Benefits of turmeric for skincare – a complete guide

By Ghazal Alagh, Founder Mamaearth

While we all know turmeric is good for health, few people realize just how powerful it can be for your skin. Turmeric is not just another spice used in Indian cooking; it contains curcumin, which is one of the best plant actives. Here are some of the most important reasons why turmeric is an essential ingredient in any skin care regime:

Protection from sun damage

Escaping the skin damage caused by the harsh rays of the sun is something all age groups struggle with. Luckily, turmeric contains a substance called phytonutrients. These phytonutrients protect the skin and prevent the sun damage caused by UV rays. So while a chemical sunscreen is something most of use, switching to a turmeric-based, toxin-free sunscreen can be much better for your skin in the long run. Mamaearth’s Ubtan Ultra Light Indian Sunscreen, for instance, uses turmeric as its main ingredient. It also contains cucumber extract which helps soothe sunburnt and tanned skin.

Brighter skin

Turmeric has a slight bleaching effect that leaves your face looking birghter. This is because turmeric also decreases the production of melanin, a pigment that gives skin its colour.

Anti-inflammatory

This is one of turmeric’s most important properties. It works really well for all kinds of skin inflammation, whether that’s an outbreak of eczema or a nasty bout of acne. It soothes the inflammation, treats discolouration, and fights the free radicals that cause cell damage, ensuring that the inflammation stays controlled.

Anti-Ageing

Turmeric increases the levels of two important elements in the body – collagen and fibroblasts. Collagen makes the skin look taut and young while fibroblasts help heal sounds. An increase in both collagen and fibroblasts will have the skin looking years younger.

Antifungal and Antibacterial

Turmeric works on a deeper level by inhibiting the growth of  bacteria and fungi that cause conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even dandruff. With regular use of turmeric, you can actually steer clear of many severe skin conditions.

Given the multi-faceted benefits of turmeric, using a turmeric-based facewash like Mamaearth’s Ubtan Face Wash helps your skin look bright and clean every day. The turmeric draws out all the impurities and toxins which get clogged within the facial pores. The face wash contains other ingredients like licorice extract and carrot oil that work with the turmeric to remove your tan and repair the sun damage. On special occasions you can also use the Ubtan Face Mask, which works deeper to brighten the face, remove spots, and tone the skin.

Indian homes have been using turmeric as a spot treatment for ages, whether it’s for small cuts or blemishes. Ayurvedic massages also use turmeric-infused oils as a key ingredient. Unfortunately, in the last few decades modern skin care products have ignored the power of this wonder ingredient. However, turmeric seems to be reclaiming its place as a magic tool for skincare with many natural cosmetics incorporating it in a big way.