe and helpful for most skin types.

Is it safe?

Turmeric has been found safe by many independent research organizations for use in skin care products. (12)

Specifically, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) grade turmeric as extremely safe with no found risks.

If you are looking for an all in one ingredient for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hyperpigmentation treatments, know that turmeric is a studied safe candidate.

Side effects

There are currently no studies that suggest significant adverse effects following the use of turmeric in skin care. (13, 14)

The only realistic risk associated with turmeric use in topical skin care is an allergy, which is considered extremely uncommon for this ingredient. (14)

The only consideration that keeps turmeric outside of common use in skin care is its yellow color and strong smell which could be considered unappealing for certain circumstances.

Turmeric for acne

Ingredients like turmeric with antimicrobial properties are great choices for the treatment and prevention of acne. (17)

Acne is typically caused by a combination of clogged pores and the growth of relevant bacteria on the face. Since turmeric is able to soothe inflammation, pores are less likely to become clogged, additionally, killing bacteria on the skin makes them less likely to develop enough to cause acne.

Like many of the best acne prevention ingredients, turmeric does not itself clog pores and does not add oils to the skin.

If you are struggling with or are typically prone to acne, turmeric/curcumin products could be a great addition to your personal skin care regimen.

For Inflammation

Studies have found that turmeric interferes with inflammation through multiple mechanisms of action, including the inhibition of leukotriene formation. (16)

Turmeric has been found to have more potent anti-inflammatory properties than even ibuprofen. (8)

Inflammation can result in various kinds of discomfort on the skin including redness, itchiness, swelling, and the clogging of pores.

If your skin is sensitive and prone to inflammation, turmeric can be an excellent choice as an ingredient in your skin care products.

turmeric for sun damage

For Sun Damage

Turmeric is a great choice for treating sun damage in many instances because it is an effective antioxidant due its high presence of curcumin. (15) Sun damage can take different forms that can be seen in the peeling of burned skin, redness of burned skin, or an increased presence of wrinkles on the face.

It has been found in some studies that turmeric as a pigment in clothing is extremely good at blocking UV radiation. (19)

In topical uses, antioxidants like turmeric are able to bind the free radicals caused by radiation like UVB which stops them from causing genetic damage. Genetic damage from free radicals has a chance of causing various cancers.

For that reason, using an antioxidant like curcumin or vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol, etc. For a comprehensive list of antioxidant ingredients in skin care, check out our dictionary on the topic.

For Hyperpigmentation

Studies have found that turmeric is an effective ingredient for the treatment of hyperpigmentation conditions such as melasma. (18)

Curcumin has been identified as the most significant compound in turmeric as an effective tyrosinase inhibitor in studies. (19)

It is important to note that turmeric on its own does not adequately treat hyperpigmentation, but when used in formulations designed to treat hyperpigmentation alongside multiple other ingredients, it has demonstrated effectiveness.

Best Products with Turmeric

Here are a few dermatologist recommended products with turmeric or curcumin as an ingredient:

To find the best products for your skin type, take the quiz!

We will help you build an entire custom skin care routine.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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