By Angelica Bottaro
The skincare industry is worth roughly $140 billion USD, so it’s no surprise that different types of products are marketed to help you put your best face forward. People want their skin to look radiant, supple, and free of any imperfections. If filters have taught me anything, it’s that the way your skin looks can seriously change the look of your entire face.
Because of this, the skincare industry continues to churn out new products that promise you that your face will be as smooth, soft, and wrinkle-free as a baby’s behind. But only if you shell out your hard-earned cash and spend an hour every day applying these serums, elixirs, potions and lotions. There are a plethora of different ingredients used in skincare products today, and one such ingredient that is making waves lately is turmeric. But, what is it, and how could it possibly change the look of your skin?
What is turmeric?
Turmeric is a plant used for the most part to help give bland meals that extra oomph. While the spice itself has been used for ages in cooking, just recently, the beauty industry has caught wind of its medicinal benefits and, in doing so, developed a whole new skincare trend that may live up to the hype.
What are the skin health benefits of turmeric?
There are several health benefits of turmeric that can translate to a better and healthier-looking complexion. For example, the humble spice has been shown to reduce inflammation because of its active compound curcumin. The anti-inflammatory effects are documented in certain diseases such as arthritis; however, it’s thought that they translate pretty well into skincare.
Some research is examining whether or not it can help reduce inflammation caused by certain skin conditions, and the results are pretty promising. Skincare experts have concluded that the anti-inflammatory effects of the miracle spice may just help control or treat inflammatory acne. As a person who often has pimples pop up at the most inopportune times, that seems like an easy sell.
Turmeric packs a serious punch when it comes to antioxidants. In skincare, antioxidants have been shown to keep the skin healthy by stopping pesky free radicals from damaging healthy cells. Because of this, you can say goodbye to pesky hyperpigmentation, scars, and even wrinkles that may occur because of accelerated skin damage.
Are there any risks involved in using turmeric for your skin?
As is the case with any new thing you put on your face, there could be a downside. I know what you’re thinking—it sounded like a miracle a second ago. However, you have to have all the information before you go and start any new skincare routine.
While there are no known side effects, we are all unique, and our skin is too. That means that there’s always a chance that you may end up with an allergic reaction that leaves your skin looking anything but radiant.
The best thing you can do is try a patch test. This involves you putting a small amount of product or turmeric on your skin and waiting 24 hours. If nothing happens, you’re good to go. If a reaction does occur, it’s better that you veto the use of turmeric on your skin because it will do more damage than good.
How Can I Use Turmeric On My Skin At Home?
If you’ve been scouring the skincare aisle and haven’t found any turmeric-based products that you like or feel are worthy of their hefty price tag—because we all know the type of dent these products can leave in our wallets—you can go the DIY way and make a turmeric face mask yourself. It’s a straightforward process and honestly, paying for a bag of spice is a much more economical option.
Some turmeric face masks you can make include:
- Turmeric and Honey: Mix turmeric and honey with warm water and glob it on your face as you would any other mask.
- Lemon, Turmeric, and Yogurt: Combine the three ingredients together until a paste is formed. Then, face mask it up and let it perform its magic.
- Turmeric and Aloe: If one of your primary concerns is irritation, turmeric and aloe is the way to go. Mix them together, apply, and wait for the relief to roll in.
Leave the mask on for about 10 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. One thing I should mention is that turmeric can stain, like, bad. So, be careful when you mix the concoction and leave it on for no more than 10 minutes. But, if you notice a slight leftover hue on your skin, wash your face with milk. I know it sounds gross, but it works.
So, there you have it! According to the research, turmeric is a pretty good ingredient to include in skincare products, so spice up your skin’s life!
THE LIFESTYLE COLLECTIVE 